Furnishing your home is a personal thing. When being eco-friendly holds importance for you because it reflects your values, then this should shine through with your furnishing choices too.
Focus on the Materials as a Starting Point
When you’re trying to figure out how to furnish in an eco-friendly manner, use the material selection as a starting point. It can help to quickly rule out ideas that don’t fit an environmentally friendly ethos.
So, look for natural fibers. This might be marked as organic, but they could simply be eco-friendly ones. Bamboo is an obvious choice.
Avoid synthetic fibers because you cannot be sure what’s in them and how good they are for the environment. With objects, look for those made from wood instead of metal. Certainly, furnishings made from reclaimed wood are an even better option but usually, your furnishings won’t match perfectly.
Aim for choices that are friendly to animals, so stay away from the leather. Also, avoid plastic and its many derivatives too.
Don’t Neglect the Bedroom
Eco-friendliness can extend to the bedroom, from bamboo bedding to organic mattresses. Look for products that come with environmentally friendly credentials, make sure they are right for your posture.
Many people suffer from back or neck problems. When making furnishing choices, we’d suggest being mindful of the support that’s necessary for your spine.
In the case of your bed, ensure it relieves pressure on the back. If it doesn’t and you regularly wake up with a stiff back, then it’s time to change to a zero-gravity model. This in combination with organic bedding and a non-toxic mattress should do the job perfectly.
Spread the Cost
To get eco-friendly materials, ethical production and high-quality, it sometimes costs a little more. This is because even though these methods are gaining in popularity, they don’t enjoy the mass production of inferior, non-eco-friendly furnishings.
We’d suggest spreading out the cost of furnishing your home – especially if you’re refurbishing it and haven’t just moved in – because then you can make the right selections and go room-by-room. By not rushing, there are no compromises needed on the quality of materials and manufacturing methods, which feels good.
Stay Clear of Toxins
Avoiding the potential for toxins is something to be aware of when painting a wall or plant life.
Paint
When you’re thinking of painting a wall or two, check whether the paint contains any volatile organic compounds.
Sometimes, they’re referred to as VOCs and can be damaging to the environment even when used solely for interior walls.
Plants
Surprisingly, not all plants are free of toxins.
Some species make ideal potted plants like the Christmas Cactus, the Friendship Plant, or the Chocolate Soldier, to name a few.
Here’s a list of a few more plants that are non-toxic and suitable for the indoors.
The Little Extras
If you find pleasure in using candles but aren’t sure which ones to use around the bath when soaking off the day’s stress, then make the switch to soy candles.
They’re attractive as decoration but also eco-friendly and don’t contain any of the toxins that some other candles sometimes include without your realizing it. They also have a longer shelf life too.
Take your time when furnishing your home. By being careful and selective; it’s possible to make the right choices.