The following is a guest post by writer Caroline Smith. I hope you enjoy!
To keep our planet in good condition for future generations, modern consumers are going to have to make eco-friendly choices in all of their activities. Changing the look of a home is an easy area in which to do this because of the great variety of green products which manufacturers are now providing. Eco-friendly materials are available for use on both the inside and outside of a home and can make it more comfortable and pleasing to the eye.
The Bamboo Worker - image courtesy of finnegan_again on Flickr
Flooring
When working to achieve a new look for the home, owners might wish to start with new flooring. The following are excellent choices for anyone wishing to be kind to the environment:
• Choose renewable bamboo for flooring or bamboo throw rugs for color.
• Consider carpeting or large rugs made from one hundred percent organic wool.
• Cover subflooring with various sizes of overlapping brown paper from grocery bags. Once arranged, glue down and cover with several thick coats of polyurethane.
• Collect left-over tiles from neighbors and friends and arrange in patterns to fit the floor space needing to be covered.
• Use composite decking materials for outer decks.
don't toss that sofa! use a slipcover to make it look brand new!
Furniture
Reusing old furniture can also help save natural resources and prevent landfills from overflowing. With the knowledge of just a few basic decorating tricks, it is easy to change a boring room into an up-to-date, family-friendly environment. The following furniture solutions are not very costly, but they can have a huge visual impact:
• Tighten joints, hinges and screws on older pieces of furniture and use eco-friendly paint that does not give off volatile organic compounds to give them a fresh look without adding contaminants to the air.
• Cover scratched or dented furniture with crocheted dollies or table runners and use bowls of pine cones, nuts, vegetables or fruit as centerpieces.
• Switch furnishings from one room to another; for example, use a bookcase for a bedside table or move a small filing cabinet from the study to the den, place a table cloth and lamp on it, and use it as an end table.
• Purchase inexpensive furniture covers for chairs or couches that have visible damage or are covered in outdated upholstery material.
pillow made from recycled men's shirt & burlap coffee sacks by REpurposingNOLA
Other Ideas
Other little changes that might brighten a home without causing environmental damage include the following:
• Choose fabrics for curtains or shades that are made from eco-friendly materials such as cotton, jute, silk, or hemp.
• Paint an accent wall or two with organic paint that does not give off volatile organic compounds in order to prevent air contamination.
• Use the fabric from old clothes, including colorful denims, to make throw pillows for the beds or couches.
The more thought that goes into the redecorating process, the more likely it will be a success. Consider all of the naturally sustainable products available, and items you already have that could be reused, before launching into any new home renovations. With a little care and attention you can give your home a green facelift knowing that your changes are environmentally-friendly.
This is a guest post from Caroline Smith, who loves furnishing her home with eco-friendly finds. She has a website about slipcovers for couches where you can find advice on extending the life of old furniture.
Want more ideas on giving your home a green makeover? Check out the book Green Living by Design: The Practical Guide for Eco-Friendly Remodeling and Decorating, available at Amazon.
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