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Sustainability

Sustainability
Page 4
Here’s What to Know About the Differences Between Convection and Radiant Space Heaters
When you’re sitting at home, wrapped under 40 blankets in efforts to keep the electric bill down, knowing the difference between types of heaters is probably the least of your concerns. But rather than resorting to wearing your puffer coat indoors, understanding what space heater is best will allow you to pick the best one for your situation and may even cut back on your monthly expenses.
Melissa Epifano
Dec 23, 2020
This App Calculates Your Carbon Footprint and Lets You Offset It from Your Phone
All those flights, train rides, and Uber rides really add up.
Lydia Mack
Nov 27, 2020
IKEA Wants You to Go Green on Black Friday This Year
Yes it comes with step-by-step illustrated instructions.
Lydia Mack
Nov 27, 2020
I Finally Found a Sponge That Doesn’t Totally Gross Me Out
Regular sponges are basically small rectangular germ incubators, but this silicone options doesn't gross me out at all.
Shifrah Combiths
Nov 24, 2020
10 Organic Mattresses You Can Shop Now
Yup, they exist.
Nicole Lund
Nov 21, 2020
This 3D Printed Sustainable Cabin Gives New Life to “Waste” Wood
It projects and embodies an eco-friendly ethos.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Nov 11, 2020
This Feel-Good Facebook Group Will Solve All of Your Decluttering Problems
Joining your local Buy Nothing group and offering up your unwanted items is mutually beneficial to both you and any potential recipient, as you're not only decluttering, but also "gifting" something useful to someone else.
Shifrah Combiths
Nov 9, 2020
Want to be a More Ethical Plant Parent? A Biologist Answers 4 Questions You Didn’t Think to Ask
A simple tweak in your perspective could protect vulnerable ecosystems—and help garden-variety plant parents grow, too.
Ashley Abramson
Nov 10, 2020
This Sustainable Tiny Cabin Is Built to Withstand Tropical Climates and Blend In with the Mountains
It's flexible design leaves the surrounding environment untouched.
Jennifer Nied
Nov 6, 2020
The Starbucks Red Cups Are Finally Here—Here's How To Get One For Free
'Tis the season!
Ella Cerón
Nov 6, 2020
Jessica Alba’s Favorite Under-$30 Pan Has A Secretly Luxe Detail
It looks way more expensive than it is.
Ella Cerón
Oct 29, 2020
The Secret to Getting Rid of Food Smells As You Cook Is Already in Your Pantry
Brussels sprouts are no match.
Shifrah Combiths
Oct 28, 2020
Natural Bug Repellents to Keep Your Dinners Outside Bearable
There’s nothing like a swarm of mosquitoes or army of ants to ruin your time outdoors. Even though bugs are often useful, they can put a damper on picnics, BBQs, and simply chilling outside, and leave you with some nasty bites and stings. Thankfully it’s fairly simple to find ways to keep bugs away.
Melissa Epifano
Oct 24, 2020
6 Little Ways You Can Spend More Sustainably at Home (and Save Money, Too)
Try one of these cost-saving swaps.
Lauren Wellbank
Oct 20, 2020
A 304-Square-Foot DIY Tiny House on 16 Acres Is a Dreamy Off-Grid Paradise
There are vegetable gardens, fruit trees, sprawling forests, solar energy rainwater collection systems, and a truly STUNNING greenhouse/bathroom made from upcycled wood-frame windows, just to name a few of the amazing structures on this 16-acre homestead.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 21, 2020
The First Thing You Should Do When You Get New Shampoo and Conditioner
The one tiny change that can cut down on hair-washing time, reduce consumption and packaging waste, and save money.
Shifrah Combiths
Oct 8, 2020
IKEA Will Stop Selling Non-Rechargeable Batteries to Reduce Global Waste
Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries will be removed by next year.
Jessica Wang
Oct 4, 2020
These Stylish Velvet Couches Are Made From Recycled Water Bottles
Sabai, an eco-friendly furniture company, doesn't want you to sacrifice style for sustainability.
