Working from home is a real blessing in this day and age, and not just for you. By working from home, you’re doing Mother Nature a big favor, since you’re not using transportation, which translates to the reduction of fuel consumption. To take things one step further, consider creating an eco-friendly workspace at home. There are many ways to go green in your home office – from installing natural flooring and energy-efficient lighting to the reduction of waste and following the three Rs of eco-friendliness, you too can turn your home office into a sustainable working environment. Here, we’re laying out five awesome tips for creating an eco-friendly workspace – read on to learn what they are.

Follow the three Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle

When it comes to preserving the environment, following the three Rs of eco-friendliness is a great place to start. First, you need to reduce the amount of waste you’re producing in your home office – avoid using printers as often and opt for electronic equipment that will help you create a paperless office. In addition, buy sustainable or used office furniture to make it greener, and introduce several recycling bins in your office to make sure your workspace is both eco-conscious and clutter-free.

Consider natural flooring options

Australia is one of the countries that are known for their sound environmental policies and both its consumers and businesses are concerned about environmental sustainability. Because of the emphasis they put on preserving the environment for the future generations, many Australian homeowners who work from home try to reduce their carbon footprint and opt for brands that are in line with sustainable living. Many of them choose natural stone tiles from Canberra – manufactured from recycled materials, tiles are the perfect way to modernize your office space and give it an elegant look. There is a wide range of colors, sizes, and textures of tiles available, so you can find the ones that best suit your taste and preferences.

Go green by converting to natural alternatives

There are so many harmful pollutants indoors that we aren’t even aware of. The paint on our walls, our cleaning supplies and even the air fresheners we use on a daily basis, they’re all full of harmful toxins and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Not only do they have a negative effect on our health, but the vapors can cause painful migraines which worsen in number as the time goes by. That is why it’s important to keep your home office fresh and airy and switch to natural alternatives to help preserve the environment. Choose no-VOC paints for your office, and only use natural products to clean your workspace. Chlorine and bleach are found in many commercial cleaning products, so it’s better to make your own cleaning supplies by using natural ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda. Last but not least, replace your air fresheners with plants. Read more about the benefits of indoor plants in the next tip.

Add greenery to liven up your home office

If you’re looking for a way to make your home office space greener, adding greenery is the simplest and most effective way to do so. Indoor plants bring so many benefits that there is not a single reason not to implement them in every corner of your home. First off, they’ll improve the overall aesthetics of your office, stating clearly that you care about the environment. Other than being an effective decorating tool, plants also absorb harmful, toxic pollutants from the air, which is extremely important due to the VOCs present in indoor spaces. They use carbon-dioxide from the air and through the process of photosynthesis, they convert it into oxygen, which will help your office space to feel fresh and airy.

Make sure there is enough natural light

Converting to a green office space doesn’t only preserve the environment, it also saves you a lot of money. To help cut electricity costs, use natural light as much as possible. The amount of light present in your home office will also affect your motivation and overall productivity, so make sure your workspace is equipped with various sources of lighting. If the structure of a home allows for a skylight, go for it. If not, think about the ways you can introduce light into your office in a way that is eco-conscious. Opt for CFL bulbs – not only do they save energy, but they’re a great eco-friendly solution due to the fact that they are recyclable. Also, consider investing in solar-powered gadgets and install smart power strips to prevent vampire power drain.

Use the tips above to go green in your home office and step by step, you’ll find yourself wanting to turn your entire house into an eco-friendly oasis.