Friday, February 11, 2011

Eco Home Decorating

Looking to freshen up your lifestyle with a new look for your living room? Redecorating the family or living room is sometimes one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your daily routine - and you can do it in an eco friendly way! Fresh colours, great second hand finds, here are some great eco home decorating ideas to show off your green leanings.


Minimise your lighting - Are there strategic places to arrange lounges and chairs to minimise light use? Get a few floor and table lamps to avoid needing to switch on all the lights in the room if you're only going to be using a small area.


Intimate conversations - For winter, consider making your social areas more "intimate" to reduce the need to heat an entire room. Move sitting areas away from windows to avoid draughts and remember there's still nothing like a cozy chat by the fireplace.


Second hand gems - Visit an op shop or second hand furniture shop for some great recycled gems.

An old vintage mirror will instantly create the illusion of space and depth to your room. Look for small pieces, to create a "lived-in" look throughout the room.

Colorize - If you're looking for a new colour scheme, use an earth friendly paint for your walls, they don't release toxic VOC's into the air which can be harmful when breathed in. Look for a wide range on our Paints & Finishes section of our green directory. Meanwhile, consider eco fabrics for your cushion and furniture cover.


Eco Home Tip # 54 - Eco creativity - be inspired by the pieces you already own and think of new ways to up-cycle "junk". Be crafty - decorative cans or Tupperware can be turned into lampshades while an old boot can be fashioned into a unique flower vase! Embrace your eco creativity around your home.