Sustainable Interior Design: 11 Eco-Friendly Décor Ideas
The world is striving to become better and better! And since change begins from home – one of the best ways to do your little bit for the planet is by incorporating eco-friendly décor ideas.
Yes, you don’t have to go through some major renovation! Just a little bit of styling and eco-friendly home decoration can bring you an inch closer to sustainability.
Plus, there’s good news for you! Just in case if you’re on a budget or furnishing a rental space – these 11 eco-friendly décor ideas will significantly help you reduce your carbon footprint!
All you have to do is to be conscious, thoughtful, and creative!
What is Sustainable Interior Design?
Sustainable interior design aims to reduce the depletion of natural resources by reusing and repurposing the materials and products. Opting for non-toxic, organic, and other green alternatives is the way to foster an eco-friendly lifestyle. Moreover, they’re bound to add a refreshed and relaxing vibe in the home – whereas, improving the air quality!
Cultivate Indoor Plants
Thinking green will definitely take you a long way! Adding houseplants for indoor plants will be a great way to induce a refreshing vibe.
Check out the best indoor plants for a home to incorporate on your coffee table, nightstands, and empty, dead corners.
This is one of the most budgeted eco-friendly décor ideas that also contributes to wellness and better air quality in-home.
And not just the plants, but also ensure to go sustainable and eco-friendly on the planters as well.
Majorly, try styling with rattan baskets, clay potters, or even hanging macramé strands for a natural backdrop.
Incorporate Natural Materials
Look out for natural and eco-friendly materials like rattan, wicker, cane, and bamboo!
With the growing trend regarding natural materials, more and more artisans and designers are crafting handmade, beautiful products.
Hence, ignoring the toxic plastic for natural materials is something that will imbibe an organic and eco-friendly vibe.
Whether it’s a wicker chair, rattan lampshade, or bamboo accessories – these natural fabrics will never go out of style.
Incorporating these natural materials when decorating with baskets would make a great visual and textural statement.
Also, you can prefer FSC certified wood that is sustainably sourced and is guaranteed to help combat deforestation. Or try out some composite materials for your doors, furniture, or from a wood to a composite decking type. Not only it is sustainable, but it will also give you less time and money to think about maintenance and other degrading factors over time.
Thus, this is a great eco-friendly décor idea you must look forward to!
Eco-Friendly LED Lighting
It’s time to amalgamate style and sustainability by switching your traditional bulbs with eco-conscious LED lighting.
This is a great way to cut down on electricity and transform your home into sustainable bliss.
You can swap the old energy-eating incandescent bulbs with new and modern LED bulbs as an accent in your dining rooms, living rooms, and even patios!
Do check for ENERGY-STAR certification when purchasing these lighting fixtures.
You can best use it in pendant lighting, wall sconces, recessed lighting, and even chandeliers.
Use Zero VOC Paint
Painting the walls is a great way to revamp your home and make them look stunning and eye-catchy.
But before you coat a brush of fresh paint on the walls, it’s important to ensure that the selected paint has almost zero to low VOC value.
The VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are elements that release toxic emissions in the air that would readily cause redness and irritation in the eye, nose, and throat.
This is a very harmful substance that has the potential to cause breathing problems over the coming years. Hence, minimizing the use of high VOC paint can benefit your health in the long run.
So, happy painting with a low VOC paint!
Style with Dried Plants and Flowers
The concept and idea of styling with dried plants and flowers are readily making a comeback in the home décor industry.
Apart from the rustic and soothing aesthetics, these dried plants make a phenomenal eco-friendly décor idea in the home.
Yes! Firstly, you don’t have to deal with the freshly cut flowers and the environmental aspect that comes with them.
And secondly, maintenance is quite an easy task. So, no watering and no spraying two or three times a day!
Have a look at my latest article on how you can style and decorate with pampas grass!
Refuse Carpet
If you want to be environmentally friendly in your home – the number one action to take is to simply throw away that rug!
Yes, they’re not only releasing harmful toxins in the air but also collecting the tiniest pieces of dirt and dust over the period of years.
But does that mean that you completely have to get rid of the idea of having rugs in your home?
Well, no! Incorporating sustainable rugs is a great eco-friendly décor idea.
Mainly, you must look for rugs that are made of natural materials like seagrass, bamboo, and jute that feel soft underneath the feet and also offer great acoustics.
Buy Vernacular and Local
Why look for mass-produced products a thousand miles away when you have the opportunity to buy creativity from the local artisans, isn’t it?
Firstly, indirectly, you’re not consuming millions of barrels of fuel used to transport your product.
And secondly, you’re simply appreciating the local art and motivating the small businesses to think big!
In a way, you’re not funding an industry that could be a major reason for climate change.
Meanwhile, embracing the talent and work of the community is what will help you stay stronger and eco-conscious.
Well, you can find a couple of great artisans in the local stores, cafes, and even Etsy (if located nearby)!
Or Repurpose and Recycle
Another great eco-friendly home décor idea is to rather repurpose your furniture or recycle the materials.
In a way, this could be better than purchasing new – since you’re reusing the existing furniture while defining a brand-new function.
Check out your local thrift stores for secondhand furniture and pretty vintage and antique items.
Also, just when you want to change the style of your furniture, etc. – you can simply upgrade the fabrics and finish for a brand-new look. (Rather than changing that piece of furniture completely)
Wanna get rid of that old bed? Well, it’s time to use the wooden frame for your footstools and bookcases.
Use Sustainable Upholstery
It’s time to stay away from leather, polyester, acrylic, and nylon fabrics for your couch, accent chairs, and ottomans!
Yes, your eco-friendly and sustainable home would simply love the use of natural and organic fabrics like recycled cotton, organic hemp, and organic linen.
These fabrics are sustainably sourced and aren’t a danger to you or your family.
Moreover, natural latex foam wrapped in organic wool is something you must look forward to in your daily use of furniture pieces.
Don’t forget to choose some vegan and animal-friendly options, indeed!
Soy or Beeswax Candles
Who doesn’t love the feel and smell of candles, right?
Well, whether it is the regular dinner time or some festivities – candles are the topmost priority to create a moody and positive atmosphere in the home.
However, regular candles that contain paraffin can truly emit harmful chemicals in the surrounding air – thus, proves more to be a threat to your breathing system.
So, in such a case, I recommend incorporating soy or beeswax fragranced candles that are comparatively eco-friendly.
They’re high-quality products that don’t release harmful toxins – Moreover, they’re much longer-living than any traditional candles.
Voila! Have an eco-friendly candle this Christmas!
Choose Linen Sheets
It’s not just the decoration but even the basics of your home that need to convey an eco-conscious and sustainable thought.
100% pure linen bed sheets are extremely durable and hypoallergenic that tend to get softer over the period of years.
And trust me, it simply feels so comforting and cozy!
(You wouldn’t want to leave them easily!)
Moreover, the appearances are absolutely timeless to help them stay fresh for a much longer time – without having the style fade away!
Takeaway
Sustainable interior design promises you a safe and secure future. Now that you see – transforming into an eco-friendly lifestyle and décor is not very challenging and expensive. All it requires is for you to stay proactive and think eco-friendly, eco-conscious, and extremely sustainable.
Right from changing sheets to switching lighting fixtures – you’re not far from helping the planet heal. So, go ahead and let these 11 eco-friendly décor ideas reflect your true personality and style! And just in case if I missed a pointer – do let me know in the comments below!
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