Let’s face it…taste changes over the years. Perhaps you’ve been looking around your house and thinking, “how did I ever like this décor?”. We all can get sucked into trendy looks that don’t stand the test of time. Or maybe you just enjoy a little change every now and then. There is no shame in that. However, constantly (or even occasionally) changing the décor in your home means buying new items and getting rid of old ones…and in the process creating waste that is not good for our environment. So, how do you switch it up in a way that is helpful to your efforts live in the most sustainable way possible?
Here are some tips for how you can update your home’s look while taking care of the planet at the same time:
- “Shop” Your Own House
Visit your attic, closets, and storage areas. You might be surprised by what you will find there. You may have decorative items that you packed away long ago and forgot about. Things that you didn’t know you missed. Maybe you have inherited or acquired some unique pieces that have been languishing in boxes since you last decorated. If you don’t find anything that appeals to you in your own home, consider doing a “swap meet” with friends. Host a gathering where everyone brings home décor items (or photos of larger things, like furniture) that they are ready to part with. I’m sure you’ve heard the adage about someone’s trash being someone else’s treasure. You and your friends may leave the gathering with a whole new look for your living space!
- Repurpose Keepsakes
Are you a collector of keepsakes? We’re talking ticket stubs (from back in the day when paper tickets were a thing), show programs, maps, posters, flags, banners etc. If so, now is a great time to create some new décor with them. What better way to remember special moments in your life is there than to display memorabilia in your home? Perhaps you plan on getting rid of some framed art or photos when you redecorate. Take the frames and use them to create collages of items from your travels and adventures.
- Shop at Consignment and Thrift Stores
It is shocking (in a good way) what you can find at second-hand stores sometimes! Not only can you save money by shopping this way, but, in a small way, you will be saving the environment as well. Purchasing formerly owned items and reusing them keeps them from ending up in landfills.
- Focus on Sustainable Materials
If you do buy new items, try to go for things made from sustainable materials. Per Rutgers University, “Sustainable materials are those used throughout our consumer and industrial economy that can be produced in required volumes without depleting non-renewable resources and without disrupting the established steady-state equilibrium of the environment and key natural resource systems.” Using sustainable materials does not mean you have to compromise on style and quality. Look for well-made, durable, earth-friendly materials like quartzite, which is a natural, sustainable alternative to quartz. Check out some eco-friendly home items HERE.
There are a lot of ways we can work to save our planet. Changing how we shop for and redecorate our homes is just one small way to be eco-friendly.
Are you thinking of buying a home or selling your current home in New River Valley, VA? Then it is time to contact Desi Sowers, your New River Valley, VA real estate resource! Give her a call today at 540-320-1328!
Photo credits: environmentblog.net, wilshirecollections.com, buzzfeed.com, insider.com