Features I Look For In My Future Sustainable, Eco-Home!
Please note that this post is sponsored by Brazilian Wood Depot, but all opinions are my own.
I think we can all agree that the Pandemic has posed great challenges to the worldwide economy, and people’s daily lives have significantly changed since the start of the outbreak. Luckily, times of crisis also create strong drivers of creativity and innovation! In my case, it has given me the opportunity to reconnect with my artistic side – something I will forever be grateful for.
I’m also in a weird phase of life. Being 25 years old sometimes SCREAMS quarter-life crisis. Some of my friends are getting married, some are traveling the world, and others are having kids and buying homes. A part of me wants to be young, wild and free, but the other part wants to plan for my future and be a responsible adult. The Libra in me needs balance at all times, meaning I want it all! Keeping this in mind, I’ve been spending a lot of my free time looking into cute, minimal homes on Pinterest and HGTV.
My boyfriend Josh and I frequently talk about what we’d like our future home to look like. One thing’s for sure: we value quality over size. We’re not too crazy about big homes, but we do want to make sure we have a sustainable home, made with high-quality products. Curious to know which features we value and look for in our future home? Then, keep on reading, my friends!
Organic Garden
Having a garden is a great way to clear the mind, enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. It’s also amazing knowing that you can actually eat the fruits and vegetables of your labor. I’ve been interested in sourcing my food from local farmers versus grocery chains for a while now. I want to take this up a notch and plant my own fruits and vegetables. It’s a lot of work – I get it! But isn’t it amazing knowing that you’re growing your food while also helping the environment? Not to mention, you’re also staying busy, which is an essential part of the human experience. When growing your own food, your diet automatically becomes more diverse and healthier, packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You also save money! Gardening is also a great way to absorb Vitamin D.
Image from Unsplash
A Deck & Outdoor Area
Nice, outdoor areas are something I truly value. I love being able to go outside on a Saturday morning and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee – and because of it, I want to make sure I have a nice deck with an outdoor space. I’ve been looking into Brazilian Wood Depot and all the incredible things they can do for your home! Brazilian Wood Depot stocks several popular species of Brazilian Hardwoods for Decking, Siding, and Flooring. These species are some of the hardest in the world and include Ipe, Cumaru, Massaranduba, Jatoba, Purpleheart, Tigerwood and Garapa. Their lumber is 100% natural with no added chemicals or treatments, which are harmful to our atmosphere and the surrounding environment! If you’re interested in learning more about Brazilian hardwood vs composite decking to find the best match for you, be sure to check out this company!
Photo Courtesy of Brazilian Wood Depot
Natural Lighting
Natural lighting will always be key – I also rely on it for my job. Not to mention, it’s beautiful. I would like to have open spaces with lots of windows, allowing the natural light to come in. While light bulbs will still be needed, we want to make sure we’re using energy-efficient LED bulbs over traditional incandescent light bulbs, which waste a lot of energy.
Solar Panels
Yes, I get it – applying solar panels to your home is a huge expense, but I see it as an investment and definitely on my radar. Clean solar energy is a stable investment, offering significant financial returns. Solar energy provides the added benefits of protection from increased utility charges, favorable tax treatment, and very important environmental benefits. In addition, solar panels are best-suited for homes that receive sufficient sun exposure throughout the year, so location will be important for sure!
Smart Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat in your home saves you a ton of money on heating and cooling, so this is unquestionably a must. According to Nest, the average savings are estimated between $131 to $145 per year. Smart thermostats basically ensure your HVAC system won’t be running unnecessarily when no one is around – this is why they’re smart!
The list can honestly go on and on, but this is a start! I value many things when it comes to an ideal home, especially as it relates to sustainability. What features do you value? Leave them in the comments below!
