Substantially Sustainable as High-Rise Remodel Goes Green

If you live in a high-rise apartment, there are probably some limits to what you can do in regards to remodeling. For example, most apartment buildings have restrictions that would prohibit you from tearing out the carpet or repainting the walls in bright shades. However, there are still plenty of decorating renovations you can indulge in. If you'd like to spice up the look of your high-rise apartment while also embracing a more environmentally friendly and sustainable "green" style of decorating, here are some ideas to help get you started.

Throw Rugs and Throw Pillows

Colorful throw rugs and throw pillows made from organic, sustainable and easily renewable materials are a great way to add a fresh new look to your apartment. Look for items that are made from materials such as bamboo, organic cotton or linen, wool, and other natural materials. Bamboo can be an especially attractive option, because it is such a quick-growing plant. Fabrics made from bamboo are also beautiful and soft, with natural anti-bacterial qualities. As such, bamboo is also an excellent choice for bathroom and bedroom linens.

When selecting throw rugs, throw pillows and other fabric accessories for your home, it's important to look at how the fabric was created in addition to the fiber content. Look for fabrics that are not only organic but which have also been manufactured in an environmentally responsible fashion. Fabrics that have been colored with natural dyes are more eco-friendly, in addition to having a beautiful natural look. It can also be helpful to do a bit of research about the manufacturer of the products. If you discover that they use energy efficient manufacturing methods and embrace a recycling program, you'll feel even better about your decorating purchases.

Plants and Flowers

Plants and flowers can be quite useful when decorating your apartment. Instead of buying paintings, prints, sculptures and other forms of decor, you can simply use plants and flowers as decorations. It's hard to beat the eco-friendliness of a houseplant or small indoor tree. To get the most from this style of decorating, choose a planter made from sustainable materials and choose a plant that is expected to live a long time. It's also best to choose a plant that can get by on a minimum amount of water, in order to conserve resources. You could even craft your own custom planter from recycled materials to add a nice personalized touch.

Furniture Choices

Using secondhand and recycled furniture pieces can be a great way to add an eco-friendly and sustainable touch to your high-rise apartment. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of low-VOC paint to spruce up an old piece of furniture. Even if a furniture piece is made from sustainable materials and is manufactured in an environmentally responsible fashion, it still requires energy and resources so that it can be made. By using secondhand furniture pieces, the need to make new pieces of furniture is eliminated. Additionally, you'll be doing your part to keep an old furniture pieces out of the landfill. And recycling applies to accessories and decor as well as furniture, so seek out used metallic wall sculptures or outdoor Western metal art at garage sales and resale stores.