When entering your new house or planning a renovation, the first few things you probably thought about were the drapes, furniture, upholstery, decor, and kitchen essentials. The list goes on and on, doesn’t it?
To your surprise, there’s no shortage of availability of what you were looking for in all the products. What amused you the most was how to choose what was right for you. So, you jotted down the requirements one by one in the first place. While choosing what was right, you realized that there are different dimensions to a choice. You had to keep in mind that your choices had to be kid-friendly, senior citizen-friendly, and pregnant-friendly (you were in that phase at the time!).
Let’s now dive into the top three things to consider while buying home essentials (you decided to go eco-friendly with all your choices):
- Technical Requirements
The following points are different for each of us, and we must consider them before making a choice for our home:
Locations
Budget
Space availability
Number of members in the family
Habits, age, and physical abilities of each family member
Comfort levels with certain activities or chores in the house
Pet-friendliness (for those who have pets in the family)
Neighborhood requirements
All these factors must be at play in your mind before deciding on anything for your home. These factors will influence the materials you choose, the design of the items, and how much of your total budget should go toward each decision.
For example, a family with infants or babies needs to be doubly sure of specific health requirements, such as allergies, water sources, fire hazards, etc. Families with older kids or “couple-only” homes may not need to consider these factors as much.
Since at the time of moving in you had a six-year-old and were expecting, these were major factors that influenced your decisions.
- Aesthetic Looks
Consider the following aspects to make your space look aesthetically pleasing:
Dimensions of your space
Shape of the space
Brightness / natural light available
Functionality of your furniture
Wall/ceiling color
Age and requirements of your family members
Material of your flooring
Need for storage space in certain areas (this often influences the design of immovable furniture)
Your taste—do you prefer grandeur, traditional, contemporary, minimalist, or fusion?
Whether you want a theme for your space
Your color preferences—do you prefer an even tone or a splash of colors?
The ratio of open space versus decorated space
In our opinion, keeping these requirements in mind makes the process easier when beautifying any space. Many of these points are interrelated and will help you decide on the others.
For example, if you decide that you like grandeur, you’ll know exactly what type of upholstery and furniture will make you happy. On the other hand, if you are a minimalist, you’ll need a different kind of upholstery and furniture, and you’d likely want to keep a good part of your space empty.
- Health Factors
The most important factor for creating a home that supports healthy living is considering the following:
Age and condition of your family members
Allergies and whether anyone is undergoing treatment
Having pets in the house
Whether you’re willing to dispose of all plastic items and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives
Your drapes, curtains, carpets, and upholstery should be made from sustainable, natural fabrics—even if it means spending a bit more. Trust me, it’s worth the investment and will likely save you a few visits to the doctor.
The kitchen essentials you choose should also support your health. It’s not just about the food, but also the quality, cooking techniques, and the vessels used for cooking and storage that determine your health.
Ensuring your layout maximizes natural sunlight inside the house.
Choosing a waste segregation method for your home—this will help with the sanitation of your space.
Deciding whether you will go for composting (it’s easy, and we highly recommend it!). It only requires a change in some basic habits.
Using natural and non-toxic pest control methods.
This list was created based on your own journey, and it will help you create a greener, more sustainable, and eco-friendly home. Trust me, you can save a lot of money as you go along.
As we mentioned, the effort needed is more psychological—changing some of our age-old habits. Once that shift happens, there’s nothing stopping you from creating a space that brings you closer to nature. Small changes truly go a long way. So, happy home-making and healthy living!