6 Sustainable Decorating Tips to Transform Your Home
Having a sustainable home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style when reducing your carbon footprint, nor does it mean going over your budget. You can use sustainable decorating practices to not only beautify your home but increase its stylishness as well. Eco-friendly interior design just got easier!
But first and foremost, what is sustainable decor? This type of interior decoration means you’re using sustainable materials and avoiding unnecessary waste. Did you know that 9 million tons of furniture ends up in landfills every year? Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is more important now than ever and with the tips outlined below, you can decorate your home and preserve your piece of mind.
1. Upcycle used furniture
Take furniture you already own and repurpose it! Upcycling is when you take existing or used furniture and give it a refresh, whether that means turning an old pot into a decorative piece or adding a new coat of paint on an old chair.
2. Buy locally or handmade pieces
Buying from big brands that don’t use eco-friendly materials or business practices also plays a hand in waste and carbon emissions. In fact, the average person creates 4.9 pounds of waste per day. Why add to it? Shopping locally for handmade pieces gives you the opportunity to support local businesses and reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Eliminate or reduce plastic
Plastic is often referred to as the opposite of eco-friendly:not only does it take thousands of years to decompose, plastic waste often ends up in the ocean where it can endanger aquatic wildlife. Make sure to read what your purchases are made of before buying and prioritize non-plastic alternatives like glass or bamboo.
4. Go thrift shopping
You’ll be surprised what you can find at your local thrift shop or antique store for a fraction of the price of high-end furniture. Buying brand-new furniture can be expensive, especially if you move around a lot or you’re in a financial bind. Visit your local Goodwill for some great finds on a budget, while also reusing pieces of furniture that would otherwise end up at the landfill.
5. Try renting furniture
Furniture rental is a rather recent phenomenon that allows homeowners and renters to rent high-end furniture for months or even years at a time. What’s excellent about this decor option is that whenever you are finished with a piece of furniture, you can call the rental company to pick up the furniture at a fraction of the cost of movers. CORT and Feather are great brands to get started.
6. Add some greenery
Plants as decor are not only beautiful, but they’re biodegradable too! There are so many trendy indoor plants to choose from and depending on your lifestyle, you don’t have to worry about watering them too much — as long as you choose the right house plants. Head to your local plant nursery or propagate plants you already own to add some green into your life. Be sure not to purchase fake plants as they’re often made of plastic.
For additional tips on how to sustainably decorate, check out this infographic from Hippo home insurance.
