18 Sustainable Home Decor Ideas That Will Save Money
CindyDecorating your living space to reflect your personality is an essential form of self-expression. However, it's equally as important to consider the effect of your home decor choices on the environment and your physical health. The following eighteen sustainable home decor items will create a beautiful, relaxing living space and contribute to a healthier planet.
1. Eco-friendly Wallpaper
Although fun and exciting wallpapers are a major interior decorating trend, revamping your home should never be detrimental to your health. Synthetic adhesives and wallpapers can contain chemicals that could irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. On the other hand, natural wallpapers are great for the environment and your health.
2. Organic Bed Sheets
Sustainable materials don't only enhance the beauty of your home but improve your comfort as well. Organic bed sheets are soft, comfortable, and breathable for a perfect night's rest. They come in several different colors and prints, so it's easy to find a set that will fit the aesthetic of your bedroom.
3. Indoor Plants
The best, most beautiful, cost-effective home decor idea is bringing plants into your home. Houseplants are an excellent way to add a slice of the outdoors into your home and have several benefits. Research has proven that houseplants can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mental health.
4. Eco-Friendly Rugs
Never underestimate a rug's power to elevate a room's look and feel. Whether you want to add another layer of dimension, a splash of color, or a unique texture, a rug is a great choice. There are several eco-friendly rugs made from durable and sustainable materials like recycled plastics, jute, seagrass, hemp, or cotton.
5. Plastic-Free Storage
One simple way to make your home beautiful and inviting is to turn your storage containers into a display. If you have open shelving, go plastic-free instead of the typical plastic storage containers and bring your kitchen to life using glass jars.
6. Eco-Friendly Flower Pots
If you're a plant parent, you know that the market is saturated with plastic flower pots, but that doesn't mean you don't have alternatives. For a more eco-friendly option, replace plastic pots with biodegradable flower pots made of materials like wood, terracotta, or stone. You could also choose pots made with recycled plastics, which are an innovative solution for keeping plastic out of the landfill.
7. Non-Toxic Flooring
Interior designers are embracing the movement toward more sustainable home decor, which is evident in the latest flooring trends. Materials like bamboo, reclaimed hardwood, and cork are now being used more than ever. These eliminate the need for harmful chemicals being used on your floors and can be seamlessly incorporated into your home's style and color scheme.
8. Handmade Home Accessories
What better way to add personality to your home than with artisan home decor? By purchasing handmade decor like wall art, sculptures, or vases, you can support your local small businesses. Artisanal accessories are excellent for adding unique, natural textures to your home.
9. Use Eco-Friendly Paints
Do you have any idea how many chemicals are added to wall paints? A bucket of paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air when applied to your walls. These chemicals are dangerous when inhaled and can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Many contain chemicals that are known carcinogens. Instead, opt for eco-friendly paint made with natural products like seed oils and beeswax to protect yourself and the environment.
10. Bamboo Partitions
If you're looking for a sustainable option for a partition between rooms, you can't go wrong with a bamboo partition. It's lightweight, minimalistic, elegant, and easy to maintain. It also adds natural texture to the room and elevates the overall aesthetic.
11. Upcycled Lamps
Your light fixtures should be as unique and stylish as you. Several options using sustainable materials, like bamboo, glass, rope, bark, or recycled plastics, enhance the look of your space. When paired with an energy-saving bulb, you have the perfect eco-friendly lamp.
12. Antique Furniture
Instead of buying brand-new furniture, polish your antique wooden pieces to give them a new lease on life. Many people believe that antique furniture will make their space look dated, but there's nothing wrong with giving your furniture a makeover. Using modern colors, upholstery, or patterns is a simple way of providing an antique piece a fresh look.
13. Energy Efficient Lighting
Sustainable doesn't only refer to using natural materials or heading to the thrift store; saving energy is another smart and sustainable choice. Using energy-efficient lighting around your home consumes less energy and creates a warm and relaxing ambiance.
14. Using Sustainable Materials
Avoid using synthetic materials around your home. Many beautiful natural materials, like bamboo, cotton, wool, and jute, can be incorporated into different elements in the house to create a beautiful living space. For example, you could use natural materials in your sofa's upholstery instead of those filled with synthetic dyes and fibers.
15. Use Natural Fragrances
Many people believe that the smell of your home is almost as important as how it looks. But there are several ways to make your home smell amazing without harmful chemicals. Instead of using aerosol air fresheners and paraffin wax candles, use natural fragrances. Beeswax, soy, and palm wax candles made with essential oils are all excellent alternatives.
16. Organic Throw Blankets
Throw blankets are an excellent choice for adding color and texture to your couch. Organic blankets made of cotton, hemp, or bamboo are soft, breathable, sustainably produced fabrics and are a beautiful addition to the home.
17. Sustainably Sourced Wood
Deforestation is a serious environmental issue, but that doesn't mean we should avoid wooden home decor products. When buying wooden pieces, choose wisely. Sustainably sourced wood will be marked with terms like PEFC-certified, Responsible Wood Certified, or sustainably sourced, making them a much better choice for your home and the planet.
18. DIY and Upcycle
Turn your home decor into a fun art project by creating DIY items using recyclable materials. Look around your home for unused items and get creative. Your home is your sanctuary, and adding that extra personal touch with a DIY item might be exactly what it's missing.
She started her blog, The Money Dreamer, when she realized the 9-5 job was not the lifestyle she wanted anymore. After designing for a while, she wanted a more meaningful life, which was freedom, so she decided to venture out. She took action so that she can live her dream life and decided to help people to live theirs by helping them how to save, budget, and invest.
