Green decorating is the biggest thing in interior decorating today. More and more people are realizing that their impact on the earth is important and by decreasing the footprint each of us leaves behind we leave the earth a healthier, happier place for generations to come. Incorporating green decorating, or eco-friendly design ideas, into a home doesn’t need to be an expensive undertaking and it doesn’t mean that everything must be changed at once, there are several ways to ease into environmentally friendly home decorating without going broke in the process.
Recycled Products
There are a number of ways to incorporate recycled products into home décor. Using products that are created from previously used materials is one great way to decrease environmental impact. Another way is using items in their original form, antiques are a great example of recycled products as they’re passed from one person to another. Previously used items can be used for their original purposes or refashioned in clever ways to create innovative decorative statements.
Look at the Contents
Look at what items are made of to determine their impact on the environment. Natural products typically (this isn’t always the case) have a less serious impact than synthetic ones and some natural items are much better for the environment than others. Don’t buy exotic or rare woods unless you’re buying a recycled item. Instead lean towards sustainable woods such as eucalyptus or bamboo. Learn about Antique, Reclaimed and Vintage Woods and try to use them whenever possible. In addition to the large materials, look at the chemicals in items as they can create air pollution issues in a home.
Where did it Come From
The basic rule of thumb is to try to buy products closer to home as the entire shipping process is hard on the earth. But it isn’t that simple in most cases so a little research or education may be required. An IKEA down the street may have products that seem local but the product has most likely been shipped to the local store from Sweden. Another nearby store may say their products come from local materials but they ship them to another country, have them assembled there and shipped back, which makes them less eco-friendly. So learn as much as possible about the product’s manufacturing process.
Use Tax Breaks
There are currently a number of tax breaks in the United States and other countries for people who are willing to upgrade their appliances and fixtures to eco-friendly models. Take advantage of these tax breaks to get new pieces at discounted prices, but a little homework is still necessary to see which models qualify for rebates.
Start with small steps and slowly turn that home into an environmentally friendly oasis.
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