4 tips for sustainably styling your home
You don’t have to switch up an entire room to make it feel brand-new. If you’ve ever dabbled in interior decoration, you know that there are many elements that come into play when giving your space that revamp it’s been begging for, including how the room will look and feel. While these components are noteworthy, have you ever made design choices that take into account how a room will affect the health of your family and the environment?
From flooring to upholstery, LEED-certified residences incorporate environmentally preferable materials and cut down on waste, energy use and resource depletion. But sourcing eco-conscious materials doesn’t have to remain exclusive to the LEED community—anyone can do it! If you are hoping to sustainably spice up your room, check out these tips on how to transform your home, keeping your health and the environment at the forefront.
Repurpose materials
When we think of redesigning a room, it’s easy to think about the high costs associated with doing so. However, with design trends shifting to focus more on sustainability, many designers are turning to repurposed materials to design their spaces. From repainting a dresser to turning old jars into chandeliers, there are many ways to add a little something extra to your room with repurposed items that can be found in your own home.
Recycle old furniture
There’s no shame in needing new furniture to transform your space. However, it’s important to think about where that old furniture goes. There are various ways to recycle your old furniture, including selling it, donating it, repurposing it and more. To find out what options you have to discard old furniture, check out five ways to recycle old furniture to cut back on what materials end up in the landfill.
Bring the outdoors in
Recent studies from the EPA have found, the average person in the U.S. spends 90% of their life indoors. A simple way to add some life to any space is to bring in fresh plants, which can help improve your mood, air quality and comfort in the room. If you’re a first-time plant owner, explore our roundup of six low-maintenance plants that can improve indoor air quality.
Buy local
Buying materials for your redesign does more than support your local businesses. It also helps cut down on the energy used in shipping and travel costs.
To learn more about elements of a green home, check out one of our latest infographics, What makes LEED homes so green?
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