Organisation Tips For a Functional and Eco-Friendly Home

Of course, living a completely sustainable life is still quite difficult. But a good place to start is at home. In fact, we previously put together a guide on 'How to Design Your Sustainable Home'. But apart from cutting down on unnecessary belongings and using LED lightbulbs, changing the way you organise your household can also make a simple but meaningful impact.

That being said, here are some tips on organisation to turn your home into a functional and eco-friendly abode.

Repurpose old containers Give those empty boxes and containers a second life by repurposing them. From wooden crates to glass jars, they can all be turned into useful storage bins. Shoeboxes, for instance, can hold small items that normally go missing at home (like your keys or TV remote). Similarly, Apartment Guide has a tutorial to convert crates into bookshelves, and it's easy and fun to do in an afternoon. For glass jars, you can use them as chic flower vases for your flowers or succulents, so you can reap the benefits of your air-purifying plants. The possibilities are endless.

Opt for multi-use furniture No matter how big or small your home is, it isn't practical nor eco-friendly to keep furniture that you can't really maximise. To reduce your purchases and expand your space, it's good to invest in furniture that has multiple uses. In this regard, Home Edit compiled a list of multi-purpose items, like expandable tables, convertible mirrors, and even shape-shifting couches. This way, you'll get a chance to enjoy them over and over, compared to an expensive accent chair that's only pretty to look at.

Rethink your kitchen Out of all the rooms, kitchens are perhaps most likely to generate a lot of waste. True enough, Food and Wine state that plastic utensils are some of the most common items thrown into oceans. To counter this, refrain from using single-use items, and invest in good quality cutlery. From there, you can even mount a drying rack above your sink to make it easier to commit to your reusables. And according to HomeServe Living's list of organisation hacks, this also ensures that your any food waste goes directly into the sink—instead of spilling over onto the kitchen top or floor. It just goes to show how inter-connected every aspect of your kitchen is. The way you fix and arrange each part can make all the difference in terms of efficiency and helping you live more sustainably.

Rearrange your wardrobe By now, we're all aware of the harmful effects that come with fast fashion. But while it's great to invest in sustainable garments, it also matters how you store them. For one, you want to veer away from using standard plastic hangers, as the Business of Fashion reveals that billions of plastic hangers are thrown away annually. Instead, use eco-friendly cedar wood hangers, or be strategic in how you fold your items. Shirts can be folded into squares and stored upright to maximise space, while trousers can be folded into thirds. Plus, adding shelf dividers allows you to categorise and gives you a clearer view of your wardrobe.

While helping save the environment may seem like a daunting responsibility, it doesn't mean you have to make drastic changes immediately. These tiny yet mighty adjustments to the functions of your house will help make your home —and the world— a much healthier place for everyone.