How to Make Your Next Renovation More Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

We're all trying to be more sustainable these days. Most of us have recycling down and know to cut back on plastic where we can, but home renovations are a less familiar territory.

If you're looking to make some upgrades to your house — maybe rip out an old bathroom or retile the kitchen — here's a guide to eco-friendly home improvements to help you make better choices when planning your reno.

What makes a house sustainable?

A sustainable house is one designed with the environment in mind. This mainly means things like limiting waste, being conscious of energy and using recycled materials.

Taking steps to make sure your home is sustainable not only benefits the environment, but also your wallet. Even though a bit more effort may be involved in finding the right options for you, the long-term outcomes are worth it.

How to plan your sustainable home renovation

Want to make your home more sustainable but feel a bit lost? Here’s where we recommend you start:

1 - Choose a style

Start by figuring out what feel and look you want the house to have. Do you want to keep its current style or change it up?

Choosing sustainable materials doesn’t mean compromising on style. These days, there are plenty of aesthetic, eco-friendly options that suit every look, so you can feel good about your choices and love how they look, too.

Ecoshack.com Founder Kim McFayden says: “Surfaces made with recycled materials such as tiles, carpets and bench tops can be just as aesthetically pleasing and durable as those without.”

Not sure what style to go for? Take our style quiz for some ideas.

2 - Figure out your goals

Ask yourself: What are your priorities in creating an eco-friendly space? What environmental concerns do you want to address? This could include cutting down on waste by using recycled materials, or being more energy-savvy by finding ways to reduce your aircon usage.

Do you want to fully renovate your house, or focus on a few energy-saving tweaks?

GreatBuildz.com Co-Founder Paul Dashevsky says this should be high on your to-do list: “The first step in sustainable home remodelling is to clearly define your sustainability objectives.”

“Whether your goal is to reduce energy consumption, minimise environmental impact or create a healthier living space, having specific objectives will guide your renovation decisions,” he says.

3- Factor in costs

Decide how much you want to spend on renovating to get a better idea of where you can afford to go more sustainable.

A bigger budget usually means you’ll be able to make a bigger impact, like installing solar panels on your home. But it’s not the only way to make a difference — you can absolutely make sustainable choices on a tighter budget by choosing eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient fixtures.

Even though some sustainable materials and systems may be more expensive initially, you’ll make up the costs in energy bill savings, according to Prepaid Electricity Co-Founder Nick Barber.

“Energy efficiency is one place where paying up front usually saves you money in three to five years,” he says.

Choosing sustainable materials

Sustainable materials can give you beautiful results while also being kind to the environment. Here’s a closer look at some different renovation material options:

Floors

Ripping up your old floors means new ones are on the cards too. And once you're in flooring mode, you quickly realise just how many options are out there — from textured tiles to timber floorboards, each with their own look and feel.

Kim explains: “The most sustainable materials for home renovations are sourced locally, made from renewable or recycled materials and are able to be recycled at the end of their life.”

We work with Noveco Surfaces to transform construction waste into stylish and long-lasting recycled tiles . Made in-house using 90% recycled glass, they’re perfect for your next sustainable home project.

Walls

If you’re looking to upgrade some worse for wear walls, you might think about tiles or paint.

Tiles already score well on sustainability because they last so long, and some options (like ours) are made from recycled materials, which is even more eco-friendly.

And while you can’t recycle paint, you can choose non-toxic options that are made to be easier on the environment.

Roofing

Roof restorations are a common home renovation. To get the most out of your new roof, look into using eco-friendly materials that will last and help insulate your home.

More common sustainable options are recycled metal, slate, clay tiles and recycled composite roofing. Keep in mind that a light-coloured roof can have an insulating effect, which can stop you from reaching for the aircon remote in the summer.

Thinking about energy efficiency

Renovations are the perfect chance to make your home more eco-friendly and energy efficient while you're already making changes. Here are some big and small sustainable projects that should help you use less power.

Insulation

Good insulation saves energy and money while making your home more comfortable to live in.

Taking steps such as sealing air leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to regulate your home’s temperature without using aircon or heating.

“Upgrading from single-pane to double- or even triple-pane, ENERGY STAR-rated windows, insulating the walls or ceiling and sealing air leaks are excellent options to deeply cut down on wasted energy,” Paul says.

Energy-efficient windows

Where your windows are positioned can reduce the need for heating.

As Kim suggests: “Consider ways to incorporate as much northern sunlight into the space as possible, enabling the house to heat itself.”

As well as that, she says you should: “position windows to enable cross-ventilation for natural cooling, reducing the need for air conditioning.”

Solar power

Switching to solar panels comes with many advantages, and they’re well-suited to our sunny weather.

Paul explains: “By installing solar panels, you can generate clean and renewable energy, reducing your reliance on the grid and lowering your carbon footprint.”

This further reduces your utility costs and ups your home’s kerb appeal.

LED lighting

While changing a light bulb or two doesn't count as renovating, lighting can be a part of bigger renovation projects, changing the overall feel of your home.

LED lighting is more efficient, energy-saving and long-lasting than other lighting options. They are also free of hazardous materials and are recyclable, rather than ending up in landfill.

Low-flow water fixtures

Prevent water wastage by introducing low-flow water fixtures into your home. These include showerheads, taps and toilets.

“These fixtures are designed to minimise water usage without compromising performance,” Paul says.

As with LED lighting, these fixes may seem small but will make a big difference to your quality of living.

Balancing sustainability and aesthetics

Choosing to renovate your home sustainably does not mean you have to compromise on style.

Wild Palace Co-Founder Arvid Lithander believes that being creative in upcycling and repurposing materials adds personality to a home.

“Things like using wallpaper cuttings to line shelves, or sourcing from local makers, always add soul,” he says.

If this isn’t your style, look at introducing second-hand furniture into your home, combining new and old decor to customise your space. This way, you can enjoy decorating whilst being eco-conscious.

Lithander adds: “When you design with intention, the results are naturally more beautiful.”

Planning ahead with a sustainable home

Even slight changes can significantly reduce the impact your home has on the environment. Starting off by making subtle improvements may help ease you into the renovation process before you undertake bigger projects. The important thing is researching what sustainable materials are available and which ones best suit your lifestyle, so you can make informed decisions that the environment and your future self will thank you for.

Your sustainable tile needs are sorted in our exclusive recycled tile range. Need extra help on which ones to choose? Book a free design appointment where we will walk you through different options and find the perfect fit for your home.