Our homes truly are our castles. They are our refuge from the hectic world and the place we run to when we need to rejuvenate or just unwind from a crazy day. More than just a shelter, our homes are a reflection of ourselves and things we care about.
For that reason, I’d like my home to be a place where my passion for the environment and living a pure, healthy lifestyle can be showcased, which is why I’ve been learning more about how to give my home a green makeover.
Have you noticed that choosing green products and services isn’t difficult when you look for green alternatives to those things we use every day such as food, water, transportation, and other necessities? The same principle applies to green interior design. It’s not that difficult or pricey to give your interior design a green makeover, but it does take a willingness to look for alternatives and a hunger to design a home that expresses your personality in a very unique way.
The touch stones of eco-friendly designing are: recycle, reuse, or renewable.
Decor
Keeping items eco-friendly is just part of what it means to live an environmentally conscious lifestyle. The other aspect is about being aware of the amount of “things” we bring into our lives. After all, each item we use had to be produced and delivered to us, all of which requires energy and resources. Reuse old items or structural elements in your home in a new and different way as part of the new design. This is your chance to be creative. Can that old door be reused as a coffee table or a headboard? Your old vanity dresser can be used as a new bathroom sink just by cutting out holes for the sink and drainage system. The kitchen pots you don’t want anymore can be used as planters with drainage holes added to the bottom. There are hundreds of options for your creative mind to run with, don ‘t be afraid to really go for a unique design idea!
And, of course, if it can’t be reused in your space it can probably be reused by someone else. Don’t throw items out that can be donated to Goodwill or another thrift store or junk shop. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Etsy and Fab.com are great resources for handmade, micro-produced items which add a unique flair to your home décor.
Furniture and Building Supplies
Environmental engineers and manufacturers are working together to create stylish and eco-friendly products for savvy consumers using renewable or recycled sources. Look for products that are FSC certified, which means that the Forest Stewardship Council has verified that the producers are using forest resources responsibly.
Paints
The right color paint can dramatically change the look of a room; just make sure your paint isn’t making dramatic changes to your health as well. Did you know that traditional paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? These emit toxic chemicals into the air of the home, negatively affecting air quality. Now low-VOC and no-VOC paints are available. Benjamin Moore’s Natura line, is a budget-friendly option, and it’s available in a wide range of colors.
Flooring
The biggest element that sets a green home apart from a traditional home is the eco-friendly flooring. Unfortunately, many standard flooring options are not only environmentally harmful, but they contain toxic chemicals, which can be dangerous to your health. One of my favorite green flooring material is reclaimed wood. Floors that are made from boards that are saved from old barns, buildings, or logs not only look beautiful but also come with such a rich, vibrant history. Not to mention how well the material fits into our mantra of: recycle, reuse, or renewable.
Of course, you don’t have to reuse materials to keep your home green. Bamboo and cork flooring are increasingly popular materials with options that fit almost every budget.
Rugs
Did you know that wool is a natural fire retardant? That makes it a stylish and natural choice for a green home makeover. Wool also absorbs moisture and captures dust or pollen, which reduces the humidity and allergens in the air. Cotton or jute make good options as well.
Keeping Your Green Home Clean
Once you’ve repainted your walls, replaced your furniture, and gone organic with your linens, you’ll still need to keep everything clean. And you should make sure that your cleaning efforts don’t interfere with your greening efforts. We suggest EcoSpirit all-natural cleaning products to keep your new home green and clean.
Share your new interior designs with us on Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook. We’d love to see your before and after photos and hear what you’re doing to give your home a green makeover.