Top Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home Decor
By Diana Smith
Nowadays, we have to take the environmental impact of our decisions into consideration in every single aspect of our lives. Luckily, the collective outlook is changing, and it’s not so hard anymore to bring to life our eco-friendly, sustainable ideas. Here are some tips on how to decorate your home while making environmentally safe, but still gorgeous choices.
Not all paint is equal
Beautifully painted walls can make all the difference and help you achieve exactly the kind of atmosphere you are looking for. However, searching for the perfect color is not that simple. When buying paint, there are other things to consider too – most importantly the VOC content of the paint. What is VOC, I hear you ask. VOC is short for volatile organic compounds. These are harmful chemicals that can have a detrimental effect on your health. They can be found in other objects, like carpets or even furniture. For your safety, always check out the VOC content, and choose items with low values and low emission rates.
Light makes a difference
Light is a very important, but sometimes overlooked aspect of any home. Always try to utilize the natural light as much as possible. Not only does it look much better than artificial lighting, studies have also shown that exposure to natural light has a beneficial effect on both our physical and mental health. Plenty of direct sunshine, especially during the colder months could also significantly lower your heating bills. The right windows – those that have premium insulation – could help support and magnify this effect. When it comes to artificial lighting, making the right choice could help you support the environment, and lower your electricity bill in the process. Always read the labels when you are buying lights, and make sure you only choose the ones that are energy efficient.
Natural materials are the way to go
From the floor upwards, the material of every single thing in your home matters. Wood or bamboo floors not only look beautiful, but are also a comfortable, long-lasting, and healthy option. Those who find tiles more practical will be happy to hear that they are also a sustainable and eco-friendly solution. Carpets and rugs should also be made from natural materials, such as wool, jute, silk or cotton. Instead of painting their walls, some people opt for environmentally friendly wallpaper made out of paper and water-based pigmented paints. If you are not quite sure about the best choices for you, architecture firms in Melbourne offer consultations and free quotes.
Decorate with plants
What could be greener than using plants to freshen up your home? Not only do they make any space look livelier, they also clean the air, removing or neutralizing a lot of the harmful gases that might be floating around your house.
Use vintage and recycled
You would be surprised at the beautiful and eclectic look you can achieve using vintage, hand-me-down and recycled furniture. If you are not buying new, you are already doing something great for the planet. Using previously loved things will also be easy on your budget. Not to mention that in a lot of the cases, these previously owned objects are made from natural materials like wood and different natural fabrics. Buying your furniture from flea markets and local vintage shops is also much more sustainable than having it shipped from far-away factories.
When you are decorating your home in an eco-friendly way, you are not just doing something for the environment. You are also doing yourself and your family a favor. The kinds of materials we use in our home can have a huge impact on our health, negative or positive. With a bit of research, you can make the best choices for your health and for nature.
