A well-designed home can improve your mood, and mental well-being and also help you relax; now imagine how you will feel knowing that your space is not only well-decorated but can be beneficial to your environment as well.
An eco-friendly home design doesn’t mean you have to go off the grid completely, no matter your budget or taste, there are many sustainable options for you. So, if you are looking to redecorate your home in an eco-friendly and sustainable way, this guide will share some helpful tips that can help you.
What Does it Mean to be Eco-Friendly?
Being eco-friendly is simply choosing products that don’t cause harm to the environment or to other people. This can include choices to limit plastic use, reduce demand for non-renewable energy sources, use organic products, repair older items instead of disposing of them and so on.
How Do You Know if a Product is Eco-Friendly?
It is important to know some companies just use the eco-friendly tag as a marketing strategy, it doesn’t mean their products actually fit into that category so you must be careful to observe if the products that you are buying are truly eco-friendly.
First, look out for items that have certifications from credible organizations such as the Energy Star program, the Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Stewardship Council, Greenseal or USDA Organic Seal.
You can also research the company by yourself and check for reviews from customers to be sure of the company’s claims.
Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Tips For Sustainable Redecorating
Upgrade Your Windows
According to the US Department of Energy, heat loss and heat gain through windows are responsible for about 30% of energy consumption in homes. So heating and cooling your home takes a lot of energy but you can cut down on that waste by upgrading to energy-efficient windows with two or three glass panes sealed in a single unit.
Although changing your windows can be costly, it is worth it in the long run considering how much energy you will save all through the year.
Switch to LED light bulbs
This is one of the most essential eco-friendly home improvements you need to make for sustainability. Switch to energy-efficient lighting systems like LED light bulbs, they are not so expensive and you can wait till when your light bulbs go out to start replacing them gradually. These bulbs last longer and can save energy effectively, also you can use them throughout your home as well as for landscape lights and holiday lights.
Use Non-Toxic Paint
You may not know but some paints contain harmful chemicals which are released into the air when you use them, and they can cause health problems like organ damage, weak immune system, cancer, etc. So choose non-toxic paints made from natural ingredients like clay, plant oils or milk protein and consider using wall murals to add beauty and warmth to your home.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Another way for sustainable redecoration in your home is to reduce waste, whenever it is possible buy items made from recycled materials and items that can be reused. You can also recycle the items that you no longer need or try to repurpose them before replacing them.
Add Plants to Your Home
Plants add beauty to your home and also help to clean your air, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. So adding plants to your home is a great way to create eco-friendly living and improve your air quality which is important for good health.
If you do not have much time to cater to plants you can choose low maintenance plants that require less care and water.
Look Out for Eco Labels
One of the easiest ways to use eco-friendly products for your decor is to check for the labels, most companies will signify specifically if a product is eco-friendly. However, this is not fully reliable but it helps most times.
Go Plastic Free
Plastic waste contributes a significant part of environmental waste, so reducing your consumption of single-use plastics or going completely plastic-free, is the best way to positively change your environment.
Practice Mindful Consumption
Finally, above all, you should be mindful of your consumption. It isn’t enough to just use the right products for your home decor, you need to buy only necessary things. Don’t buy what you don’t need so it doesn’t contribute to waste and energy consumption. Furthermore, prioritize longevity and products that can adapt to changes in trends.
If you can implement environmental sustainability in your home decor and designs, you will successfully reduce waste, minimize your carbon footprint, and lower energy consumption in your environment. In time, this will lead to cleaner air, less waste, cleaner water and better quality of life for everyone around you. So follow these tips to make your journey to sustainability easier and create a safe environment for yourself and those around you.