Decorating your home with eco-friendly materials isn’t just good for the environment. It can also be benefiicial for you. Beyond maintaining a robust and resource-rich earth for generations to come, the right materials can also protect your indoor air quality (IAQ). After all, many man-made materials come with substantial carbon footprints and off-gas harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for years after installation. Whether you’re furnishing a bare apartment or decluttering and revamping your home to create a whole new look, the following are five eco-friendly materials to choose from. 

1. RECLAIMED WOOD

Reclaimed wood is wood that’s been salvaged from older structures and furnishings. Using reclaimed wood is a great way to create a shabby chic look without contributing to deforestation.Real wood has a timeless appeal and a level of adaptability that makes great for nearly every environment and design plan. Wood is naturally insulating, easy to maintain, and it offers stability and durability that particle board does not. Best of all, unlike particle board and other wood composites, real wood doesn’t off-gas harmful VOCs. 

You can use reclaimed wood for:

• Wall panels
• Built-in or freestanding bookshelves
• Tables
• Counters

If you have a good supplier and can source enough to get the job done, reclaimed wood also works well for floors.

 2. RECYCLED METAL

Using recycled metal for curtain rods, shower rods, chair legs, and other decorative elements and building features will keep important natural resources out of local landfills. Best of all, it doesn’t actually need to be recycled. If you know where to look, you can find ornate metal grates, poles, posts, and racks that you can easily repurpose. Visit local yard sales, rummage sales, and thrift stores. You can even submit requests for scrap metal pieces via online message boards, classified ads, and social media sites.

3. RECYCLED GLASS

Recycled glass is post-consumer glass that’s been melted down and reimagined. Eco-conscious homeowners are using it for everything from wall tiles to flooring. It’s also great for topping coffee, dining, and end tables. If you find the right recycled glass supplier, you may even be able to submit a custom order. 

4. BAMBOO

Bamboo is self-generating and fast-growing. It’s available in abundance and it’s both strong and lightweight. Due to its airy but durable composition, it isn’t carbon-heavy when it comes to shipping. Suppliers can transport this material halfway around the world without giving it a massive carbon footprint. Handily ranking among the most eco-friendly design materials currently available, bamboo makes excellent furnishings, lighting fixtures, and decorative accessories. There are also many hypoallergenic mattresses that are largely made from bamboo.

5. ORGANIC COTTON

Organic cotton makes for strong, long-lasting textiles. Grown without pesticides or herbicides, it’s good for the environment and good for you. You can fill your bathrooms with thick, fluffly towels and floor mats, and drift off  to sleep while swaddled in cozy, high thread-count sheets guilt-free. 

There are many ways to reduce the environmental impact of your next decorating project. POSH Organizing can help you clear out your spaces of excess items and help identify items that may be great to repurpose. For help getting started, contact us today!