People globally have realised the crucial need for us to pay more attention to the health of our planet. By implementing sustainable methods when designing and decorating your home you can reduce your carbon footprint and enrich the air you breathe. The design experts at Boulevard Décor share their top tips for an eco-friendly home.
Use eco-friendly paint
Eco-friendly paints come in two forms – low-VOC paints and others that have no VOCs. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. This can cause acute symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. Paint with no VOCs are made using natural products. Their colours originate from clays or plant-based materials. This concept is the oldest known to man and was used thousands of years before the invention of chemical-based paint.
Choose natural textiles and furniture
Natural textiles like wool or cotton are better for rugs and carpets than those filled with VOCs. Your wall finishing could rather be cork, ceramic or wood. Although this might be less cost-efficient, in the long run it’s better for you and the environment. For furniture, woods such as walnut, oak or maple generally last longer and tend to be more durable. Antique items are considered one of the most “green” options.
Decorate with plants
Not only are indoor plants one of the easiest decorating elements and ways to create a positive energy in your home, they also help to filter the air we breathe. To improve the overall air quality, you could use plants such as bamboo palm, gerbera daisies or peace lilies.
Don’t forget about natural light
Natural light is a health booster, cost saver, mood enhancer and is friendly to our environment. Always keep in mind how you position your décor such as blinds or drapes in a way that allows coverage and control of the temperature.
Use energy-efficient lightbulbs
Since all the changes made by the green lighting industry over the years, available options can be overwhelming. If every household replaced their light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), it could prevent pollution equal to removing about a million cars from the road. Another option is LEDs (light-emitting diodes). LEDs don’t heat up as incandescents do. They also last longer and are more energy-efficient.
Install solar panels
Solar panels generate eight to 12 times the energy in their lifetime than was needed to mine the raw materials, manufacture and install them. Additionally, solar panel manufacturing releases fewer heavy metals than burning coal. Solar panels generate no greenhouse gases. With solar cells, there is no damage caused to the environment.
Consider insulation
Today you can find many eco-friendly insulation options made from sheep’s wool, cotton and Aerogel, to name a few. Every insulating product has the same goal: to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This helps you save money on your energy bills and reduce the emissions associated with heating and cooling your home.
Use natural cleaning products
Eco-friendly cleaning products clean your home without the unpleasant chemical residue. Eco-friendly cleaning products are made using sustainable manufacturing practices and naturally derived, safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients that don’t negatively impact the environment and your family’s health.
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