Decorating Options to Make Your Home Environmentally Friendly
The issue of sustainable living has been a hot topic for many years now as people seek out long-term strategies for an environmentally friendly existence. With governments in many parts of the world actively working to cut carbon emissions and encourage the take up of alternative sources of energy such as wind, solar and thermal power, individuals can also help in many simple ways.
One good strategy is to think about the types of materials that are available, and what furniture might be bought, when redecorating the home. This is a good starting point to becoming eco-friendly and may act as a springboard into other ‘green’ initiatives.
Source Sustainable Materials
Flooring is the first consideration when choosing decorating options. Whether it is for one or two rooms or the whole house, sustainable materials will reduce dependence on manufacturing processes that are heavy consumers of energy. Choosing wooden floors offers the option to use attractive woods that are harvested less, or ones that are made from recycled wood fibers.
Exploring the potential for using cork or bamboo as alternatives is an option, as these materials are renewed very quickly. On the internet, browse selections of tile flooring as an alternative and check that they have been manufactured sustainably.
If carpets are the preferred covering for some floors, obtaining new ones from a company with a recycling program is an eco-friendly solution. The carpet company will take away the old carpets and recycle them. When choosing new carpets, look for those that are recyclable back into carpet fiber so that the materials are reused.
Find Low Toxicity Paints for Decorating Options
The environment can be helped by the simplest of actions, and buying paint with low toxicity is one of them. Some paints contain highly toxic chemicals that can cause health problems and pollute the air. Instead, try to source paint that is labeled either zero-VOC or low-VOC. VOC refers to ‘volatile organic compounds’, which are very harmful ingredients in paint.
Furniture and Décor
It is not necessary to buy the latest brand-new furniture all the time, but if it fits within the budget then it pays to look for objects made from reclaimed wood. Not only does this help in the struggle to preserve forests, but many people also find the character and style of this type of furniture very attractive.
Looking after the environment is not just about using recycled materials – it is also about ensuring that farmers and workers from developing countries get a fair deal for their labors. The original organization to put this into practice was Fairtrade, and it is still going strong. Furnishings that carry the Fairtrade label are guaranteed to be sustainably made. Buying Fairtrade products not only helps the environment, it also helps to improve the lives of many thousands of workers throughout the world.
Go green inside
Dotting a variety of plants around the home not only adds delightful splashes of color throughout rooms, but also helps with the quality of air. Many plants are suitable for growing indoors, and some such as palms and ferns are noted for their effectiveness at removing harmful substances from the air, effectively cleaning it in the process.
With some careful thinking beforehand, decorating options for your home can be a truly environmentally friendly activity. Also if you want to learn more about this article, you should check our website.Â