Jessica Wang
Oct 4, 2020
LEGO is Ditching Single-Use Plastic Packaging, Thanks to Some Smart Kids
LEGO announced it will phase out all plastic bags within its kits with recyclable paper packaging within the next five years.
Olivia Harvey
Sep 21, 2020
This 107-Square-Foot Cabin Is a Model Example of Sustainable Craftsmanship
The micro home honors the surrounding environment where it was built.
Nicoletta Richardson
Sep 8, 2020
The Best “Grown Up” Futons
image:415c2e7e33ce9d98b1087d352c8378b162311b6e w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" Growing up, the only type of couches my family owned were futons. I thought they were the coolest — you could change the covers, they expanded for sleepovers, and they seemed much more modern than an overstuffed sofa. Nowadays futons are more often associated with dorm rooms than cool furniture.
Rachel Wray Thompson
Sep 2, 2020
This New Home Collection is Like if West Elm and Eileen Fisher Had a Baby
Because they are having a baby—a new sustainable denim collection for your home!
Danielle Blundell
Aug 25, 2020
This Tiny House-Inspired Wooden Camper Can Comfortably Sleep a Family of 3
Each trailer is crafted with sustainable materials.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jul 28, 2020
The First 3D Printed House in the Czech Republic Could Float on Water
Would you live in a printable home?
Jessica Wang
Aug 2, 2020
These Homes Built on Stilts in Bali Are Like Luxe Treehouses For Adults
Oh, to be quarantined in a luxe treehouse in scenic Bali.
Jessica Wang
Aug 1, 2020
How One Scandinavian City Is Creating Low-Cost Sustainable Housing for Its Young People
It represents hope for the future of Stockholm’s housing market, which has been going through a crisis for the last few decades.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jul 29, 2020
You Can Save Big on Organic Bedding and Bath During Boll & Branch’s Summer Sale
The entire site is 20% off right now!
Nicole Lund
Jul 27, 2020
Experience Nature in Cozy Cocoon-Shaped Pods at This Eco-Friendly Resort
This seedpod resort takes eco-tourism to a new level.
Jessica Wang
Jul 26, 2020
Add One of These 11 Resourceful Kitchen Habits to Your Routine This Weekend
Weekend Projects
The goal isn't to completely streamline your kitchen into a waste-free zone. Just focus on one effort, and make it a habit you can sustain week after week.
Shifrah Combiths
Jul 21, 2020
Humane Rodent Control
I recently discovered evidence of mice in my apartment, err… actually, my cat discovered them for me. She’s a great hunter and tormentor but, as I discovered after a few hours, not a killer. Mice are one of the most horrifying things I can imagine in my home, so I’ve researched a few humane ways to get rid of them.
Kathryn Wright
Jul 18, 2020
How To Install a Dimmer Switch
Dimmer switches are great, not only do they provide opportunity for mood lighting and ambiance, but also save money due to reduced power usage. Almost all the lights in my home are on a dimmer switch, except for the bedrooms, where we’d actually like to have them the most.
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 18, 2020
The Ten Commandments of Buying Used Furniture
You see a chair on the curb. It’s sitting right in front of your building and it’s free. Or, you’re at the thrift store and spy a cheap sofa. But something holds you back. You’re just. not. quite. sure. If only there were guidelines — holy reminders if you will — of things to keep in mind while looking at used furniture. How do you decide if it’s the right thing to re-do? Or if you should run in the other direction?
Dabney Frake
Jul 17, 2020
Before and After: Stock Tank Gardening Project
I’ve been in love with galvanized stock tank gardens for a long time and posted a roundup of my favorites last summer. Finally, I’ve gotten the chance to exercise my green thumb and take the first, small step to adding a little style to the exterior of my home.After nearly a year of renovations to the interior of my home, I’ve finally had the chance to start adding a little curb appeal.
