Eco-Friendly Decorating Ideas For Your Home

Typically, decoration plans begin with how we want our homes to look. We consider how accents fit into our overall aesthetic. Do the color scheme, furniture choices, and personal effects please the eye? Are they current or do they make the space feel frumpy and outdated? Other factors we take into account include how closely the look correlates with our personality, comfort level, budget, and functionality. While it requires a little more effort, it’s important to incorporate eco-friendly decorating ideas into your design.

These 14 tips ensure that you prioritize the planet when decorating your home.

Sustainability staple: Get into upcycling

Calling all garage sale enthusiasts! Here’s where your ability to spot a bargain comes into play. Reduce landfill waste by purchasing gently used items to repurpose. Get creative with your eco-friendly decorating by upcycling items that you no longer use. Start by choosing a piece of old furniture to reupholster (bonus points if you used fabric scraps). Then, transform empty tissue boxes into nifty storage containers. You can also turn waste wine bottles into decorative flower vases. Similarly, upcycle old candle jars into storage containers, table decor, planters or desk organizers. The upcycling possibilities are endless!

Make simple repairs to be more eco-friendly

Survey your place for items that can be repaired and fix them. For instance, try patching up your old duvet instead of purchasing a new one. Or find a repair shop to fix appliances you planned on tossing (as long as they’re not too ancient). Try your hand at fixing that broken chair leg before rushing out to replace it. If the thought of fixing random household items feels overwhelming, keep it simple! Limit your repairs to retouching paint or removing scratches and scrapes from laminate flooring. All of these options will help to cut down on landfill waste while helping your home look like new.

Renovate with non-toxic materials

Looking to freshen up your interior the eco-conscious way? Stick to non-toxic materials that won’t harm the environment. For example, give your rooms a facelift with non-toxic paint. Taking on a drywalling project? Research non-toxic drywall and plaster options. Sprucing up your 3D wall art project? Swap the traditional caulk for a latex and biocide-free alternative. When completing renovations that require glue, shop around for non-toxic options. These go a long way when it comes to eco-friendly decorating.

If you’re unsure of whether a material is non-toxic, experts recommend contacting the manufacturer before purchasing to get a complete list of ingredients.

Spruce up your space with solar lighting

As long as it’s within reach of sunlight or an artificial light source, indoor solar lighting is a feasible eco-friendly decor option. The sun counts as a renewable energy source. So utilizing this lighting option goes a long way toward helping sustain the well-being of the environment. By choosing solar lighting, you will directly contribute reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and your carbon footprint.

These lights typically come with batteries and other electrical components that contain hazardous materials. So be sure to dispose of them properly to avoid environmental pollution.

Buy furniture made from reclaimed wood

If you’re concerned about going on a wild goose chase to find furniture sourced from reclaimed wood, don’t be; this particular eco-friendly decor tip isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Large chains routinely sell furniture crafted from upcycled materials. Plus, smaller online shops have tons of handmade and custom pieces available. Unlike new wood, the treatment process for reclaimed wood typically doesn’t involve harsh chemicals. Thus, it reduces opportunities for air/water pollution or waste going to landfills. Additionally, no new trees are cut down to create these products. On top of being eco-conscious products, these pieces are distinct in nature. In other words, the odds of you spying your reclaimed wood desk in someone else’s office are slim to none.

Purchase ethically sourced pillows and throws

Let’s face it: No one wants to hang out in a room without accent pillows and throws. They help anchor a room’s color scheme. Pillows and throws enhance the plush, cozy feel of any space they occupy. And if you choose right, they’re extremely comfortable and some even assist with body alignment and pressure relief. Plus, they’re super casual and chic. 

There’s no doubt that your home should be decorated to suit your personal tastes. But as members of a global community, it’s important to consider our environment in mind when creating a residential aesthetic.