Pre-pandemic, sustainability was already a hot topic in residential real estate. From energy-efficient windows, to renewable building materials, sustainability awareness has been on the rise for years, if not decades. 

With the past year keeping us all at home for more of our lives than ever before, however, more homeowners than ever before are realizing just how much more sustainable their homes could be—especially after paying the energy bills associated with working, schooling, and playing at home each month!

2021 looks to be a year when more Americans than ever will embrace home sustainability. Here are some of the trends we’ll see this year. 

Growing Elimination of Toxic Chemicals in Home Materials

So many materials used in homes exude toxic chemicals, from sofas coated in flame retardant, to stain-repellent carpeting. 

Many companies, however, are starting to eliminate these materials from their products. And homeowners are turning toward more natural materials, choosing linoleum and marmoleum over vinyl flooring, and more solid wood, metal, or other “whole material” furniture than the laminate and other chemical-laden products that websites like IKEA and Wayfair sell. 

Using More Local Materials

Using local materials, instead of ones shipped from across the country or across the world, can drastically decrease a home’s ecological footprint by decreasing the pollution and emissions necessary to transport materials from place to place. 

More Energy-Efficient Touches

Those who’ve been involved in home sustainability for some time know that you can do a lot with a little. 

You don’t need to overhaul your entire home—by adding things like weather stripping around doors and windows, making sure attics and basements are insulated, and replacing old appliances with energy-efficient ones, you can make a huge dent in your home’s energy usage. 

Greater Incorporation of Natural Light

Another by-product of the pandemic, a greater embrace and awareness of natural light will affect home design this year. 

As employees have been able to work anywhere, even outside, this year, there will be greater focus on bringing the outdoors in—whether that be a home office, or traditional office. 

From opening up roofs with skylights, to paying more attention to location and orientation for newly built homes, a focus on nature and the outdoors will come more to the forefront in 2021 than ever before. 

More Repurposing and Upcycling

Along with using more sustainable materials, homeowners, designers, and builders will appreciate the power of upcycling and repurposing. 

From furniture, to home decor, to salvaged building materials, there are plentiful ways to increase sustainability simply by buying fewer brand-new items. We expect to see a renewed focus on homeowners simply refreshing items they already have, rather than going for a wholesale room redesign. 

Greater Adoption of Solar Panels

While the upfront cost of solar panels has historically been a deterrent for many homeowners, this is starting to change thanks, in part, to our increased energy consumption at home. It’s easier to justify the cost when you’re seeing your energy bills increase every month!

In addition, technologies like solar shingles, which are smaller modules that can be permanently attached to a roof, as well as improved solar energy storage, are just a couple of the developments making solar more attractive to homeowners seeking sustainability. 

Home sustainability got much more attractive in 2020, and that’s only going to continue in 2021. Whether you’re building, designing, buying, or selling a house this year, make sure you consider these trends!

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