Many of us want to live a little more sustainably – but knowing where to start isn’t always easy, especially in busy towns and cities. The good news is that living greener doesn’t mean changing everything overnight. Small, steady changes can make a real difference over time.
Taking a seasonal approach can help. Here are a few simple, realistic ways to be more eco-conscious throughout the year, without turning it into another thing on your to-do list.
Spring: small changes that grow over time
Spring is a natural time for a reset. Even without a garden, there are easy ways to bring a bit of greenery into your home.
A windowsill herb garden is a great place to start. All you need is a sunny spot, a few pots and herbs you’ll actually use. Basil, parsley, chives and thyme are all good beginner options. Mint grows well too, but it’s best kept in its own pot as it can spread quickly.
Houseplants can also help improve air quality while making your home feel calmer and more lived-in. Plants like snake plants, spider plants and peace lilies are low maintenance and don’t require much space – ideal for apartments and smaller homes.
If you don’t have room indoors, community gardens can be a great alternative. They’re a chance to grow food, learn new skills and meet people locally, even if you don’t have outdoor space of your own.
Summer: keeping cool without overusing energy
Homes in the UK are built to keep heat in, which can make warmer months feel uncomfortable. Improving airflow is often the simplest solution.
Opening windows on opposite sides of your home creates cross-ventilation, helping warm air move out naturally. Fans can also help circulate air – they use far less energy than air conditioning and are usually more than enough for most summer days.
Plants can help here too. As they release moisture into the air, they can slightly cool the space around them. Aloe vera, ferns and spider plants are particularly good options.
Water use tends to increase in summer as well. Switching to a low-flow or aerated shower head can reduce water use without affecting water pressure, making it an easy change that doesn’t impact comfort.
Autumn: buying less, using what you already have
Autumn has a habit of creeping up on us. One minute it’s still warm, the next you’re digging out jumpers and thinking about replacing things around the house.
This is a good point in the year to slow down and be a bit more mindful about what you buy – and what you throw away. Recycling is part of that, but it’s not always obvious what goes where. Rules can differ depending on where you live, so it’s worth checking what your local council accepts and where things like batteries or small electrical items can be dropped off properly.
If you’re looking to update furniture or storage, second-hand options are well worth a look. Cities in particular are full of hidden gems, from charity shops to local sellers who just want to pass things on. It’s often cheaper, more interesting, and a lot better than buying something brand new that doesn’t quite last.
You can also reuse what you already have. Old clothes that are past their best don’t have to be thrown away straight away. Soft fabrics can be turned into cushions, throws or simple blankets – even if you’re not especially crafty. Starting small is fine, and it’s a nice way to give familiar items a second life.
Winter: staying warm without overthinking it
Winter’s usually when the heating goes on earlier than planned and the lights stay on longer than you’d like. It’s easy to feel like there’s not much you can do about it – but a few small habits can make a difference without turning your home into a cold box.
Draughts are often the first thing people notice. Balcony doors, older frames, even gaps you’ve just got used to can let the cold creep in. A simple draught stopper or heavier curtains can help more than you’d expect, especially in the rooms you actually sit in.
Lighting’s another one that’s easy to overlook. If you’ve still got older bulbs in lamps or side lights, switching them out can quietly cut energy use without changing how the room feels. LEDs aren’t harsh like they used to be, and you can still get a warm, soft glow in the evenings.
Heating doesn’t have to be all or nothing either. Most people naturally spend more time in one or two rooms, so it makes sense to focus on keeping those comfortable rather than heating the whole place the same way all day. Turning things down slightly elsewhere often goes unnoticed – until the bill arrives.
None of this is about doing everything perfectly or all at once. It’s more a case of paying attention to what actually makes a difference in your own home, then sticking with what works. Those small choices tend to settle into routine before you even think about them.