We all love decorating our homes now and then, no matter how trivial the change is. However, as environmental damage continues to be a pressing issue even in 2014, we should all strive to make our lifestyles more eco-friendly. We can start with sustainable interior design.
The best part about this is that there are many ways in which you can enhance the look of your home while simultaneously playing your part in helping the environment. Here are some creative ideas:
Natural Accessories
To start, consider getting natural items like seashells, coral, driftwood, and pinecones to display on your shelves or even in a bowl on your coffee table.
Don’t Discard It
Many things fall into this category. For example, instead of discarding glass jars of your favorite soup, jam, or sauce, you can make them decorative by painting their lids with pretty colors and then reusing them to store other food items.
On a slightly larger scale, you can also use old sheets as:
- Linings on glass front doors
- Café curtains
- Pillow covers
Of course, regarding the last option, you can always purchase pillow covers made from sustainable materials. But if you can’t use your old sheets for any of the above, you can still use them as cleaning cloths and pet bedding.
Reupholster Furniture
Are you tired of your old furniture? Unless the piece is worn out, you should reupholster rather than replace that chair or sofa. For all you know, all you need to do is replace the frame or repair the cushion at a lesser cost than getting a new one.
Couple this with the point on pillow covers. You can always get new decorative covers instead of getting new pillows. In that way, you can have a different look after every few months without spending much. Getting new accent pillow covers can change the look of your existing furniture.
Making It Functional
Speaking of old furniture, there are several creative ways to keep it in use and avoid discarding it. For instance, if you have an old coffee table, you can easily convert it into a drawing board by painting the top with black chalkboard paint!
Likewise, if you have to get a table for the dining room, don’t think that the only option is to buy a new one. You should instead get a table base kit and get some reclaimed lumber from a local salvage yard to make your table. It’s worth the effort.
Where to Buy Used Decorative Items
The internet is the best place to find decorative items made using recycled and eco-friendly materials. Visit Craigslist or eBay, and you will find great fashion and home décor resources. There are ample items in the used category, but they can surely improve the outlook of your home.
You can also check with the local municipal garbage and recycling depots, preferably to see if they have free paint exchange programs. These programs work as follows: you bring them leftover paint and get a new one for free. The only limiting factor is that such programs don’t offer the same color range as a paint shop. But you are getting significant savings for smaller paint projects!
Finally, you can call your local U.S. Green Building Council office or local building department to find the best eco-friendly stores around you. Using recycled and reused home decor not only curbs environmental damage but also makes these materials highly durable and doesn’t require major maintenance.
It’s a win-win situation.
How KOVI Is Playing Its Part
You should know that at KOVI, we strive to maximize natural and sustainable materials in all our products and minimize our environmental impact as much as possible.
Our fabric uses minimal waste and zero toxins and strives to reduce environmental emissions. Hence, when you purchase our accented pillows or covers, you automatically go green!
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