When remodeling a bathroom, you have to choose the interior design style, select the colors, materials and equipment. Then you get to pick furniture, tiles and fittings. You want to design an interior that is comfortable, functional and visually attractive. During the design stage, it is worth considering what impact will your choices make on media consumption and the natural environment. An environmentally friendly bathroom is not only about a nature-inspired design. An eco-conscious bathroom means choosing equipment that allows you to reduce water and electricity consumption and changing your habits. Discover ways to create an eco-friendly bathroom during your next bathroom remodeling project.
Tips For an Environmentally Conscious Bathroom Remodel
Supporters of eco-bathrooms pay attention not only to using natural cosmetics and cleaning products that are safe for the environment, but also to the consumption of utilities (electricity, water, etc.), and to equipping the interior with nature-friendly furnishings and fittings.
An eco-friendly bathroom is one of the latest interior trends in recent years. The style and new equipment models appeared as a response to needs for solutions that are sustainable – both in design and performance. Environmentally friendly bathroom equipment should allow for lower consumption of water and electricity. But it’s not just about water-saving faucets and toilets, it’s also about changing everyday habits and using your resources responsibly.
Being pro-ecological also means choosing the right type of materials for your interiors. Natural materials, such as wood and stone, are the most popular choice in a sustainable bathroom. Indoor plants are widely used to decorate such interiors, as they give your home a sense of calm and warmth.
An eco bathroom has one more huge advantage. Through its strong reference to nature, it introduces an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Grays, whites, beiges, browns and greens are colors that are rooted in nature. These earth tones will give your space a sense of relaxation and ease.
Sustainable Bathroom Design Strategies and Cost Savings
Nature-inspired design is one thing, but for the bathroom to be truly sustainable, you should also choose appliances and equipment that will help you manage your resources responsibly. What’s more, these pro-ecological solutions also allow you to make huge savings – environmentally and financially.
Eco-friendly Products and Equipment For the Bathroom
A dual flush button allows you to choose between two volumes of water, depending on your needs. In most cases, less water is sufficient to effectively flush the toilet. The very use of a smaller volume of flushing water generates savings of at least 5 gallons of water per day.
Single-lever water and temperature control will facilitate and significantly accelerate setting the water to the right temperature. In addition, it will allow you to run a stream of water of different intensity. In most cases, you only need a gentle spray to wash your hands.
Batteries with a thermostat – this solution allows for even greater savings. How does it work? Water will run from this type of battery only when it reaches the desired temperature.
A special coating on ceramics and on the walls of shower cabins – on the market there are currently models of shower cabins, bathtubs, toilet bowls, bidets and sinks with a special coating, which facilitates drainage of dirty water, which prevents the formation of sediments and unsightly stains. In practice, this means less frequent and much easier cleaning. What’s more, it also eliminates the need for harsh cleaners to remove limescale and other residue. Mild eco-friendly detergents will be enough to make your bathroom sparkle. Bathtub or Shower -The Big Bathroom Remodeling Design Decision
A faucet with an aerator will give air to the water stream, which will make the stream slower. Moreover, it will save half of the water left out by an ordinary faucet.
Rimless toilets and antibacterial toilet seats can reduce the accumulation of stubborn impurities. Again, you won’t need to use strong detergents, so you won’t release them into the sewage system.
A sink integrated with a toilet water tank is one of the more innovative solutions that has only recently been available on our market. A system of special tanks and cleaning mechanisms allows the use of hand washing water to flush the toilet. According to user reviews, this solution gives immediate huge savings in water consumption. Systems based on the use of rainwater for flushing the toilet work similarly, but this requires the implementation of an appropriate installation at the construction stage.
Designing an Ecologically-friendly Bathroom
During a bathroom remodel everything is open and ready for an update, so focus on investing in durable and high-quality equipment and materials.
Stone and wood allow not only to create an aesthetic and attractive eco-style arrangement – they are classic textures that provide a timeless design that will serve for many years. Investing in good, durable materials eliminates the need for frequent bathroom renovation jobs and equipment changes in the future.
Reducing the generation of unnecessary waste is also an important element of the pro-ecological strategy. If the bathroom has access to natural light, it’s worth letting in as much sunlight as possible. If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, that’s ok. Using energy-saving light bulbs and fluorescent lamps will significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Consider which items and materials can be upcycled. Bathroom furniture, decorations and even old bricks turned into tiles will not only create an original interior design, but also fit perfectly into the eco-friendly bathroom revolution.
Sustainable Bathroom – Practical Advice
Investing in sustainable equipment is one thing, but it is also worth working on the daily habits of the household members. Even if you’re not planning a bathroom remodel, you can implement certain solutions that will protect the natural environment and save you some money. These include:
- Taking a quick shower instead of a bath. Installing a shower cabin instead of a bathtub will guarantee huge savings in water consumption. When designing a new bathroom, be sure to insert a shower cubicle in it – it will benefit the environment and the home budget.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. This is one of those habits that you may do unconsciously. Use a cup filled with water or turn off the water stream when you do not need running water.
- Limit the use of chemicals and use natural cosmetics – everything that we rinse off during a shower or a bath ends up in the sewage system. The more natural and non-toxic ingredients they have, the less damage they have for the environment. Read the labels and choose detergents and cosmetics that are environmentally healthy.
ProInstall Chicago Remodelers
Are you thinking of updating your bathroom and making it more sustainable and economic? Not sure which solutions to choose? Call professional bathroom remodeling contractors right away! You can reach us at: (630) 362-4195. We’ll help you with your bathroom remodeling project, no matter how big or small. Our experience and our team of qualified Chicago remodelers allows us to deliver a project that meets your goals and fits your budget.