Michelle Chin
Jul 17, 2020
7 Ideas to Steal from the Boston Magazine Design Home
A couple weeks ago, I got to preview the beautiful Boston Magazine Design Home 2014 in Salisbury, Ma. While I was inspired by many of the rooms and green features of this net zero energy home, these were the seven décor ideas I wanted to steal for my own space: Note: While its eco-friendliness is a huge draw, I’m going to focus on purely decorating tips. To find out more about its energy efficient features, visit the Design Home website. Here are my seven decorating ideas to steal: 1.
Tara Bellucci
Jul 17, 2020
14 Foods You Can Re-Grow from Kitchen Scraps
That trash is treasure.
Erin Johnson
Jul 17, 2020
5 Ways To Use A Coat Rack (Other Than The Obvious)
Yesterday we talked about 12 different ways to use a bookcase in your home. Did you miss it? Check it out for sure as they’re one of the most versatile furniture pieces you can own. Today we’re back with a few more suggestions, but this time for the entryway staple: the coat rack.1. In The Bedroom: The harder we work to keep our closet items paired down the easier it can be to put a coat rack to use as a closet (especially if you use a small bookcase for folded items).
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 17, 2020
The Ultimate (Probably Practically Free) Dress Up Box Checklist!
Ssh! We’re putting together a dress up box for my kids this year for Christmas! To aid in my quest for putting together the best dress up box ever, I have made this handy “Ultimate Dress Up Box Checklist”. How many of these do you have in yours? Or, even better, waiting to add to yours, currently lying around your house? Used adult clothes: short dresses (they will become full length on a child) bridesmaid dresses (possibly cut short?
Alison Gerber
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: A Revived Wooden Mirror
After spending four muddy days under flood water this mirror was on top of a pile of trash, destined for the tip. Then I got sentimental and retrieved it. It was too wet and filthy to bring inside so it spent the next 6 months outside before I finally decided it was time to make it work or let it go. I toyed with the idea of painting it bright yellow but in the end I couldn’t do it, so I kept it simple and tried to return it to its former glory.
Sarah Starkey
Jul 17, 2020
7 Kitchen Waste Items to Use in the Garden
Composting kitchen scraps for use in the garden is a classic green living practice, but there are many kitchen waste items that can also be put to good use in other ways in the garden. From hot peppers to paper towel rolls, here are seven kitchen waste items to make your home and garden healthy and happy. Paper Towel Rolls: Trim them down to about 2 inches high and press them into the soil around seedlings, this serves as an added layer of protection from pests such as slugs.
Kathryn Wright
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: A Raised Garden Bed
During the last year, we focused mainly on fixing up the inside of our house. But 2011 is all about the outside, and we got to work before the holidays so we could eat out of our first food-producing garden come early spring. So far, so good. Take a look!We’re grateful that we have a lot of real estate to work with. Our first raised bed (the one pictured here) is four feet wide, eight feet long, and a foot and a half deep. It needed a cubic yard of dirt to fill it up!
Amber Byfield
Jul 17, 2020
How To Build A Raised Bed in a Metal Trough
Whether you call it a stock tank, a galvanized metal container, or a cattle trough (being from Texas, I prefer the latter), one thing’s for sure: these metal bins make for perfect and visually interesting raised garden beds. They’re cheap and come in a variety of sizes, so surely you’ll find one for your space. Then, follow these steps to create your own raised bed.
Amber Byfield
Jul 17, 2020
10 Things to Make With Felted Wool
As spring winds down, bringing the oh-so-hot temperatures of summer all the closer, we are knee deep in cleaning. In the midst of purging and decluttering, we’ve come across a handful of wool sweaters that really don’t need to make an appearance as apparel ever again. Here are 10 things you can do to reincarnate those tired old wool sweaters.Felting wool is as simple as washing an old 100% wool sweater in hot water.
