Your home is your sanctuary, so keeping it in a gorgeous condition most likely means a lot to you. However, if planet earth means a lot to you as well, then don’t worry: you have environmentally friendly options out there to consider. If you’re looking to either revamp your home or decorate a new one in an environmentally friendly way, this guide can help.
Environmental Home Decorating Tips
Reduce the amount of energy you use
Incorporate design wherein you can reduce the amount of energy you use. Little things like replacing the bulb of your floor lamp with LED lights. Here are a few things you can do to lower your energy use.
Aim for natural lighting
Natural light is one of the most important elements in home decorating. It serves double duty as it can help in your home design especially if you are aiming for a contemporary look, and it can also save you money on your energy bill. There are a few ways that you can use natural light to improve the look of your home.
One way to use natural light is to paint your entire room walls a light color. This will reflect the light and make the room appear brighter. Another way to use natural light is to hang curtains or blinds that can be opened to let in the sunlight. You can also choose furniture and accessories that are made from light-colored materials, this is especially good for a small room to have more natural light.
Another great way to use natural light is to place mirrors around your house. Mirrors will reflect the light and make the room appear larger. You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of more windows in a room.
Choose energy-efficient appliances
Energy-efficient appliances not only can make your home look great, but it also uses less energy than standard models, and they can save you money on your utility bills. Some of the most popular energy-efficient appliances are refrigerators and dishwashers for your dining room and washing machines and dryers for your laundry rooms. Many of these appliances come with an Energy Star rating, which means that they meet or exceed the federal guidelines for energy efficiency.
When shopping for energy-efficient appliances, it’s important to compare the features and prices of different models. You should also make sure that the appliance you choose is the right size for your home. By taking these factors into consideration, you can be sure to find the perfect energy-efficient appliance for your needs.
Incorporate a hybrid energy system into your home design
A hybrid energy system is one that uses two or more different sources of energy to power your home. For example, you could use solar panels to collect energy from the sun, and then use a wind turbine to generate energy from the wind and then use a wood stove to generate heat from burning wood.
There are many different combinations of energy sources that you can use to create a hybrid system. The best combination for you will depend on the resources that are available to you, and on your own personal preferences. Many people will find solar panels or hybrid systems not aesthetic, but with the help of professional interior designers, you can probably find a way to incorporate this into your house design.
Choosing Real Milk Paint
When it comes to doing paint jobs on old furniture or your entrance hall walls, you should choose environmentally friendly paint. There are many reasons why environmentally friendly paint is good for you. One reason is that it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. This means that it won’t pollute the air or water when you use it. Also, eco-friendly paint doesn’t release any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. VOCs can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. Eco-friendly paint is also non-toxic. This means that it won’t harm your skin or eyes if you accidentally get some on yourself. And if you have small children or pets, you don’t have to worry about them being poisoned by eco-friendly paint fumes.
Milk paint works exquisitely for this purpose. You can also use it to paint your walls. Milk paint comes in gorgeous and bold colors and leaves an unmatchable rustic touch which instantly adds style and appeal to your home. One exciting fact about milk paint is that it is organic and made from raw materials. It’s perfect for a wood finish.
Decorate using recycled materials
Aside from using paint, you can also come up with some very environmentally friendly craft ideas and options for the revamping of your home or the decorating of a new one. Save glass jars of jams, pasta sauce, soup or fruit, and paint the lids a pretty color. You can use these decor containers for your dining room, to store rice, pasta, or to make your own jam, sauce, or fruit preserves. In fact, you can use them to even store seashells or to add craft store gems. In fact, you could recycle old newspapers and use them to paper-mâché your glass jars.
There are many ways to incorporate recycled materials into your home design. Used building materials, such as flooring, bricks, and lumber, can be repurposed for a variety of uses. Even household items, such as cans and bottles, can be used to create unique home décor.
Flooring is one area where recycled materials can be used. Bamboo floors are made from sustainable resources and add a natural look to any space. Cork floors are another option that is not only eco-friendly but also stylish.
If you’re looking for a more creative way to use recycled materials, try using them as accent pieces in your décor. Mason jars can be used as vases or lanterns. Old picture frames can be upcycled into mirrors or chalkboards. Get creative and see what unique ways you can incorporate recycled materials into your home design!
