Home decor is what makes a house a home. With the right interior design and decoration, feelings of warmth and comfort envelop guests and homemakers alike. However, sustainability is an important aspect of home decor as many of the items we use to decorate can negatively impact the environment.
Sustainable decorating takes home decor and implements eco-friendly habits with the earth’s longevity in mind. Some ways to decorate sustainably include, but aren’t limited to, shopping secondhand or shopping locally for handmade items.
Your purchase decisions have a direct impact on the environment, so make sure that you aren’t increasing your carbon footprint as you decorate your home, as it is more important now than ever before. In fact, 9 million tons of furniture end up in landfills every year. Waste is a growing problem, so reducing human impact on the environment can help combat issues like climate change and excess waste.
Ready to start decorating your eco-friendly home? Look no further: we’ve got 13 tips to get you started. Here are the top five:
1. Try upcycling old or used pieces
Upcycling is when you take an item that you thrifted or that you already own and give it a refresh. Whether it’s a new coat of paint or using the item for a new purpose, there are plenty of ways to breathe new life into older pieces.
2. Check out local shops with handmade items
As we mentioned above, shopping locally for handmade items can drastically reduce one’s carbon footprint. There are significant carbon emissions released into the atmosphere when we order online and from chain stores. Instead, opting for locally sourced items that you can pick can reduce your impact on the environment.
3. Introduce mindful shopping in your life
Ever heard of the 10-10-10 rule? Before purchasing an item, ask yourself if it will hold the same value you in your life 10 days, 10 months, or 10 years from now. While this is typically used for deciding whether or not your purchase will be valuable to the future, this can help you become a more mindful consumer.
4. Consider a no-buy challenge
A no-buy challenge is when you try to go for a select amount of time without purchasing anything or purchasing a certain type of item. For example, some may do a no-buy challenge for coffee for a few months. This goes for home decor as well! Instead of purchasing new items, try going to a swap meet and trading with someone who also wants something new without spending a fortune.
5. Cut down or eliminate plastic decor
Plastic is one of the biggest enemies of sustainability since it takes thousands of years to break down: think of it as the opposite of biodegradable. Much of our plastic items end up in landfills or worse, in the ocean. Be sure to look for home decor items made from recyclable or biodegradable materials to reduce waste overall.
Want more tips on how to decorate with sustainability in mind? Check out this infographic below for benefits of sustainable decor and check out this guide for more tips.
Leave a reply