Guest post by Aby Nicole League
Eco-friendly home decor soothes not only the sight, but also the soul, as these choices reinforce
a healthy mindset towards the earth.
In addition, eco-friendly home design has found its place among the pragmatic because of
its efficiency.
For instance, a 2013 survey by a lighting company discovered that 65 percent of Americans
consider ditching the traditional incandescent bulbs for the energy-saving compact fluorescent
(CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) lights.
Go beyond switching to CFLs and LEDs and enjoy a healthy mind, body, and soul as well as a
reduction in your electricity bills by making eco-friendly product and design decisions as you
furnish and decorate your home.
Not sure where to start?
Green your decor with these eco-friendly design ideas and enjoy a rejuvenating way of life right
in the comfort of your home.
Bring On The Greens
Photo Courtesy of Melissa Trujillo via Pinterest
Indoor plants not only provide invigorating scenery, but also promote healthy living spaces
by filtering air.
Regardless of your pad’s setup, you can still nurture nature’s lovely decor with clever ways
Plant them in repurposed containers, on your walls, in an aquarium with a fish or two–
the list goes on.
Paint The Town Green
Photo Courtesy of Rachel Hancox via Pinterest
Or paint your walls and ceiling for a refreshing splash of color.
Steer clear of paints that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful
substances that cause a host of health and environmental problems.
Opt for nontoxic paints in colors that will bring about the mood that you would like to
create in your interior.
Make Your Walls Come Alive
Photo Courtesy of Miss Partab via Pinterest
If you prefer not to paint or would just like to try something out, it is a good thing there
are temporary wallpapers made of eco-friendly materials.
The exciting part about it is that these come in a wide array of colors and textures so you
can add more oomph to your plain walls.
Have A Heart For Art
Photo Courtesy of Michele Taylor via Pinterest
You can also bring nature into your home by displaying photos and paintings of green fields,
tranquil seas, and vibrant wildlife–anything to evoke Mother Earth’s presence.
So as not to defeat the purpose, use eco-friendly materials, preferably recycled ones that
you can personalize to your liking.
Recycle And Style With DIY
Photo Courtesy of Brittany Des Lauriers via Pinterest
There are countless ways to unleash your creativity with the things you already have.
Got mason jars around?
Get crafty and turn them into flower vases or candleholders.
Have tons of scrap paper?
If you have the time, why not make a paper sculpture?
Want to revamp your furniture?
Refurbish them or change their covers with your favorite fabric.
Shop Sustainably
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Quinn-Baldwin via Pinterest
If you must buy furniture, try scouring online listings for pre-loved pieces.
Should you want something brand new, go for furniture made from eco-friendly
material and wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Also, avoid buying more than you need.
Instead, invest in select pieces that will stand the test of time.
Rethink Your Fabric
Photo Courtesy of Shannan Marion via Pinterest
Switch to bedding and towels made from certified organic cotton, which is grown
and processed without pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Aside from enjoying softer cotton, you will help to save the environment–and your body–
from harmful toxins.
For an affordable alternative, Nancy Sleeth, co-director of Blessed Earth, suggests
“transitional cotton,” which is organically grown and has yet to be certified as organic.
Let There Be Light
Photo Courtesy of Andrew B. Hurvitz via Pinterest
Open your windows and do away with curtains on sunny days for natural lighting.
Not only will sunlight give you much-needed vitamin D, it will also benefit your sunlight-
loving plants, if you have any.
If you cannot forgo curtains, pick the light ones.
Apply Green Taste To Appliances
Photo Courtesy of The Crafting Chicks via Pinterest
Apart from your furniture and decor, appliances are fixtures in your home that contribute
to your interior.
Select sleek-looking appliances that go big on energy-saving by choosing those that meet
Energy Star standards.
Be Floored
Photo Courtesy of Katy Sears via Pinterest
The best eco-friendly floorings are those without carpets and rugs, which are treated with
and accumulate toxic substances.
Not to mention, they do add up as people all over the world replace old and worn-out ones.
If you can, go for flooring made of bamboo or hardwood-certified as sustainably grown and cut.
On the other hand, if you must have carpets and rugs, you will do better with those that are
free of harmful chemicals and made from recycled materials.
Beauty Is In The Details
Photo Courtesy of Towne & Reese via Pinterest
As much as possible, be mindful of whatever it is that you use in your home and look for
green alternatives.
Switch to organic paper or cloth napkins.
Buy or make your own recycled coasters.
Clean decor as well as other things in your home not with chemicals, but with natural
cleaners like lemon, baking soda, vinegar, and so on.
Being Eco-friendly Starts at Home
While going green already has its set of benefits like better health, environment, and finances,
it certainly does not hurt to have a stylish interior design to boot.
Long gone are the days when eco-friendly means bracing for a steep price and a 360-degree
change in your current lifestyle.
You just need to be open to incorporating green practices in your life and soon enough, you
will be rewarded with a whole new definition of home sweet home.
What are you doing to make your home more eco-friendly?
Share your favorite green home decorating thoughts, tips and ideas.
Excellent ideas that are not only green but beautiful and comfortable at the same time. Love it!
Hi Joli,
I am so delighted that you enjoyed these green home decorating ideas. I also enjoyed reading many of your healthy living posts.Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, I appreciate it. All the best, Deborah
Lovely! What a tasteful round up of beautiful sustainable decorations and home design. I pinned it!
Stopping by from the Friendship Friday Blog Party. Have a nice weekend!
Hi Charlotte,
I am so delighted that you enjoyed this post. Thank you so much for pinning it. I visited your blog and really enjoyed so many of your posts including your thoughts on compassion. I agree with you that “To be able to truly help others you need to start with yourself.” Too often we don’t really connect with ourselves so we cannot be authentic. I followed you on social media and subscribed to stay in touch. All the best, Deborah
Great post! There are so many eco-friendly options to choose from these days. Thanks for sharing at Pin-Worthy Wednesday!
This is great advice! One tip that I want to add: If you are renovating a room that has no exterior walls but is on the top floor, consider adding a skylight. It will provide natural light all day long and even on full-moon nights, reducing the need to use electric lights. If you get the kind that opens, it will also provide useful ventilation on hot summer days (if you’re not using air conditioning) when the hottest air hangs below the upstairs ceiling. We added a skylight to our bathroom 4 years ago, and we are thrilled with the lighting and ventilation not only for the bathroom but also for the hallway and stairs outside.
Here are my tips for efficient lighting. A lamp near the opening between rooms can do so much!