Becoming Eco Chic – Incorporating Sustainable Decor
The 22nd of April marks World Earth Day, a day where events are held in support of protecting the environment. The official theme for 2024 is “Planet vs Plastics” but any act that generally supports sustainability and eco friendliness is welcomed during that day and any other.
Thanks to events like these, the general public is becoming increasingly aware of how consumer choices affect the environment. And many want to play their part by choosing sustainable options.
It’s becoming more and more of a necessity to choose sustainable options in everyday aspects of our lives. This includes how we decorate, furnish, and react to broken items in our homes – can a damaged item be saved? Doing so is much more sustainable, and sometimes cost effective, than replacing it entirely. Even better if you have a sentimental attachment to the object in question.
In this article, we’ll be offering tips on how to embrace sustainable materials while decorating and furnishing your home. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make sacrifices, just certain changes. It’ll be both better for the planet, and leave your living space with an ethical touch and a sense of uniqueness.
It’s time to go eco-chic…
Choose Upholstery and Use Organic Fabrics
Got a damaged sofa or armchair? Have some downtime and creative flair? Why not try some DIY upholstery?
Upholstery supplies you’ll need include:
Fabric: You’ll probably want something durable. You’ll also need to consider colour, pattern, texture, and the intended use of the furniture (or how often it gets used). For organic fabrics, opt for cotton, linen, and hemp.
Foam Padding: This comes in various densities and thicknesses, so choose depending on item and comfort. You’ll need some type of foam for cushioning and support in furniture seats and backs.
Tools: Such as an upholstery hammer, or a magnetic hammer that can easily remove or insert nails, etc. You can also use specialised pin or tack removers.
Needles, Nails, Pins and Tacks: There are various types of each of these. You can get straight or curved needles depending on what area of a piece of furniture you’re currently trying to work on. Curved needles may help you reach places easier. Needles are used in combination with thread to sew up and fix areas.
Upholstery nails can be both functional and decorative, with many different finishes, colours, and shapes available. These can really add an extra touch to the furniture you are working on.
Staple Gun: These are great for attaching fabric to the wooden frame. Depending on the thickness of materials, you may need a heavy-duty staple gun, rather than a lightweight one.
Scissors: Like most upholstery equipment, the type of tool you’ll need varies on what you’re working on. For thick heavy fabrics, you’ll need some big, thick, scissors in order to cut through material precisely and without frustration or tearing.
If you don’t fancy reupholstering yourself, you can always contact a professional upholstery service. Alternatively, if you decide to buy new or replacement items, look for furniture that uses organic fabrics, as opposed to mass made items that contain harmful chemicals and synthetic fibres. This organic furniture may also have the added benefit of lasting longer.
Using Recycled Materials
Since earth day began in the ‘70s, how about taking some inspiration from that and looking for older furniture to re-use and reupholster? There’s life in those old pieces yet!
You can also decorate using recycled materials. As well as furniture, you can add accessories, such as glassware made from recycled bottles. The possibilities are endless, there are many online stores such as Etsy, where budding sustainable creatives sell innovative decorations made from recycled items. Or you could create something yourself.
Choosing to purchase or make stuff like this helps divert waste from ending up in landfills. It can also leave your living space adorned with creative and unique accessories.
Embracing reclaimed wood is another sustainable option that’s worth looking into. Choose furniture that is made from this wood. This wood could come from old buildings, barns, and saves trees from being over harvested.
Whether a dining table or rustic bed frame, reclaimed wood has its own character and history, featuring charm in the form of unique texture and imperfections that cannot be found in brand new material.
Living Sustainably – Final Thoughts
There are many benefits to sustainable living and it can be easier than you think to incorporate sustainable materials and items.
So, consider saying no to brand new furniture that all looks the same and look for something with a bit of character and history. It’ll instantly liven up your room like no modern piece can.
Plus, you’ll have the added bonus of being eco-chic, which means you’re helping the planet and looking good while doing it.
