Eco-Friendly Home Decorating Ideas

Reducing your carbon footprint is more important now than ever before, and eco-friendly home decor is becoming more than a trend—it’s a necessity. Luckily, green-friendly decor can totally be eco-chic, so say goodbye to any outdated notion  that it has to be bland. At Modernize, we’re passionate about creating stylish spaces that are environmentally responsible, too. Here are some of our favorite tips.

Old is the New New

Can’t stand that tufted chair in your study? How about that end table you accidentally run into a few times a day? Furniture and accessories may not be working out in their current design and location, but that doesn’t mean they’re toast. The best way to protect the environment while redecorating is to upcycle and repurpose what you already have. This reduces waste and keeps our landfills just a bit cleaner.

Reupholster chairs and couches with fresh linens for spring. Add zest to any design with bright colors. A vibrant hue—like dewy green or fuschia—creates a focal point, and restaining old furniture can give it a breath of new life. Go for organic fabrics, like cotton, and low-VOC paints and stains to preserve a healthy air quality.

If you just can’t repurpose everything you own, donate unwanted items to a thrift center and do a little shopping, too. You may find a new treasure for a fraction of the price! If you’re really crafty, you can resuse materials like reclaimed wood and palettes to create new masterpieces.

Boost Your Color

Eco-friendly paints are easier to find these days, with major manufacturers like Benjamin Moore producing entire lines. Go for a crisp white to freshen up any space, then add pops of accent colors with throw pillows, rugs, and blankets.

You can paint an accent wall to create a focal point. This is a great way to incorporate color without overdoing it. We love positioning a repurposed sofa against a teal wall or reclaimed wood bookshelves against a burgundy backdrop. You can, of course, go for a full-color effect and paint the walls a bold new hue.

Decorate with Nature

Incorporating green into your home decor can literally provide a fresh breath of air. We love to set up an herb garden in the kitchen to offer tasty spices for cooking. It’s easy, too. You can turn almost any recycled tin or can into a planter. We love using decorative tea tins and mason jars. Just fill it with soil and plant your herbs, then holster your containers to the wall or set them on the windowsill. Make sure your plants have access to sunlight and research the best watering schedule.

In other rooms, you can decorate with bamboo, flowers, and ivy to create an environmentally friendly space. Outside, consider planting an organic fruit and vegetable garden. This enables you to be self-sufficient and avoid the harsh chemicals used in commercial agriculture. Your untreated garden will also be safer for wildlife.

Another pro tip is to incorporate windows into most of your rooms. Natural light is healthy for you, as it delivers essential vitamins to your skin. But in an eco-conscious aspect, natural light will help you conserve energy, by naturally warming the space and providing light, so you rely less on the heater and light switches. Position seating near the windows and use organic materials for curtains and valances.

These easy tips will give you a great start to tackling eco-friendly decor. One rule of thumb we always follow is to avoid waste as much as possible. Upcycle and repurpose what you can, and purchase reclaimed wood and recycled building materials. Enjoy creating your new space, and rest easily knowing you’re doing your part to make the world a better place.