 We all like change, especially when it comes to our home surroundings. Home décor is one of the easiest places to begin making a home more green. It can also be one of the most enjoyable to personalize for any taste and budget.
Recycled decorations are a good start. There are numerous items made by major designers that accent any room. For sofas, there are pillows that are filled with recycled materials that have all sorts of styles. Try aiming for an eco-fill such as those which use recycled plastic and polyester. These keep high traffic recyclables out of the landfill. Many of the pillows use eco-friendly ink, so they can be recycled again. They are also very comfortable and easy to clean. There are numerous recycled aluminum vases, candleholders and more. Reclaimed woods are very easy to incorporate into a home. There are interesting designs out there such as chairs made from vintage rulers, table lamps made from reclaimed mango wood, and side tables that were created using wood from old bridges and much more. These can be found at decoration retailer stores all over the country. For more exotic decorations, try World Market or Pier 1 or try finding a fair-trade store that may have one-of-a-kind items.
Pottery is an easy way to make a home greener. Pottery uses clay that is taken right from the Earth. The key is to look for lead-free and nontoxic items. Buying from local artists is a good way to support your local economy and lessen the carbon burden for transportation. Also, unlike fussy chinaware, which requires hand-washing and special treatments, ceramic pottery doesn't require special, time-consuming treatment. It is dish washer safe.
There are great organic, natural fiber options for fabric décor in the home such as curtains, throw rugs, and blankets. Wool is a very popular material and is easy to find. It is very renewable since it comes from sheep which are shaven seasonally. It is also water-resistant, fire-resistant and looks better with age. Hemp, jute, bamboo and other grasses are other things worth trying. These are very renewable because they grow quickly and are very durable. Organic cotton is also another easy find that is eco-friendly because it is non-synthetic. When that or any other item is grown organically, it uses no pesticides or fertilizers and is kept under the best sustainable agricultural practices.
These suggestions are just a few of the many out there. Many stores such as IKEA carry all kinds of eco-friednly décor. The main thing to do is to try and buy recycled, nontoxic, renewable materials, and if possible, locally made.
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