Saving the environment, or going green, has become a huge trend in everything from dining out to driving to work and even has hit the interior decorating business. Yes, there are actually ways to decorate your home that will help save the environment and make your home living situation healthier for you and everyone in your family. If you’re interested in going green at home consider incorporating the following tips into your home decorating scheme.
Furniture
The best way to bring environmental decorating into your home is by developing a love for antiques, or previously owned furniture. By buying or reusing older furniture you’re not adding to the mass consumption of all of the products and energy used to create new furniture. Even refinishing and refurbishing will typically save natural resources.
If you really want to purchase new furniture pieces, look for products that are nontoxic and use nontoxic materials, use organic fabrics, latex foam, wool batting, and renewable woods. If you search hard enough you’ll find a few companies that specialize in eco-friendly furniture.
Floor Coverings
If you are lucky enough to have a floor that has original hardwoods, do what you can to save them and refurbish them rather than applying new or synthetic floors on top. If you’re using rugs, look for all-natural and sustainable fibers. You can even go so far as to look for rugs that are biodegradable and recyclable. If you’re looking for a hardwood type floor, try bamboo flooring. Bamboo does have some problems but if you use a company that is definitely using mature bamboo you should have minimal problems. You can also consider recycled metal or glass tiles, cork, linoleum, stones or reclaimed woods.
Paint and Stain
Many paints and stains contain something called volatile organic compounds or VOCs. VOCs are emitted as gasses and contain hazardous chemicals that can cause short and long term health problems. By choosing products that are low in VOC you’ll be protecting your health and your family’s.
Bedding and Linens
Look for bedding and linen materials that are made from organic materials and that are treated with nontoxic, water-based dyes. Organic cotton is a great way to go as it’s free of synthetic chemicals which makes it not harmful to users or the environment.
Accessories
In addition to your interior decorating fundamentals, look at the accessories you choose to bring into the home and how long you expect them to last. If you’re just going to throw it away in a few months, perhaps there is an alternative solution. Decorating with reclaimed art is growing in popularity and the great part is its something you can create yourself with a little inspiration and a few reclaimed products. In addition to reclaimed art, antiques are a great way to recycle products from the past and create an exciting environmentally friendly atmosphere in your home.
This is an ever changing field and more and more products are cropping up on the market that can bring green decorating to your home for less money and less effort. Keep your eyes on the current eco-friendly decorating trends to see how you can make your home more environmentally sound.
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