14 Ways To Future Proof Renovations: Designing Smart and Eco-Friendly Homes
If you’re thinking about renovating you need your home to be future proof. While we want spaces to be beautiful and functional, future proof renovations will be both smart AND eco-friendly.
Renovating is an exciting way to create the home YOU want for your lifestyle and budget. However, future proof renovations need tech-savvy and planet conscious design solutions. Can you transform your home into a sustainable oasis and have the lifestyle you choose? Let’s explore that further.
Smart home concept design by Plush Design Renovations
Start with Sustainability for Future Proof Renovations
When it comes to renovating for sustainability, the key is to maximize the potential of what you already have. Reusing, repurposing, and reducing waste are at the core of our approach. Here are some tips to get started:
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Most people know to swap out traditional light globes for energy-efficient LED lighting. LED or Light Emitting Diodes are more expensive but they use less electricity and last much longer.
New lighting relies on a lumen measurement not a watt or wattage and you don’t need a high wattage to get a bright light. However more lumens will produce more light.
Windows and Insulation
In the average Australian home, heating and cooling accounts for around 40% of the energy used. Upgrading to double glazed windows and installing energy-efficient insulation will drastically reduce heating and cooling costs whilst keeping your home comfortable year-round.
If you live in a bush fire prone zone, you will also need to install fire rated windows. The most fire-resistant windows are dual pane, tempered glass which provides significant fire protection. Further, they have significant insulation and energy conservation advantages.
Recycled Materials
Opt for recycled or reclaimed materials in your renovation. From reclaimed wood for flooring to recycled glass countertops, there are many eco-friendly options. Not only will your home be more unique but you’ll also be helping to ensure useable materials aren’t tossed into landfill.
Water-Efficient Fixtures
Install low-flow shower heads, water-saving toilets and sinks with auto-shutoff mechanisms to reduce water consumption. Speak to your plumber about using high-density polyethylene pipes (HDPE) which are durable and eco-friendly for water distribution systems.
Consider a rainwater harvesting system for outdoor use and feeder tubes for watering plants direct into the soil. To be smart and eco-friendly, futre proof renovations need to consider both interior and exterior solutions.
Organic shapes, natural finishes, natural light, biophilic design, by Plush Design Renovations
A Tech-Savvy Touch
Embracing technology is a must for your future proof renovations, however that doesn't mean sacrificing style. You can seamlessly integrate smart home features in four key areas;
Smart Thermostats
These allow you to remotely control the temperature in your home and for the system to learn your preferences. If you are out shopping or at work on a hot day, remotely cool your house before you get home. Conversely, warm it up when the weather is cold. Or control the water temperature in your washing machine.
Home Automation
From smart locks to voice-activated assistants, you can automate various aspects of your home for convenience and security. However, home automation to future proof renovations will also include powering down any unused electrical items, efficient electrical distribution, intuitive programs to close windows and draw curtains, and systems that ‘talk’ to each other.
Solar Panels
Imagine your roof as one big solar panel. It will be possible to install your solar panels as your roof, generate your electricity, and store excess in a battery similar to what is done today. Further, future solar panels will be far more powerful with the ability to harness even much more solar power with far less sunlight.
Energy Monitoring Systems
These systems provide real-time data on your energy consumption, helping you make informed decisions on usage. Data can be relayed via your mobile device and remotely so you can fine tune your energy consumption, anywhere anytime.
Living room concept with natural stone walls and energy efficient elements by Plush Design Renovations
Personalised For Your Lifestyle
One of the joys of renovating is that you can tailor your home to your unique family dynamics and lifestyle. Here's how to make it truly yours:
Open Concept
Create open floor plans by knocking down unnecessary walls to create an open, airy space that suits your family's interaction and entertainment needs.
However, also consider the traffic flow, noise control, and privacy when opening up your home. There are architectural elements to consider not simply removing walls.
Space planning is very important to future proof renovations because your renovation should enhance your lifestyle. So understand how your spaces work, how you move in them, their purpose, and your own way of living in a home. If you need help with space planning, or any renovation assistance, please contact Plush Design Renovations.
Custom Joinery
Have an experienced interior designer create custom joinery and storage solutions that fit your specific requirements. These may include all wet areas, home office, walk-in robe, linen closet, and joinery for awkward spaces.
Include smart home ideas into your joinery to make life even easier. For example, auto lighting, auto closing doors and drawers, smart rubbish removal, and storage for all your home automation equipment so it’s seamless and stylish.
Multi-Purpose Rooms
If you have a small space, think about multifunctional rooms. A guest bedroom could double as a home office, or a playroom could also serve as a yoga studio. In the future, more families may be living in smaller spaces so maximising your space will be very important.
Double duty furniture such a storage ottoman, fold-down dining tables, sofa beds, disguising a TV with an art work panel, or furniture that can be recessed into the wall or floor may be components of future renovating projects.
Natural elements, earthy colours, and indoor plants are all now and future decor ideas, by Plush Design Renovations
Stylish And Sustainable
Who says being planet-conscious means sacrificing style? In fact, sustainable design can be incredibly chic. Think about the following design elements:
Natural Materials
Incorporate natural materials like bamboo, cork, clay, natural stone or reclaimed wood for a warm and inviting feel. Accessorise with wool, linen, cotton, silk, mohair and other natural fibres.
Earthy Colour Palette
Earthy tones, like soft greens and warm browns, can create a calming atmosphere that's both stylish and eco-friendly. When mixed with natural materials and plant-life, experiment with leafy greens, burnt orange, inky blues, mustard, creams, and chocolate tones.
Indoor Plants
Houseplants not only add a pop of green but also improve indoor air quality. Biophilic design is becoming very popular as we humans seek to connect further with nature. House plants, vertical garden walls, rockeries, mosses and flaxes add texture and interest both indoors and outdoors.
At Plush Design Renovations, we are passionate about creating safe and attractive spaces for everyone. With your renovation project, consider ways to make your home more inclusive and accessible.
Did you know that an interior designer can organise all selections and deliveries for you? They will generally offer a design management service which takes care of all the design aspects during the renovation, through the defects period, and afterwards. Interior design is not an expense, it’s a service that will save you time and money.
Dream Big
There is definitely much to consider in the pre-planning of your home renovation.
If you need more help, please reach out to the small team at Plush Design Renovations for an initial consultation to get you on the right track.
There are plenty of great blog articles here on Plush Design Renovations. However you may like to read our blog post on ‘Concept to Reality’ and how to plan a successful home renovation.