5 Sustainable Living Tips You Can Easily Start at Home

Convenience has always been the name of my game, ever since I was a kid. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve guiltily opted for a Grab Food delivery instead of using all the ready ingredients I have at home to make a meal. At this point, I can be convicted of killing the earth for how much single-use plastic I’ve wasted just on takeaway food and drinks. And honestly, it’s been making me feel a little un-merry.

If you’re like me and want to start creating better habits that will save the environment and not harm it, I’ve compiled a list of sustainable practices that you can start incorporating into your daily life, in the comfort of your own home.

Here are 5 simple things you can do to be more sustainable this year

#1: Unplug all home electronics when not in use

Even when not in use, home electronics still consume energy. So to reduce your energy use, start with constantly unplugging any electronics or power strips that are no longer in use. These home electronics include computers, monitors, lights/ lamps, TVs, cable boxes, media systems (like speakers and the like), and household appliances.

A practice I’ve started lately to make sure I don’t accidentally burn my house down is taking pictures of all my electricity sockets to make sure they are turned off, especially after using a hot tool, like a blow dryer or hair straightener.

#2: Upcycle old furniture

Image Source: Good Housekeeping

Just like Marie Kondo, I love decluttering. So I get rid of anything that’s just catching dust on the shelf or any old piece of furniture that needs to be replaced because it’s no longer functional or looks good. Let me make myself clear: This is not the way to go. (I hang my head in shame.)

There are so many DIY how-tos and ideas on Pinterest, Google, and YouTube that you can easily fill your weekend with reviving older furniture/furnishings. You can try breathing new life into a scratched-up dresser by sanding it down and repainting it with non-toxic paint. Or you can swap out the hardware, such as knobs, for a different look.

Instead of just throwing away older furniture or household appliances, you can also opt to…

#3: Donate your things

Image Source: Peace of Art SG | @thephotograph.co, @acmhphotos, @whiterabbitand

One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, for sure. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up to a new sofa or dining set that a friend of my parents’ has kindly donated to my family.

Other than giving away your preloved items (household appliances, lifestyle items, kids’ toys, or clothes) to your direct circle of influence, you can also give them away to the likes of Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Or, when it comes back around, to The Sustainable Christmas Market, which Ohmyhome is honoured to have been a part of. Helmed by Peace of Art SG, in partnership with City Developments Limited and Singapore Red Cross, Singapore’s first-ever certified carbon-neutral Christmas Market raised almost $150,000 to provide aid for the millions in Pakistan affected by climate change.

#4: Buy second-hand

So coming from The Sustainable Christmas Market, which was held on 11th-12th November 2023 at South Beach, the importance of buying second-hand became even more apparent — especially because it was so easy!

Peace of Art SG’s Christmas Market isn’t the only place you can thrift — and there were so many amazing deals, from preloved luxury brands to used books (I gravitated towards that from the get-go. I got an amazing edition of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath for $3, thanks very much. That’s $20 less than what you’ll find in Kinokuniya, for the same edition).

To further reduce fashion waste, you can try clothes swapping at places like The Fashion Pulpit, where you can bring in preloved clothes and swap them from others in the shop.

#5: Reuse containers

It may be my Filipino ubringing, but basically, all the leftovers in my house are stored in takeaway plastic containers. Like, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for me to find spaghetti in an ice cream tub. Or frozen fish. Or chicken. Even plastic milk bottles are reused for water. So you could easily go this route.

There are so many more things you can do to reduce your waste, conserve energy, and basically make the world a better place. (Or at least a place that’s still liveable in your children’s children’s future.)

Our interior designers also know sustainable options for your paint or furnishings, or even more eco-friendly designs that you can incorporate into your home renovation. So if you’d like to get their opinion, or even just get a quote, you can contact us on WhatsApp. Drop us a message there and we’ll be back to you in less than a minute.

If you’re more set on what you’d like to do for your home, you can immediately schedule an appointment with our Renovation team. Simply fill up this booking form.