I like having my house look well put together and decorated, and I even like to take on the occasional craft project now and then. What I don’t like is using a bunch of toxic chemicals or products to get the job done and spending a fortune to do it. I also don’t like all of the waste I see after one of these decorating projects. I end up wasting and spending more than I would have if I just paid someone to do it or bought something already done in the first place. I know eco-friendly is the buzz word of the decade, but it really does make sense to keep the environment and my own health in mind if I’m going to do any sort of re-decorating. Below are a few of the affordable, eco friendly decorating ideas that I’m trying at the moment. Hopefully, you will get some inspiration as well!
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Affordable Eco Friendly Decorating Ideas
Update Your Textiles
One of the quickest ways to update any room is to update the fabrics. Adding new hand towels or a shower curtain in the bathroom, new dish towels in the kitchen, or a new sheet set or duvet cover in the bedroom can make an instant impact and doesn’t have to cost that much. You also don’t need to buy toxic chemical laden fabrics to get the look you want. Choose 100% organic cotton, bamboo or hemp. All are eco-friendly and sustainable. They may cost slightly more than synthetic brands up front, but they will hold-up and last a lot longer.
(If you are looking to invest in larger pieces of fabric furniture like a couch, make sure to check what is being used on the inside as well as the fabric on the outside. Check out my post 5 Affordable Couches Without Flame Retardants to learn more.)
A few decorating textiles I like:
Organic Kitchen Towels, Organic Cotton Sheet Set, Organic Bathroom Towels, Organic Cotton Duvet Set
Handmade Décor
Check your local craftsmen or online retailers like Etsy for handmade items that use natural or reused materials. When you shop local or handmade, you can have direct contact with the maker, so you know where the materials were sourced from. You will also most likely get something that no one else has, so you can make a statement in the room you are decorating.
Reuse – Differently
Scour flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, or any of your relative’s basements or attics for items that can be reused, but maybe in a different way than they were originally made for. Try using an old ladder to hold magazines or throw blankets, or use old vintage windows or architectural items as wall hangings. Barrels and baskets make great storage bins for toys or clutter. If you can reuse an old piece of furniture, you can paint it (see below) or use it in a different room. A dresser in the dining room as a buffet, or an old ornate door as a headboard.
Nature Inspired
(Picture from HGTV.com)
Don’t pay for what is already natural in your yard or what you already have in your fridge or pantry. Fruits and veggies that might be turning make groupings for centerpieces on a table and flowers, leaves and branches in vases never go out of fashion. Also, don’t forget about plants and trees. There are many potted plants and trees that will do well indoors and some even help clean the air. (see my article 6 Indoor Plants to Purify the Air for more). Large varieties near a window in the living room or even the bathroom are great focal points.
Paint
Low or no VOC paint that is. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but paint is your cheapest and best ally in decorating your home. Low and no VOC paint won’t have the toxic fumes that regular paint has, so you won’t have to air out the room before you go in. You can also use paint in unexpected ways. Use stencils or patterns on the wall in place of wall paper, or think about painting the risers of your stairs. Old and tired kitchen and bathroom cabinets can also benefit from a crisp coat of white paint. A lot of people have even used paint on their floors to completely change a room. Paint can also be used to update lamps, mirrors and picture frames. Try fun colors, or even chalk board paint. It too comes in low VOC versions.
I like Behr’s Premium Plus brand paints from the Home Depot since they are UL GREENGUARD GOLD Certified for low chemical emissions, but there are a lot of different brands to choose from now.
These are just five easy, affordable and eco-friendly ways to decorate your house while also watching out for your health and the environment. A definite win-win all the way around.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of the ideas above or have any other eco friendly decorating ideas in the comments below.
