As the world celebrates World Environment Day this month, we have charted out ways to opt for sustainability in home decor with these simple and practical hacks.
The lockdown has already made many of us eco-warriors by giving us the time to introspect and be involved in sustainable activities. But this month we are going to up the ante on conserving nature and embracing sustainability to celebrate World Environment Day in this edition of June. We have charted out ways on how to opt for a sustainable lifestyle in home decor since homes are our newer world in the age of work from home routines. From selecting the kind of furniture to energy-efficient lighting and how to opt for sustainable waste management at home, here’s a beginner’s guide for eco-friendly home decor that you can just mug up and implement to give your home a green makeover! Moreover, eco-friendly home decor is also proven good for mental and physical wellbeing as it cuts down on pollution, chemicals and harmful practices around us. So get going with these hacks!
Start composting
Many might not be aware that composting is one of the single most important measures that can reduce household waste by over 60%. However, many beginner’s might feel certain apprehensions like wouldn't the house stink if waste is composted? Or that there is not enough space for a compost bin, but worry not. Eco Youtubers like Nayana Premnath are influencing people on their Instagram and Youtube about opting for this simple technique. So go ahead, choose a small space like your balcony for creating compost. All you need is to mix the kitchen waste like onion peels, banana peels, tea bags, eggshells, spoiled food etc into a pot that has brown materials like dead leaves, twigs, grass clippings etc. Shred the big pieces of food waste into smaller ones and tend the mixture with water. The brown materials will provide carbon while the green ones will ensure nitrogen supply. You’d see black gold emerging in 5-6 weeks in the form of compost that will provide nutrition to your indoor plants. A wonderful activity like composting will also reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, suppress pest and reduce carbon footprint!
We have often underestimated the power of reusing materials to reduce especially plastic waste. Plastics enter our homes in the form of polybags, toothbrushes, bottles, cans, stands, cutlery, bins, furniture and the list is so long! The best way to cut down on plastics is to use what we already have. Simple steps like taking your own carry bags while grocery shopping, opting for organic soaps and vanity essentials like toothbrushes, using reusable bottles and container, making your own pen stands with jute, bamboo or paper will help. When it comes to selecting furniture, one has to make an informed choice there as well. Opt durable and eco-friendly furniture made of bamboo, jute, tall grass, used tyre, rattan, stones lumber. Opt for long-lasting and timeless showpieces for your walls, coffee tables and vanity instead of those made of cheap plastics. Consciously choose the brands where you pick your furnishings from. Opt for organic brands that are linked with indigenous crafts and artists, so that way you’d be helping the eco-communities grow!
Many might not be aware that composting is one of the single most important measures that can reduce household waste by over 60%.
Lighting and sparkle
Lighting can single-handedly give an ethereal makeover to home. However, they also contribute to the carbon footprint of an individual. Hence opt for energy-efficient lighting that also looks aesthetically appealing like wood carved hand-painted maps or pendant lamps made of bamboo. For residential lighting opt for LED’s that reportedly takes 75% less energy and last for 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, which makes them a popular choice. Moreover, one also needs to develop energy-efficient habits like consuming more natural light than opting for artificial ones in the daytime and switching off lights consumption when the room is vacant.
Embrace second hand
Fast fashion is indeed killing the planet. That’s because the top-notch brands have to create their new collections in the Summer and Winter months which creates a lot of waste in terms of clothing. Now, thrift culture has become a one-stop solution to combat clothing waste. Thrift culture involved wearing second-hand clothes, that are repurposed for the new customer and thus one piece of cloth can circulate in the market for a longer period of time. While the fashion industry is becoming eco-conscious and coming with sustainable ways like using deadstock to create clothes, we too have to be in line in protecting the environment and embracing thrift culture. One can also opt for second-hand home furnishings like curtains, bed sheets, mats, rugs and many more from thrift stores to reduce carbon footprint on the planet. So get going with these home decor ideas and sustainable habits to embrace natural living!
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