Amber Byfield
Jul 17, 2020
4 Sources for Architectural Salvage in Chicago
Architectural salvage shops are increasingly popular destinations for designers, collectors, and remodelers, and for the home decorator looking for unique furnishings, there’s no better place to start a search. In part, salvage stores hold such wide appeal because the items there carry the forgotten tales of the past, and invite collectors to imagine creative reuse ideas.
Carolyn Purnell
Jul 17, 2020
A Safe Non-Toxic Sealant for a Wooden Highchair?
Q: What is a safe, nontoxic sealant for a wooden highchair? We have an old wooden highchair that has a tray with all the finish worn off. The tray had also broken in half where it was seamed together. I glued it together again, but I’d like to refinish it to make it easier to clean. It is in otherwise perfect condition and we want to use it for our grandchildren.
Cambria Bold
Jul 17, 2020
21 Things You Can Do With Lemons and Lemon Juice (That Don’t Involve Food)
Lemons are kind of a miracle to me. Their wizardly talents range from saving sailors from untimely scurvy deaths, to working equally as well in savory and sweet dishes. And on top of that, lemons are an ace all-natural cleaning agent to use around the house. Lemon is a cleanser and deodorizer that can work wonders for your skin, wardrobe or dresser drawers. Make a serum to calm your puffy, swollen eyes. Mix lemon juice with sugar or salt to create a deliciously smelling body scrub.
Taryn Williford
Jul 17, 2020
10 Natural DIY Citrus Cleaners
We are big fans of natural cleaners here on Apartment Therapy, and generally they are very easy (and inexpensive!) to make. I personally try to use citrus in my cleaning repertoire whenever I can because I find it to be an effect whitener and grease cutter, and it leaves the room I am cleaning pleasantly fragrant. Here are 10 of my favorite DIY citrus cleaners and cleaning techniques. Please share your favorites in the comments below! All Purpose: 1. How To Make Homemade Citrus Cleaner 2.
Kate Legere
Jul 16, 2020
The 10 Best All-Natural and Organic Mattress Sources
Buying a new mattress is a big investment, and knowing where to go to find the best options for your health and for the planet—not to mention for a sound night’s sleep— is key.
Cambria Bold
Jul 16, 2020
Before & After: Coffee Sack Upholstered Chair
You have to love a project that not only makes over a sad old chair but also reuses old coffee sacks. This creative re-use project not only features repurposed fabric but also looks great too! Check out the fantastic results after the jump.Many of you have seen similar chairs using grain sacks selling for a pretty penny, this step by step tutorial by Doesn’t Cost the Earth shows you how you can get the look for much less using organic coffee sacks.
Allison Verdoorn
Jul 16, 2020
Does Turning Down the Heat Really Burn More Calories?
In response to my recent post, Trying To Cut Down On Heating Costs? Go Gradually, a commenter wrote, “If I feel a little cold, I just tell myself that I am burning more calories when I am chilly… because that’s true.
Tess Wilson
Jul 16, 2020
7 Ways To Use Doilies In A Fresh and Modern Way
The word “doily” just sounds old and musty, doesn’t it? In reality, they’re small little works of art that can be found all over at local thrift stores and estate sales. After we mentioned using them as wall art yesterday, we thought a proper roundup was in order to showcase their true modern beauty. Here are 7 ways to put them to use and get them out of the linen closet!
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 16, 2020
Beautiful Oversized Hanging Plants
Plants are well known as great way to add some color, texture and life to a space, and when they also happen to be beautifully oversized hanging plants, they also bring the drama. We’ve rounded up some examples from our archives and around the web. 1. An oversized Boston Fern adds texture and brings character to the room. Gregory and Jenny’s Relaxed Hippie Bungalow Tour from Apartment Therapy. 2. Following curve of a staircase these Bears-Paw Ferns have a cascading effect.
Kim Lucian
Jul 16, 2020
Famous Writers’ Small Writing Sheds and Off-the-Grid Huts
When I hear the phrase “writing hut” or “backyard shed” my imagination practically squeals with delight. A small, intimate space furnished with the essentials. Low impact, high inspiration. This is probably why I love going to North Dakota and why I want to pull a Pollan and build my own little house.
