Being eco-friendly in every possible aspect today is crucial. And using recycled and sustainable materials is definitely a way to start. In this article we’re going to look at 5 materials that you can recycle and reuse in home decorating.
Today there are green alternatives for almost every other popular alternative.
Contrary to widespread opinion, these options are not so pricey either. Plus they are stylish and they offer high quality.
Also, they also have a positive impact on our environment and they are sustainable.
If you’re interested to learn more on the topic, check out our list of the best eco-friendly home décor materials.
1. Organic cotton
One of the best eco-friendly home décor materials is definitely organic cotton.
Why is organic cotton better than natural cotton?
Because natural cotton is a crop that is highly chemically treated. The processing of cotton uses insecticides, pesticides and formaldehyde.
These pollutants remain in water and soil and they often affect the health of the workers who harvest it.
Organic cotton, on the other hand, doesn’t use GMOs or chemicals and it’s labelled with a fair-trade label. This means that the workers are not exploited. We can use organic cotton in many ways when redecorating our home.
You can update your living room with a new set of drapes made entirely from organic cotton, as well as towels and linens.
We can also replace our sofa with a one that’s covered in material made from organic cotton as well as matching pillows and throw blankets.
These redecorating ideas are not only eco-friendly but they also match the latest interior design trends.
Additionally, colors that reflect cotton’s natural hues like taupe, beige and light green use vegetable-based dyes. So they’re safe in that view as well.
2. Certain types of wood
One would think that all types of wood are eco-friendly, but that’s not entirely true.
The first type of eco-friendly wood is reclaimed wood. This means that the wood has been salvaged and thus it can be reused. The next type of eco-friendly wood is the so-called FSC wood.
Even though this kind of wood is mainly used in home construction. It is also used in home decorating when replacing old furniture with new, made from eco-friendly materials.
This includes different pieces of furniture such as:
- Sofas
- Armchairs
- Tables
- Chairs
- Desks
- Shelves
- and many others.
The FSC label means that strict sustainable forestry rules apply when sourcing wood. While at the same time not using pesticides and preserving natural habitat.
3. Green building materials
One of the green building materials that can be used in home construction or redesigning is concrete.
It is a natural material that can be recycled. Pre-cast concrete is an eco-friendlier option than concrete poured at site.
Why is that so?
Well, because precast concrete is poured into pre-made moulds over rebar or wire, and only then it’s cured. When the concrete hardens, it can be shipped and used for multiple structures. It achieves economies of scales in that way. And yet another eco-friendly building material are bricks.
Nowadays, there are a few options concerning the green types of bricks.
And if you already started your redesigning project and you miss some more bricks take a look at these affordable brick prices. You can order them and continue your project in no time.
4. Bio-glass
Bio-glass is a durable material with huge potential. It’s eco—friendly and highly sustainable as it is made from recycled glass, so nothing is wasted.
And it’s also clean of chemicals, making it safe for us. You can use it in redecorating your home in the bathroom in the kitchen by installing bio-glass tiles and countertops.
You can even find some small decorative items made from bio-glass.
5. Bamboo
Bamboo is a plant that grows quickly and it doesn’t require replanting after harvesting it. It doesn’t need any fertilizer nor pesticides and it actually enriches the soil. It matures between two and three years, which is a small number when compared to oak which reaches maturity after 100 years.
However, we need to be careful because not all bamboo products are eco-friendly. When it comes to transforming your home into a greener one, bamboo is used in making durable furniture and various décor items as well as in the manufacturing of towels, linens, and clothes.
As our planet is facing a huge environmental crisis, which is bound to have some devastating effects on the humanity in near future, we need to do everything we can to save our resources and live in an eco-friendlier manner. Making our home greener is the way to start.