Green Home Decor: Environmentally-Friendly Home Decorating Ideas

These days, more and more people are becoming aware of the toll that chemicals, pollutants, and deforesting are taking on the environment, and many people are choosing to go green when painting, decorating, and selecting home decor. It is becoming increasingly important to select environmentally-friendly paint, lighting, flooring, furniture, and wall decor, and retailers and manufacturers are realizing this ever-increasing need. Going green is becoming more affordable than ever, and it is never too late to begin decorating with earth-friendly home decor. The following environmentally-friendly home decorating tips and ideas will help you get started.

Environmentally-Friendly Paint

Ordinary paint that is not labeled as safe for the environment emits volatile organic compounds, more commonly referred to as VOCs. Not only are VOCs harmful to the environment, but they are also potentially harmful to those breathing the air within a room painted with these chemical compounds. When striving to go green, search for environmentally-friendly paint appropriately labeled. More and more paint manufacturers are realizing the importance of environmentally-friendly paint, and many are striving to meet the demands of those wanting green products for their home.

Sustainable Wood Furniture 

It takes decades for a tree to fully mature but just a matter of seconds for it to fall to the forest floor. When striving to go green with environmentally-friendly home decor and furnishings, look for items made with bamboo. Furniture made from bamboo is exceptionally sturdy, and unlike the wood from trees commonly used for home furnishings, bamboo which is actually a type of grass, takes just a few years to mature. It has been used in tropical locations for building sturdy foot bridges and homes, and it is incredibly strong. It is also exceptionally beautiful, and it is ideal for furniture and other home furnishings.

When searching for sustainable wood furniture, if the furniture is not made from natural bamboo, look for a label that says the furniture is FSC Certified. Under FSC principles the wood was collected while protecting indigenous animals, plants, soil, and the forest it came from, all with inherent manufacturing and limited chemical usage.

Reclaimed Home Furnishings

Another way to furnish a home in an environmentally-friendly way is by purchasing used furniture and home decor. It might not have been manufactured using green items in an environmentally-friendly manner, but since it is already available, putting it to good use will keep it from ending up in a landfill. Even if you do not like the finish or fabric, it can be refinished or recovered with green products to match the style of existing home decor.

Framed Wall Mirror Options

When decorating a contemporary home, consider selecting a stylish beveled wall mirror framed with environmentally-friendly bamboo material. When envisioning bamboo decor, keep in mind that it can be found in a variety of eco-friendly vibrant water-based colors. However, a dramatic black and brown bamboo and wood framed contemporary mirror would look outstanding in a modern room or space of almost any color.

Throw Rugs

Rugs and carpets made of synthetic material are not earth-friendly or green. Look for throw rugs made from sisal, organic cotton, bamboo, or other completely natural green products. Synthetics are petroleum by-products, and they are not biodegradable. When they become too worn to use, many times they end up in landfills and do not break down like natural green materials. Decorating rooms and protecting flooring with natural fiber rugs is a fantastic way to add style to the home without contributing to ever-increasing environmental problems.

Selecting Wall Art

One of the best ways to ensure home decor is environmentally friendly is by making sure the items you choose are items you plan to keep. Select high-quality metal wall art, canvas wall art, or wrought iron wall art that will stand the test of time. Choose pieces that can be used elsewhere in the home when it is time for a change. Even if you decide you no longer want specific works of art, if they are high in quality and stylish, someone else certainly will. These types of wall decor and home accents will never end up in a landfill.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "Toilet alcove" courtesy of wakingmagenta - "Home furnishings" courtesy of Madrigal Photography - "Metal balls" courtesy of Larsz - "Lit Desk" courtesy of meiburgin