In New York, it can be appealing to remodel your apartment or townhome with the goal of adding style, sustainability, and maximize the use of your space. Perhaps you have already found an architect in Elmsford, NY, that is been showing you a variety of design options.
Still, as you start the process, you might have questions about how to improve the overall sustainability of your home as well. After all, more and more buildings are moving toward creating green home. In the greater New York metro area, sustainability within your home can also be a way to reduce your carbon footprint, particularly as an urban dweller. However, many individuals worry that by focusing on sustainability, they may have to give up stylish aspects of design within their living space. Here are six ways to achieve a green home without foregoing style.
Make Sure Your Big Purchases Have Environmental Benefits
The truth is that when you are doing a remodel, the first thing to look at is the type of appliances you are putting back in. Depending on how large the remodel is, you might find it is a good time to replace an outdated furnace and air-conditioning system with more energy efficient models. Do this with all appliances that you are purchasing.
If there is a solar option, consider adding that as well. These are the ways to reduce your environmental impact. Today, many of these appliances and bigger purchases are also budget friendly. Plus, you can still choose stylish pieces or get a retro look without giving up that energy-efficiency.
Be Water Wise
As you design the interior of your home, it can be easy to be distracted by the beautiful faucets and other pretty options available. However, you also need to look for options that are beautiful and offer low flow, thus helping to reduce your water consumption.
Not only does it help your budget, but it also is environmentally friendly in terms of water usage. Water heaters can be a waste of energy and water, as you have a holding tank of water that must be continually reheated. Tankless water heaters allow you to get the hot water you need when you need it, without having to waste energy heating gallons of water over and over again.
Plan for Energy Efficient Lighting
Making a small space feel bigger often starts with changing out the lighting, making it feel brighter and more spacious. Clever lighting choices can use windows and skylights to help increase natural light coming into the space. Then the lighting you choose can be energy-efficient, allowing you to still have beautiful design choices without sacrificing environmentally friendly LEDs, halogens, and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Energy Wise Construction and Design Materials
Working with a qualified architect in Elmsford, NY, you can maximize the environmental and sustainable options in your construction and design materials. That means choosing items that are sustainable, such as bamboo flooring or water-saving toilets. The point is that your architect can help you find the right renewable materials and maximize your budget and sustainability.
Choose energy efficient windows and make sure that you have the right amount of insulation. Doing so will mean you use less energy, making these choices environment and budget friendly.
Use Various Design Techniques to Maximize Storage
Working with an architect, you have the ability to take your space and maximize every square inch. Instead of choosing bulky furniture pieces with limited purpose, choose materials and furniture that are sustainable and can function for multiple uses. In many New York spaces, the reality is that square feet are limited. You may only have a few hundred square feet in your apartment, for instance.
Sustainable design helps a space feel more open, but also keeps your costs down in terms of the amount of materials that you need.
Choose an Architect to Manage Your Remodel Project
The efficiency and sustainability that you want to put into your green home is going require that you tap into experienced architect to help you manage your renovation, helping you to find the right materials and sustainability options, while reflecting your personal style or the latest modern designs.
Our team can help you to have an amazingly successful renovation, right from the start. Contact us today to set up an appointment to talk about what you want in your renovation and how to create a green home during the process.
Located in the Greater New York area, Jeffrey Jordan Architect specializes in the design of high-end projects such as luxury apartment and townhouse renovations, schools, churches, temples and offices.