6 Affordable Eco-Friendly Home Decorating Ideas

Creating an eco-friendly home doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend a lot of money on buying sustainable products. Going green is a way of life where you make mindful choices to preserve the earth’s natural resources. You can easily start off with a pledge not to buy any more plastic containers at home or planting more trees around your home. Making eco-friendly choices is the need of the hour to save our planet from being polluted by chemicals and other hazardous waste. It is high time we start inculcating eco-friendly habits in our children as they are going to build the future. If you have thought about turning home into an eco-friendly habitat without costing a fortune, we have some good tips for you right here. These 6 decorating ideas will inspire you to revamp your home in a nature-friendly manner.

1. Go Green with Indoor Plants

First things first, plants will never disappoint you as they bring life to your dull spaces. Apart from that, they bring freshness to the surroundings and purify the air too. Plants and trees help to balance the humidity level in the house thus reducing your chances of falling sick. Growing plants even have proven benefits on a person’s mental well-being also. You can choose air-purifying plants such as ZZ plant, Snake plant, Palm, Peace Lilly, Spider plant, etc to decorate the indoors. If you have a spacious balcony, then you can place hanging plants, other flowering varieties and creepers to create a refreshing little garden. Having a home garden will also mean that you can grow your own vegetables and herbs.

2. Say Yes to Second-Hand Goods

Buying second-hand goods may seem a little weird especially if you are not used to it. However, it’s not as bad as you think it is. People have started realizing that they are wasting a lot of money on buying expensive furniture and accessories. So now it’s your turn to explore gently used items such as furniture, apparel, appliances, etc. If you are keen on saving some money while doing your part to save the environment, buying gently used stuff is the right thing for you. Even in foreign countries, thrift stores are becoming more and more popular as there is a huge demand among buyers. Moreover, nowadays the digital medium offers you unlimited opportunities to discover second-hand items in any city you are looking for. Facebook marketplace, Quikr, OLX, e-Bay, etc are some of the leading portals where you can find used furniture, decor items and much more. So the next time you are planning to buy something for your home, see if you can get a gently used item. 

3. Use Energy Efficient Lighting

Here is another useful tip for those who are looking for a sustainable way of living. Do you have a lot of artificial lights in your home? If yes, then it’s time to find out whether they consuming a lot of electricity or not. The lights that you have installed a decade ago may not be suitable for today’s lifestyle. A fancy chandelier may look good in your hall but it is not suitable for daily use as it can consume a lot of electricity. Consider replacing the lights with energy-saving options such as LED& CFL lights to enjoy great savings on the energy bill. LED lights produce softer light and are long-lasting, unlike traditional incandescent bulbs. Also, don’t forget to switch off the lights during the daytime to save energy. Keep your windows open and let sunlight light up your home. 

4. Choose non-toxic wall paints

Painting your home is an unavoidable procedure that you should perform atleast once in a few years. However, you may not be aware that some paints contain toxic chemicals named Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to humans and the environment. These compounds can release harmful emissions into the atmosphere, making the air toxic. These emissions may cause allergies, irritation and other chronic diseases if exposed for a longer period of time. Most of the people do not pay attention to the type of paint they are using in their homes. But from now onwards do check the labels before you buy them. So if you are planning to give a fresh new coat of paint for your house walls or cupboards, choose a non-toxic paint free of VOCs.

5. Sustainable decor materials 

If you wish to buy new decorative stuff to jazz up your home, consider buying things made of natural materials like bamboo, linen, jute, wool, plant fibre, etc. Make a conscious effort to avoid buying bed linen and furnishing made of synthetic materials. For example, floor rugs made of natural fibres and upcycled fabric can be an ideal choice for your home. Curtains made of organic wool, linen, hemp, etc are perfect for creating an eco-friendly living space. While choosing to buy new furniture or wooden accessories, try to buy those made of reclaimed wood as they have a lower impact on the environment and are also pocket-friendly.

6. Choose Natural Fragrances

Home fragrances are an essential part of our homes as they fill the air with a pleasant smell. Walking into a home with a fresh and soothing fragrance gives a relaxing feeling. Chemical room fresheners may have a strong smell but they can cause many health problems like wheezing and allergy in the long run. Replace the chemical room fresheners with natural air fresheners made of dried spices or flowers. You can also use nature-friendly scented candles made of soy wax or beeswax. These candles fill your room with soothing aroma and also enhance the aesthetic beauty of your home. 

Conclusion

These easy and affordable eco-friendly home decorating ideas will help you add more charm to your home, while you can be proud that you are doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint. Every small decision you take may have a significant impact on the earth. So think twice before you make a purchase or discard old stuff from your home. Dress up your home the way you love it by reusing, recycling and reducing.