Home upgrades are a lovely way to make your living space feel fresh and new. However, many home upgrades require renovation, which isn’t only expensive but often also time-consuming. Besides, renovation can be ecologically-damaging, considering the waste that frequently goes along with such works.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with renovating your home, but if you’re in the mood for some changes, then here are some eco-friendly upgrades that won’t require any major work.
1. Rearrange the furniture
This is the fastest and easiest way to add something new to your home. After all, it’s the most affordable one, too. Rearranging the furniture will breathe a new life into your home, especially in spaces that you use often, such as a living room or a dining room. As long as you keep things comfortable and clutter-free, you’ll be able to move and rearrange the furniture with ease. This is one of the easiest home improvement projects that costs very little of your time and other resources.
2. Repaint things that seem boring and old
Sometimes, the best way to spruce up your decor is to repaint things that seem old, boring or lifeless. You can also use old jars, cans or glass bottles and repaint them in vibrant colors to add more personality to your home. Besides, this is also a great way to reduce your waste, especially when it comes to things you’d otherwise throw out.
However, if you want to keep things eco-friendly, then it’s best to use low or zero VOC paint. This means that the pain has low or no levels of microplastics. Microplastic can be damaging to the environment, especially oceans.
3. Use plants as your major decor element
Plants do make everything better, including the interior decor. Aside from being aesthetically beautiful, indoor plants are also beneficial for your health, by positively affecting the air quality inside your home. But be sure to do your research about various indoor plants, mainly if you’re inexperienced when it comes to growing and maintaining them. There are many low-maintenance plants such as snake plant, aloe vera and various succulents. Many indoor plants also require LED grow lights that not only help plants grow properly but also provide a beautiful setting for your home.
4. Feel free to beautify your floors
Floors are an important part of your home, especially when it comes to decoration. Changing the old tiles, or wooden flooring can be quite refreshing and healthy. Still, this also requires a lot of planning, plus it can be costly. That’s why it’s advisable to opt for rugs or carpets in order to make your space more inviting and warmer. Also, when choosing a new rug, be sure to find a quality piece, made of sustainable materials, such as wool/cotton fibers. Having eco-friendly rugs handmade of sustainable fabrics will add a special sense of comfort and warmth to your space. Rugs are supposed to be durable and long-lasting, because of the constant use, so make sure to pick something made with the environment in mind.
5. Make the most of natural lights
Natural light is the best accessory, because everything looks better with some sunlight, that’s for sure. Besides, natural light will help you cut down the consumption of energy, which is beneficial if you’re into an eco-friendly way of living. Aside from having large windows, the best way to maximize natural light is by decorating with mirrors. If you position them carefully, opposite windows or to the adjacent wall, it will increase natural light. Using mirrors is also a great trick if you live in a small space and have less access to natural light.
6. Use natural materials and fabrics
The age of consumption favors plastic and other artificial materials due to their low price and availability. But, as we’ve mentioned before, such materials can be damaging to the environment. Therefore, using natural fabrics and materials is a great method to spruce up your home.
Organic upholstery, solid wood, wicker, bamboo and linen are all excellent suggestions if you’re looking to make your household more eco-conscious. Longevity is always an important factor, as it decreases the need for additional consumption and waste.
7. Repurpose your old furniture
Recycling and reusing are the most important aspects of an eco-friendly lifestyle. Sure, throwing out an old chair might seem like a sound idea, but in reality, it just creates more waste. This is why repurposing old furniture is such a great alternative.
If you’re a bit crafty, you can do it with only a few essential tools. And if you like the idea of repurposing, then feel free to check out local thrift stores, as they often sell old pieces that can be redesigned with a bit of effort and imagination.
Final thoughts
You deserve to have a beautiful home, but redecorating can be extremely taxing on the environment. These upgrades will help you change decor without any major and costly renovations. As long as you pay attention to energy consumption, shopping habits and the materials you use, your home will be your own green and elegant refuge.
About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s produced thousands of pages of original, engaging content for numerous online publications throughout his career. Mike’s specialties are business and technology, but he also often writes about travel, lifestyle and work-life balance.
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