We have a bad track record in the United States for environmentally-friendly home goods and furniture. Much of the décor that you find in big box stores can contain dangerous and volatile chemicals (urea formaldehyde is among the most prevalent) or unsustainable harvested materials.
Consumers are demanding safer and more renewable options for their families, and the market is finally reacting to that demand in a major way. More and more eco-friendly furnishings are becoming widely available each day.
Here are some suggestions to bring environmentally smart and natural styles into your living space.
- Add Some Green
Houseplants have long been used as a means to add natural elegance and charm to the home. Though beautiful, plants placed in the home can serve other purposes as well, such as purifying the air we breathe and buffering the room humidity to an optimum level. Plants are even said to have a positive effect on health and recovery; some people report faster healing from wounds and ailments.
Due to a living plant’s need for maintenance, it’s no surprise that man-made décor to mimic the splendor of real plants is so popular; it can be a chore to make sure everyone is happy and watered. Thankfully, planter manufacturers have made constant watering a thing of the past with products like ePlanters – indoor & outdoor decorative planters.
- Replace Dirt Harboring Carpet with Natural Wood Flooring
Did you know that your carpet could be a major culprit when it comes to allergy irritation and respiratory infections? Man-made carpeting is horrible for the health of humans due to its ability to trap filth and the off-gassing of toxic chemicals from the plastic from which it is made. Natural carpet products do exist and can be a partial compromise if you’re not ready to part with your wall to wall rugs just yet.
The best option to replace carpet with would be planet-friendly and sustainably-forested wood or bamboo flooring. Many options and styles of panels are available today for any budget or aesthetic.
- Use Reclaimed or Recycled Materials
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is an often-heard mantra of those that are most concerned with our ecosystem: use that phrase as a basis to design your home around. The energy and resources used to make an old barn door, or an ornate antique vanity, can be preserved if you choose; reduce your carbon footprint and save perfectly good materials and objects from rotting in a landfill by reusing when you can.
- Consider Natural Fabrics over Synthetic
Synthetic textiles are almost impossible to stay away from these days. One of the contributing factors towards the rapid rise in carbon dioxide levels is the manufacturing practices used while producing plastic. Due to the way they are manufactured, the overall cost of such plastic is much cheaper. Petroleum products are also widely known to not be the safest option available due to carcinogenic compounds they contain.
Natural fibers like hemp, bamboo or flax offer the environmentally conscious person options when looking to furnish their home. The flexibility and charm of natural textiles surpasses that of synthetics in every way.
Décor and furnishing manufacturers that cater directly to clients who care about our planet are growing in size and popularity with each passing year. You won’t have to compromise your morals to achieve the look you want with so many products available, so be a bit pickier when shopping for environmentally-friendly options!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
