Buying an apartment not only affects your life but also the environment. Especially in modern or renovated apartments, there are many simple ways to implement sustainability—even without major renovations. In this blog post, we show you how to reduce your ecological footprint with effective measures while simultaneously enhancing your living comfort.

Comfort Meets Ecology: Smart Home Technologies

One of the most effective ways to make your household more sustainable is through smart home technologies. They not only reduce energy consumption but also increase comfort. A smart thermostat first learns the user's habits and then automatically adjusts the room temperature. The heating system can be conveniently controlled via an app, even when you're not at home.

A similar win-win effect is offered by intelligent lighting solutions. These automatically adjust brightness to daylight, ensuring consistent illumination while minimizing energy consumption. An energy-efficient lighting schedule can also be achieved through motion detectors or timers. If you want to keep an eye on your electricity usage and identify potential savings, you can use an app. Some apps can even be connected to smart devices, enabling real-time consumption monitoring.

Natural Living, Eco-Friendly Beautification

Even if you cannot undertake major renovations of the entire building, small improvements can be made using sustainable materials. In most cases, the positive environmental impact goes hand in hand with an improved quality of life. A fresh coat of paint in the latest trend color can be applied using eco-friendly, natural-based paints instead of conventional chemical-heavy ones. These are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them more environmentally friendly while also improving indoor air quality.

For flooring renovations, sustainable alternatives are available. Bamboo is a fast-growing raw material with durable properties, making it an excellent choice. Cork is another sustainable option, offering sound and thermal insulation. Both materials improve room acoustics and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

When it comes to furniture, it's worth asking: Does it really need to be new? Perhaps upcycling—restoring or repurposing old pieces—is an even more charming option. Reviving old furniture reduces waste and avoids the resource-intensive production of new items. Using reclaimed materials also allows you to personalize your home and give it a unique character.

Cleaning Methods and Air Quality in Harmony

It’s no secret that many conventional cleaning products contain aggressive, environmentally harmful chemicals. That’s why it’s worth switching to natural and non-toxic cleaning agents such as vinegar, baking soda, and citric acid. Vinegar works as a descaler, baking soda as an all-purpose cleaner, and citric acid as a disinfectant—all benefiting both surfaces and the environment.

When using store-bought cleaning products, certified eco-friendly options should be preferred. One of the greenest ways to improve indoor air quality is with houseplants. Some plants—such as peace lilies or ivy—even filter pollutants from the air. In combination with an air purifier that removes additional contaminants like formaldehyde or pollen, they can significantly enhance air quality.

Homegrown Food and Solar Energy

If your apartment has a balcony, there are additional ways to live sustainably. For instance, you can use it for energy generation and food cultivation. Growing your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables simultaneously reduces the carbon footprint of your food. This is especially useful in areas with limited access to fresh produce, providing a clever way to be more self-sufficient while promoting biodiversity.

Alternatively or additionally, a small photovoltaic system can be installed on a sunny balcony. The self-generated electricity can be used for lighting your home or powering small household appliances—lowering energy costs and reducing CO₂ emissions.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Sustainability doesn’t always require major renovations. Often, it’s the small, individual measures that make a significant impact. By using smart technologies, eco-friendly materials, sustainable cleaning products, and making clever use of your balcony, you can create a more environmentally friendly home while increasing your living comfort.