Eco-friendly home interior design improves your home’s look and reduces the impact that certain furniture and décor have on the environment. The following green home decor ideas will blend nature and style to give your house a fabulous look.
#1. Use Flowers and Plants
One of the best ways to green your house is by decorating your house with plants and flowers. It is common knowledge that houseplants can revitalize any space. They bring touch of nature to your home and help to combat pollutants. Some plants like ferns and palms can increase oxygen level, purify and improve your home’s air quality. Besides, plants are less expensive compared to other home decorations.
But when you are choosing your indoor plants, make sure to choose something that goes with your space’s decorative style. For instance, we recommend you use moss or moss balls for a zen space.
For instance, the kokedama is a type of ball made up of soil and covered with moss, originating in the Land of the Rising Sun. This old Japanese plant is also known as the “poor man’s bonsai” and is a no-pot plant. However, only plants that can grow under part or full shade, like ferns and ivy, can be utilised to make kokedama. It is also worth noting that the kokedama needs to be watered regularly.
#2. Apply the Recycling Principle
Who doesn’t know the 3 ‘R’ words? Reuse, reduce and recycle are the three watchwords of green living and it’s no surprise that you must apply these principles to your list of eco-friendly home décor ideas.
Therefore, instead of purchasing new home décor items, why don’t you restore and use your old furniture?
Below you will find some excellent ideas of how to restores some of your old stuff:
- Mason jars can be reused as cute planters for your herbs and placed in kitchens. Old jars can also be used as holders for coloured pebbles.
- Old shirts that you are not willing to throw out can be used as adorable cushion covers.
- Old bedsheets can be used as curtains.
- Instead of buying a new sofa, you can restore the old one with some recycled slipcovers or upholstery made of recycled wool.
#3. Buy Items Made From Recycled or Sustainable Materials
Nowadays, a range of home products are made from eco-friendly materials that are readily available. For instance, when it comes to flooring, make sure you always choose sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork or linoleum.
I know that when it comes to furniture, wood is considered as one of the best materials. However, it’s better to choose the wood that doesn’t contribute to deforestation. So, always make sure that the wood is FSC certified.
Established in the 20th century, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit organisation that sets specific standards to ensure that forestry is being practised in an environmentally responsible way. As a result, when a product is referred to as FSC Certified, the wood used in the production of the product met the Forest Stewardship Council’s requirements.
#4. Use Non-Toxic Paints
If you want to give a green and sustainable touch to your home décor, it is recommended to use non-toxic paints. Research indicates that eco-friendly paints do not contain volatile organic compounds, otherwise known as VOCs. VOCs are compounds that are used in the production of paints, refrigerants and pharmaceuticals. However, these compounds were subjected to much criticism as they can be quite harmful to the environment. Moreover, they also contain certain chemicals that can cause adverse health effects. For instance, the United States Environmental Protection Agency claimed that VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation and can also damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Hence, it is recommended to use paints that are free from VOCs.
We also recommend using milk paint, which is an environmentally-friendly paint made from 100% natural ingredients like clay, milk protein, lime, and pigment. It is a non-toxic and biodegradable paint that emits no fumes and is entirely safe to use.
So, will you adopt these green home décor ideas? Please share your comments!