Cambria Bold
Jul 15, 2020
Out of the Closet: How To Make a Rope Wrapped Hanging Clothes Bar
Tired of pulling my shirts, all wrinkled and creased, out of my over-stuffed closet, I decided to come out of the closet completely and create a hanging clothes bar in the corner of my bedroom. Say goodbye to these colorful (but useless) drawers-turned-shelves and hello to my new rope wrapped hanging clothes bar…This is actually a project I’ve had in mind for a couple of months.
Jason Loper
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Under Stair Storage Redo
Like many other small space dwellers, we have almost no closet or storage space in my home. The tenants before us took the first step to maximize the dead space under the stairs by removing a partition wall to open up the area, and installed a drop down hatch under the stair. Unfortunately they didn’t install a railing and instead only those awkward, sharp rectangular boxes — after several falls down the stairs it was painfully obvious something needed to change!
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 15, 2020
Energy Saving Task Lighting in the Kitchen: 10 LED Under Cabinet Lights
I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenon are all popular choices, but if you are looking to go the energy saving route, check out these LED options below:TOP ROW1.
Kate Legere
Jul 15, 2020
Tin Can Luminaries
Cook-outs on warm summer evenings need to be lit by something so you’re not left sitting in the dark. How about making some very inexpensive metal lanterns out of recycled tin cans? They’re easy to make and require minimal materials (unless you want to get extra fancy).If you’ve ever used a pumpkin carving kit for Halloween, you already have the skills to create a tin can luminary.
Michelle Chin
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: A Budget Garden Makeover
Since moving back to our rented home we’ve been slowly rebuilding the gardens around the house. Working with what we have and focusing on the growing-not-mowing philosophy, we turned the space near our front door in to a useable garden space for less than $20.Until recently the space was only used to access the hot water system.
Sarah Starkey
Jul 15, 2020
Pallet Furniture: How to Choose and Prepare Reclaimed Wood for DIY Projects
Pallet projects, in every possible form, were early guests to the DIY party and have stayed around ever since. Using them for the reclaimed wood certainly has its risks (more on that later), but you can’t beat the price (which is usually free). Here’s a guide to everything you need to know: finding, choosing, cleaning, and breaking down one for use. Once you know the what’s what, you can decide for yourself if they are worth the effort.
Dabney Frake
Jul 15, 2020
15 Hideaway Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
We firmly believe that it’s not how much space you have that determines how efficiently and comfortably you live; but rather how you design and organize that space. We have seen so many tiny spaces that have more storage than homes three times their size! The key is using all the filler, or empty, spaces available— the gaps beneath the floor boards, the crawl space underneath the stairs.
Cambria Bold
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: New Uses for Old Doors
After moving to Saratoga Springs, NY, which is famous for its horses and horse track, Lucianna Samu became obsessed with old horse stall doors. She began collecting and refurbishing the doors for projects around the house. Below are pictures of a liquor cabinet and a kitchen pantry that Lucianna created by hanging the doors on modern sliding rails.According to Lucianna, My advice is that the lighter the door, the easier and less expensive the installation.
Kate Legere
Jul 15, 2020
10 Well-Designed Windowless Kitchens
Last week I wrote about 10 Tiny Kitchens We Love and many of you remarked that one of the reasons that they were so great was the natural light they had. Well, living green often means living small. And living small means we don’t always get a window in our kitchen. So, here are 10 great kitchens that are windowless and fantastic at the same time.1 Check this great space out over at the Kitchn, using reflective surfaces and high ceilings you almost forget there is no natural light.
