Guest Blog:
Sustainable Decorating On A Budget
Sustainability is more than just a hot topic. Many people are starting to lead more sustainable lifestyles in an effort to preserve the planet and fight back against things like global warming.
Living sustainably includes everything from reducing your carbon footprint to eliminating waste. It can even impact the way you choose to redecorate your home. Thankfully, redecorating with the environment in mind doesn’t have to break the bank.
If you’re decorating on a budget, there are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar while staying sustainable. In fact, you might find that many eco-friendly decorating ideas are budget-friendly, too.
Not sure where to get started? Once you prioritize the things you want to decorate and take a look at what you’re willing to spend, it will be a lot easier to decide how to move forward.
In the meantime, let’s cover a few ideas that will help you stay sustainable while decorating on a budget.
Don’t Buy New Items
One of the easiest ways to give your space new life is by purchasing used items.
It takes a lot of energy to manufacture things like furniture, decor, and even fabric. You have to consider the labor that goes into everything, the transportation, and the use of resources. Instead of buying new decorative pieces or furniture for your home, consider looking at second-hand items from places like:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Garage sales
- Thrift stores
- Estate sales
Browsing these places can help keep something from being thrown into a landfill. That’s extremely important when it comes to things like furniture. According to the EPA, in 2017 80.2% of furniture waste ended up in landfills. It’s something most people don’t think about, but it makes a huge impact on the environment.
You never know what you mind find when you buy gently used items. Not only will your purchases be unique, but you could end up finding a vintage treasure or something that reflects your personality perfectly. So, don’t be afraid to be a second-hand treasure hunter while you redecorate!
Upcycle What You Have
If you don’t have the budget to buy new furniture or even used items, consider breathing new life into your existing items by upcycling them.
You can change just about anything in your home to fit your new sense of style if you’re willing to use your creativity and imagination. Upcycling is fun, resourceful, and allows you to create one-of-a-kind decor items no one else will have.
Try turning an old bookshelf into a stylish hutch, or an armchair that’s seen better days into a sleek and stylish place to sit by reupholstering it. Paint old window shutters and use them to create a quirky cabinet, or make a gorgeous vanity with a few coats of paint and an old dresser.
The sky is truly the limit when it comes to upcycling and repurposing things you already have. From transforming your curtains into DIY decorative pillows to turning old egg cartons into flower vases, you’re only limited by your imagination. A coat of paint, a little bit of new fabric, and a willingness to think outside of the box can help you fill your home with “new” items made mostly out of things you already had on hand.
Bring Life Inside
If you really want to “go green” with your decorating efforts, consider bringing a few houseplants into your living space.
There are so many benefits to having a variety of plants in your home, including:
- Better air quality
- Reduced stress
- Boosted cognitive health
- Reduced fatigue
- Improved mood
Live plants can also provide you with a sense of purpose. They give you something to take care of, and it can be peaceful and relaxing to put your time, love, and dedication into watching it grow. There’s a reason many “plant parents” can never just stop at one! It’s a hobby that is very easy to get into and can be highly addictive – in the best way possible, of course.
If you’re not home a lot or you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of live plants, faux offerings can work to give you the same look and feel without all of the effort. However, it’s often well worth it to go with the real deal when you’re decorating your home with plants.
There are some common misconceptions and myths that living sustainably has to be expensive.
That isn’t true. Once more people realize that, they’ll be eager to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle, especially at home.
If you’ve been thinking about redecorating for a while, there’s no reason why you can’t do so while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle and a strict budget. Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to get creative with your efforts. However, they’re just the start! From recycling and donating to using eco-friendly paint and cleaning products, there are countless ways to upgrade your home inexpensively while doing something good for the environment.
About The Author:
|
|
Miles is an independent writer with a background in business and passion for tech, psychology, news, and simply helping people live happy and fulfilled lives. He has lived and traveled all over the United States and continues to expand his awareness and experiences. When he is not writing, he is most likely mountain biking or kicking back with a cup of tea. |
Leave a comment