It’s time to refurbish your home and give it a fresh look. However, if you’re environmentally conscious, you might hesitate and wonder if there's a way to redecorate without putting too much of a strain on the planet. Not to worry. There are multiple ways to upgrade your interior without wasting natural resources or harming the earth. Here are several tips on how to decorate your home in a greener way.
Place Some Potted Plants
The first and most natural of techniques for greening up your home is to add more indoor plants. Plants bring beauty and elegance to any room and can add a pop of color anywhere, especially if they produce regular blooms. But that’s not all plants do. Plants also purify the air in your home, turning carbon dioxide and other noxious gases into fresh oxygen, often accompanied by a lovely green scent. There’s no such thing as too many plants; place them throughout your home for maximum visual and olfactory effectiveness.
Choose Recycled and Reclaimed Wood Furniture
When it comes to furniture, wood is the best material for beauty and eco-friendliness, but choose your pieces wisely. If your old furniture looks drab, take the time to repaint or refinish it. Purchase pieces at thrift stores or garage sales and consider giving them the same treatment. Re-upholster the cushions or invest in slipcovers made from sustainable and organic materials like cotton, wool, hemp, and more. If you buy new pieces, pick modern reclaimed wood furniture made from repurposed wood. Reclaimed wood furniture has a unique and rustic character that’s sure to start conversations!
Shop Locally
Reduce the need for companies to burn fossil fuels while delivering furniture, rugs, art, and other decorative pieces by buying from local independent dealers that create their own products. Handcrafted furniture, often made from reclaimed wood by carpenters who seek sustainable alternatives to tree-clearing, is better than big box store furniture. Look for local weavers when picking an area rug, draperies, or textile wall decorations. Finally, support local artists by attending art fairs and similar events while purchasing art, photographs, pottery, and more.
Make the Most of Sunlight
Here’s another tip on how to decorate your home in a greener way. Conduct an energy audit and see if your furnace and AC are working efficiently, and gauge whether each room in the house is staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Next, purchase window treatments that implement the best use of the sun and cross-ventilation. Blackout blinds can keep harsh sunlight from heating up a room, while gauzy drapes can let more sunlight and warmth into a cooler room. Help your HVAC system save on energy by keeping your windows covered or uncovered!