Author – Sujain Thomas
There was a time, long before any environmental activist thought that people needed to be eco-friendly. A time when being ecologically sound wasn’t the subject of numerous social media campaigns, and carbon credits weren’t the in-thing. A time when, humans were definitely more in tune with nature and there was a sense of overall balance.
In the words of Tonto (Johnny Depp in the Lone Ranger), “Nature is out of balance” today and as such we feel the effects on our daily lives. Starting from our homes, whether it is a flat in a busy city area or a peaceful suburban area, eco-friendly interiors are the need of the hour. However the question is, how does one create an environmentally-friendly interior in today’s chaotic world? Here are a few tips to do just that –
1. Use indoor plants for interior design
You heard that right. Bring a slice of the outdoors inside. Along with being just gorgeous to look at, plants are excellent air filters and give a vibrant feel to any and every space. A plant in almost any room is a terrific idea and several species of plants including cactus, money plant, spider plant, Syngonium others do not require much maintenance. If your apartment has an external grille area, you could use that space as a flower bed and cultivate flowering plants such as lilies, roses and/or orchids.
2. Maximize daylight
Any indoor space looks healthy and inviting when it is bathed with sunlight. In your quest for creating an eco friendly space, do forget to let the sunlight in. Use lighter or thin fabrics for your curtains and if you’re using blinds, ensure that you draw them up early morning in order to maximize the utilization of the sun’s potent light. Avoid using any artificial light during the day since it takes away from the space and adds to your electric bills.
3. Up-cycle wherever possible
Up-cycling means reusing old containers, milk bottles, ceramic plates and other items in decor. For instance, reuse your old milk bottles as flower pots. Old coat hangers can be up-cycled as door hooks, and old ceramic plates can be broken and their pieces reused as mosaic frames for mirrors. This is a technique that many people are using with stunning results all over the world. Simply search for DIY projects from all over the world for inspiration and get started on your own masterpieces.
4. Use wallpaper instead of paint
For home decoration we must choose the right fabric, non-toxic paints and many other articles that are eco-friendly and encourage the use of recycled materials. While most paint companies today advertise low VOC or Volatile Organic Compound paints, using wallpapers is a much smarter and cost effective way to cover or beautify your walls. It is also an extremely green idea especially if you use up-cycled wall paper, which is extremely popular these days. Eco-friendly wallpapers are easy to maintain and safe for children too.
5. Reuse, reduce, recycle
Reuse everything you possibly use, which helps us to reduce our consumption of new materials. Reduce is the first and the most important strategy. In order to reduce the amount of waste you produce, it is necessary to focus on the source. Reducing the amount of artefacts on display can give the home a modern, minimalistic feel. Recycling helps you to reuse the materials in unwanted items to make new items. DIY projects that use recycled materials are an excellent money saver and an eco-friendly option. It is also a great way to get your kids involved in the decor of your home, while teaching them to be eco-friendly. Beyond the environmental benefits of recycling, recycling also benefits the larger economy.
Home interiors ought to reflect the tastes, preferences and ideals of the family that inhabits the space. If each and every home becomes eco-friendly, it creates a positive vibe in the society which can transform the entire city.
Author’s Bio:
Sujain Thomas is a prolific writer at thewadhwagroup.com, who writes articles on home decoration, interior design, home decor, home loans, property, etc. He particularly focuses on eco-friendly interior design for improving the indoor air quality as well as reducing the impact of furniture on the environment.
