One of the best ways you can protect one of life’s most significant investments is to make your house more climate change resistant. From superstorms to droughts and wildfires, it’s essential to prepare your home no matter where you live.  Here are just a few ways you can make your home safer when it comes to weather and climate change. 

Flood Mapping & Preparations

Water can be extremely damaging to your home, but you can prevent or mitigate damage with flood mapping and preparations. 

1. Use permeable pavers for your walkways and terraces. This will allow water to flow out and away from your home. 

2. Take a look at your landscaping and incorporate native, drought-resistant plants that can help prevent erosion from water. If your yard is ready for an overhaul, you’ll want to enlist a landscape architect to help plan your yard. 

3. Check to make sure your roofline, gutters, and yard drainage systems direct water out and away from your home. If they are not maintained or well connected, water can pool around your home and cause flood damage.  

Fire Resistance

Fire resistance is extremely important, especially if you live in an area that is already prone to wildfires. Luckily, you can take several steps to make your home a little safer. 

1. Choose pavers, aggregate, or fire-resistant plants in your landscaping. When planning your landscaping, make sure to consider the views from inside your home looking out and how it looks from the street view. 

2. When choosing your home’s exterior materials, opt for stone, brick, metal, or wood finished with the shou-sugi-ban technique. 

3. If you are building a home, consider installing a concealed sprinkler system. A wet yard is less likely to catch on fire from stray embers. 

When a fire threatens your neighborhood, these options will buy your home precious time until firefighters arrive to prevent or slow its spread.

Energy Self-Sufficiency

One of the ways that you can contribute to solving the climate change crisis is by reducing your carbon footprint. By making your home as energy-efficient and self-sustaining as possible, you no longer rely on fossil fuels. 

1. Make the switch from propane cooking appliance to convection. While many cooks love a gas range in the kitchen, it’s unfortunately not eco-friendly. Luckily, several companies, such as Fisher + Paykel and Jenn-Air, make chef-quality appliances. 

2. I’ve said it a few times here, but solar panels are the next step when you’re ready to become self-sufficient. Make sure to read 3 Favorite Sustainable House Design Features and Eco-Friendly Home Companies in Nashville for more tips on going solar and my favorite companies to help you achieve your self-sustainability home goals. 

Here at MOTIV, we take a sophisticated and sustainable approach to interior design. Join our newsletter, and each month we’ll drop some gorgeous design inspiration and eco-friendly tips in your inbox.