small ways to transform your home into an eco haven
Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on both our relationship with the environment and discover ways to contribute to a cleaner planet for the future. As a whole, homeowners and apartment dwellers are becoming more aware of how their lifestyles directly affect the environment and opting to make positive changes to reduce their planetary impact.
For many residents of the Front Range, environmentalism is directly tied to consumer choices, as evidenced by an abundance of eco-conscious businesses and a collective love of green spaces. Below are just a few ways that homeowners can adopt a more eco-minded lifestyle and deepen their relationship with the environment.
simple updates
When thinking about the easiest, most cost-efficient ways to create value in a home, start small. “For sellers that want to take on a project before listing their home for sale, I always have them think it through,” says Carmelo Paglialunga, Co-Owner of milehimodern. “You never know what will resonate with a potential buyer. Before diving into a huge renovation, start with a deep clean, fresh paint and fantastic staging.”
The first step of this process is to deep clean the entire home, especially high-traffic areas such as the living spaces, kitchen areas and mudrooms. Freshly steamed carpets, gleaming windows and scoured tile finishes make an immediate impact on potential buyers by allowing them to focus on the home’s features rather than normal wear and tear. General handyman tasks, such as light fixture installation and light carpentry, should be considered in this phase as well.
Home services are made simple with Willow, a concierge service that coordinates home maintenance with ease. Get in touch to create a custom home maintenance plan.
Once the cleaning is complete, sellers and brokers can identify which areas may need a fresh coat of paint. Ideally, the home will have a cohesive color story throughout — think neutrals, like greige and warm whites, that allow potential buyers to see the possibility.
the outdoors
Crafting a more eco-friendly outdoor space can be more complex than an easy product swap. Most eco-friendly yard upgrades require time and commitment in order to create a more sustainable environment. However, once these changes are implemented, homeowners can enjoy a vibrant, environmentally responsible backyard for years to come.
rethink the lawn
In an area plagued by dry spells and snowfall, maintaining a grassy lawn requires thorough and frequent watering. Although it may not be necessary to say goodbye to a lush backyard, incorporating Xeriscape elements — such as river rock and boulders — and choosing native plant life can help reduce water usage while still looking stylish.
help the pollinators
Pollinators such as bees and butterflies are facing a crisis fueled by irresponsible use of pesticides. Consumers can combat this dilemma on a larger scale by choosing organic, pesticide-free products. On a local level, those with backyards or a patio space can plant a pollinator garden filled with native flowers to add both color to an outdoor area and resources for our flying friends.
harvest rainwater
Some areas in the Front Range permit a rain catchment system, allowing homeowners to collect valuable rainwater to use in the garden or in other outdoor applications. Collecting rainwater reduces the use of water from an outdoor spigot and creates a backup system during times of drought. Check with your local authorities and homeowners’ association before installing rain barrels in your backyard.
the neighborhood
Residents of the Front Range are lucky to live amongst a variety of small businesses aimed at creating a less wasteful lifestyle. Below are just a few local organizations equipped with a vision of a better planet.
Nestled into Modern Nomad, a staple of the RiNo neighborhood in Denver, Homefill is a bulk retail store specializing in at-home care and cleaning products that support zero-waste living. BYO container, or select from a variety of reusable vessels.
As its name implies, Zero Market promotes living a zero-waste lifestyle by offering over 1,200 products that are completely waste or package-free.
Rebecca’s Apothecary // Boulder
Offering everything from bulk tea blends to dried botanicals, Rebecca’s Apothecary has made it possible to take a DIY approach to holistic health. Most products are packaged in recyclable or reusable containers with the option to BYO vessel.
Shopping both local and package-free can be a tricky endeavor, but Nude Foods Market has combined these eco-friendly features and provides the additional bonus of delivery by either bike or electric car.
Participating in a CSA (community supported agriculture) crop share directly benefits local farmers and allows participants to develop a deeper relationship with their food — resulting in less food waste and a more profound impact on the community.
SUBSCRIBE
to stay in the know
Your monthly dose of significant properties, seductive architecture, influential design, art that matters and community happenings.