3 Simple Ways to Go Green With Your Decor

Want to be stylish and environmentally-friendly at the same time? Going green is all the rage right now, especially when it comes to your healthy home. There are ways you can make your interior design a little green without choosing it as your primary color. It’s easy to be more green, plus it’s a practical choice to create an eclectic and savvy look. Consider these three easy ways to go green with your home decor.

1. Go Organic in the Bedroom

You can think beyond the produce aisle when buying organic. HGTV defines organic bedding as sheets and pillowcases made from natural fibers grown without synthetic pesticides. Organic bedding is a great choice to include in your healthy home, because it doesn’t expose your body to artificial contaminants or treatments meant to soften the fabric.

The two most common choices for organic linens are cotton and bamboo. Make sure the package is labeled as organic, as not all cotton or bamboo sheets are made naturally. The label will indicate if the material was grown without chemicals. Also, look for sheets that have a minimum of 250 to 400 thread count, as the lack of chemical processing may make organic sheets stiffer than traditional material. Buying a higher thread count will ensure your new sheets are as comfortable as they are good for the environment. However, avoid sheets with a thread count over 800. The tight weave will make the linen less breathable and rough to the touch.

2. Think Green Furniture

Eco-friendly furniture adds attractive pieces to your home decor — made in ways that are better for the environment. Treehugger points out that purchasing green furniture can be tricky, but offers some tips for finding your best options.

Look for certification –Deforestation is a serious concern that negatively affects the climate, destroys ecosystems, erodes the soil, and causes many other environmental issues. Sustainable sources grow trees just for harvesting and leave natural forests intact, so if you’re “thinking green,” you’ll want to look for sustainably-sourced materials . Organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council ensure that the wood is taken from sustainable forests and prepared correctly.

Reclaimed Materials – Reclaimed wood is taken from sources that would normally end up in a landfill, such as old funiture, demolished houses, factory scraps, river logs, and man-made reservoirs. This allows furniture makers to use perfectly good wood to make their pieces and avoid cutting down a tree. Like certified wood, reclaimed products are usually endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance and other organizations.

Additionally, try to think beyond wood for recycled materials. For instance, you can look for deck chairs made from recycled plastic bottles to contribute to your healthy home. Do some research to find furniture distributors who use old materials to create modern pieces that are more unique than what you can find in any commercial store.

3. Upcycle for Something a Little Different

Reusing and recycling is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. Clean out the garage and attic to see what you have sitting around that you forgot was even there. Turn older pieces into new, trendy accents for your home — you’ll be doing a world of good and making your home look cutting-edge at the same time.

The key to effective upcycling is to think outside the box. An old door makes a neat table when you add four legs. Remove the seat and a straight back chair makes a cool planter. If you need some inspiration, type “upcycled furniture” into the Google image search or Pinterest. Upcycle Magazine offers tricks for creating new pieces for every room in the house, too.

Now You Know It’s Easy

Want a naturally healthy home? Going green will ensure you get products that are good for you and your family, as well as the environment. From reusing something old, but still good, to buying materials grown safely, you can make your home a green one with a few smart choices.