Tips and tricks to help give your home an eco-friendly makeover.
As the world changes every second, we see an increased push to make life more agreeable with Mother Nature. While making your home more sustainable might sound overwhelming at first, there are many small changes that can be made to your interiors that not only look good with your space but are also safe and good for the environment.
Here are some simple and easy-to-do makeover tips that improve your home and the planet.
Tip #1 - Thrifting and Repurposing
Where possible, purchasing home decor items that suit your aesthetic from second-hand stores, yard sales, or online marketplaces is a great way to cut down on buying mass-produced items that may contribute to pollution. Thrifting pieces for your home allows you to recycle items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Additionally, try repurposing old furniture and making something entirely new! For example, freshen up an old dresser with some wood stain and new hardware and turn it into an entertainment center or console for your family room.
Tip #2 - Use "Green" Decor Products
VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are harmful chemicals that can be found in cleaning products, paints, home adhesives, and even some furniture items. When brought into the home these chemicals off-gas and release into the air, making the air quality poor and creating serious health risks. By switching from your typical hardware store paints to GREENGUARD gold-certified paints, or paints approved by the EPA, you can reduce your VOC exposure. Exploring water-based stains and finishes has also proven to greatly improve indoor air quality. If buying new wood furniture, ensure that your item is not treated with formaldehyde, a chemical often used to preserve the wood.
Tip #3 - Energy Efficient Lighting
One of the easiest ways to improve the lighting in your home without cost or environmental damage is simple to open up your curtains! Let some natural light into your home during daylight hours and provide yourself with free lighting brought to you by our one and only sun. If privacy is a concern, the window treatment options for stylish blinds and shades have also made it easier to maintain your privacy while still allowing enough sunlight to shine through. As night falls, advancements in LED technology have opened the doors to a wide variety of lighting temperatures, colors, and styles that are energy efficient giving you the most amount of light while requiring very little energy.
Tip #4 - Accessorize with Plants
Plants are one of the most vital parts of a healthy environment, and including them in your home decor can greatly improve your space and the planet. Research has shown that certain houseplants can improve the indoor air quality of your home. A common and easy to care for plant that benefits your air quality is the spider plant. While the name may sound buggy, the spider plant is adaptable to any space and requires minimal care. If you're looking for something a bit more flowery, peace lilies provide a natural filter for mold spores that become airborne. There are lots of other house plants, such as aloe and English ivy, that can add a green touch to your space while helping to clean the air around it.
Tip #5 - Use Natural and Recycled Materials
Last but definitely not least, incorporating natural and recycled materials into your home decor is a great way to style your home using environmentally-conscious items. Furniture, rugs, and flooring material can be ethically sourced or made of recycled content. For instance, reclaimed wood can become a nice accent piece on your fireplace mantle or, if treated properly, can become a choice for indoor flooring to give your space a rustic look. One of the most easily recyclable natural materials is cork. Cork is harvested with environmental ethics in mind as the bark is basically peeled off while the tree remains alive and healthy. This material is versatile and can be made to appear and feel similar to hardwood.
Sustainable Design
While these may just be a few tips for making your home environmentally friendly, there are hundreds of other changes and additions anyone can make to their space to ensure we live a long, healthy life on planet Earth. Sustainable choices don't have to be unattractive in your space. In fact, some may even make you love your home even more.
If you are ready to get started let’s connect on a complementary discovery call.