Allison Verdoorn
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Upcycled, Vintage, Budget Office Makeover
BEFOREDreary home office gettin’ you down? Take a cue from one of the lovely ladies of Fig & Sage who, after realizing the paint color on the walls made the office ‘depressing and lifeless’ in winter, transformed the room into… AFTER… a soothing, lavender-hued oasis with a wood door tabletop (salvaged from her basement), IKEA shelves and desk legs, two West Elm Parsons desks (scored for $15 each at an overstock warehouse), and neat, colorful organization.
Cambria Bold
Jul 15, 2020
Hot Tip: Deter Cats From Your Christmas Tree With Citrus
Cats and christmas trees are like salt and chocolate: they just belong together. If you have a furry feline who insists on scoping out your living room from half way up your Blue Spruce, here’s an easy way to keep them grounded for good! Try placing citrus peels like oranges and lemons under your tree skirt. In general most cats detest citrus and will keep their distance. As an added bonus, it will make your living quarters smell lovely and won’t harm anyone (albeit 2 or 4 legs).
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 15, 2020
A Collector’s Tiny 178-Square-Foot Apartment
We’ve seen our share of small spaces and teeny-tiny homes, but this one just might take the cake. This 178-square-foot apartment in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn belongs to 25-year-old Zach Motl. An avid collector since he was a child, Motl adheres to the “old decorating dictum that says the more stuff you put in a room (albeit artfully arranged stuff), the bigger it seems. More really is more.
Cambria Bold
Jul 15, 2020
8 Ways To Use a Bowl In Your Home
Cambria has recently mentioned her affinity for bowls in the home and I have to wholeheartedly agree. They’re perfect for use all around your space, not just for a bowl of cereal! Here are a few suggestions on how to get more from your bowls:Now admittedly the bowls in the photo above aren’t the greenest of nature but they still convey the point we’re looking to illustrate below. See where else you can put them to use (besides your tool chest) from the tips below!1.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 15, 2020
8 Eco-Friendly Blankets to Keep You Cozy and Warm
No matter where you live, a great blanket is key to making it through the winter. Blankets help keep the thermostat down a notch or two and are a super easy way to inject a little style into a space. A quality blanket will last for decades, but if you’re looking for some new throws, or need to stock up for expected overnight guests, be sure to check out this list of some of our favorite eco-friendly blankets.
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 15, 2020
5 Things To Do With Extra Sofa Pillows
The small pillows that came with my sofa upon purchase didn’t really accent anything as their name might suggest. I wanted something a little brighter and jazzier. Instead of keeping those pillows shoved in the back corner of the linen closet, try putting them to use with one of these 5 ideas:1. Remove The Covers: By removing the pillow covers, you can switch them out to be any color, pattern or style you want. It seems obvious, but is an easy one to forget.2.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 15, 2020
This Solar-Powered Tiny House Is a Charming Beach Hut on Wheels
If you can’t go to the beach, let the RV—I mean, er beach—come to you.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jun 16, 2020
5 Things You Might Not Know About Watering Plants
Not many around these parts are new to the idea of gardening or the growing of plants. Even though we’ve all been around the block a time or two, we thought it was a good time to brush up on some quick tips and facts about keeping things watered properly. Do you know the best time to water your plants is? This answer and more after the jump!1.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jun 14, 2020
How To Plant and Keep an Indoor Lemon Tree
When winter comes to Italy, the lemon trees potted in terra cotta get moved indoors. Every large estate has a sunny, ventilated room to store their lemons, known as a limonaia. Winter is when the trees bloom, and I’ve always imagined a room full of these as exquisite to the point of intoxicating. Worried about cold snaps, I’ve brought my Meyer lemon tree indoor and the smell of blossoms on just one tree greet me every time I walk in the house.
Guest
May 26, 2020
This Eco-Friendly Shipping Container House Is Suspended Off the Ground to Blend In with Nature
If you’re looking for green living inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.
Nicoletta Richardson
May 26, 2020
This Sustainable 290-Square-Foot Tiny House Can Be Configured Over 1,000 Ways
There's a built-in rainwater collection system, too!
Nicoletta Richardson
May 25, 2020