Decorate your home with indoor plants and vegetation
Indoor plants and vegetation can do more than just add some green to your home; they can also help improve air quality, boost and give you the right mood, and even purify the air around you.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting indoor plants is the level of light they will need. Most houseplants prefer bright, indirect sunlight, so it’s important to choose a spot in your home that gets plenty of natural light. If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your home, there are also a number of low-light houseplants that will do well in rooms with less sun exposure.
Also consider the overall look and space feel when selecting indoor plants. If you want a more relaxed and natural room feel, choose plants with soft, flowing leaves. For a more polished room feel, select plants with glossy leaves or colorful flowers. And if you’re looking to add a pop of color to your whole room, consider choosing plants with brightly colored flowers or bold color foliage.
Donate your old furniture
So you probably got new hardware, area rugs, bedroom mirror, living room sofa and others, so you want to throw out your old ones. Another option to help the environment is to donate your furniture. Someone will be bound to pick it up, whether it’s from the Goodwill or another thrift store. Or you could even try selling it at a yard sale. Whatever you do, try not to let your furniture end up taking space in a landfill. Your old furniture can bring new life to someone in need, including the environment.
Find out your decorating style
Not everyone’s home decorating style is the same. In fact, there are many different styles to choose from. Whether you prefer a more traditional look or something more modern, there’s a style out there for you. Not sure what your decorating style is? Here are some styles to choose from.
Farmhouse Style
Beachglass Real Milk Paint – Photo from Robert R.
Farmhouse design is a very popular style these days, and it’s not hard to see why. The rustic, yet chic aesthetic is perfect for creating an environmentally friendly, cozy and inviting home.
One of the most important things to consider when decorating in the farmhouse style is furniture. Look for a few pieces that are simple and sturdy, like a big chunk of wood as a coffee table or oak wood as a dining table or bench. You can often find great deals on antique furniture at thrift stores or yard sales. Another option is to purchase new furniture that has a distressed finish, which will give it a more vintage look.
Another key element of farmhouse design is fabric. Again, you want to stick with simple and natural fabrics like cotton or linen to use in your dining area, living space or powder room. Look for patterns that are classic and timeless, like gingham or stripes. And don’t be afraid to mix and match different fabric patterns for your big and small rug – it adds to the charm of the farmhouse aesthetic.
When it comes to color, there are a few key shades that are perfect for creating a farmhouse space feel. Stick with white paint, cream, pale blue, or any other lighter hue. These colors will help create the illusion of more space, which is always a bonus in any home. This is especially important to remember when decorating your reading nook.
Finally, add some personal touches to your farmhouse design with little accents and decorations. Hang some mason jars filled with fresh flowers on the front door or on the wall. Place a basket of apples on the coffee table. Or, fill a vase with wildflowers from your garden and put in your living space. These little touches will help give your entire home that warm,
welcoming feeling that is so essential to farmhouse style.
Contemporary House Style
One of the most important aspects of any contemporary home is a focus on simplicity and clean lines. This means that furniture is often sleek and uncluttered, and walls are generally left bare. Natural light is also a key element in contemporary design, so windows are usually large and plentiful.
Another important element of contemporary design is a focus on functionality. This means that homes are designed with an eye toward how they will be used, rather than simply how they will look. A coffee table for example would probably not be just for coffee but also an alternative workplace. Aesthetics are also important, and contemporary homes often feature interesting textures and geometric shapes.
Modern House Style
Barn Red Real Milk Paint, Warm Black Zero VOC Wax – Photo from Carla G.
Modern home design style emphasizes a balance of functionality and aesthetics. In many cases, this means incorporating beautiful, natural materials that can stand up to daily use in your living room, bedroom and other spaces. Wood floors, stone countertops, and wrought-iron fixtures are all popular choices in modern homes.
In addition to using natural materials, the modern home design also focuses on simplicity and clean lines. This means avoiding fussiness and clutter in favor of a more streamlined look. Modern homes often have an open floor plan, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light.
Where do I start when decorating my house?
If you’re starting from scratch, it’s best to begin with a blank canvas. Pick a wall in your house that you would like to feature as the focal point, and start from there. Once you have your focal point, you can begin to build the rest of your decor around it. If you already have some furniture and decorations in your home, you can use those as a starting point for your design.
Either way, the most important thing is to have fun decorating your house while helping the environment. Read more home decorating ideas here at Real Milk Paint.
