We spend a lot of time here talking about the nitty gritty of green home renovations, such as the benefits of low flow toilets, photovoltaic panels or types of insulation. Let's shift gears for a moment and consider the softer side of renovating-decorating! Like any building materials, the production of decorative items can be rough on the environment. And if you want your remodel to be truly green, you'll take just as much care when you add the finishing touches.
Green Furniture
Look for furniture featuring organic fabrics and constructed of FSC wood or bamboo. If you opt for furniture that contains plastics, ideally it should contain recycled plastic or other reclaimed materials. Avoid furniture that contains high amounts of adhesives, such as those made from particle board. Purchase from local stores rather than ordering your furniture from long distances, which requires burning large amounts of fossil fuels for shipment. And most importantly, purchase furniture that is durable and will last you for many years. It's tempting to visit discount big box stores and buy the cheapest model available, but these inexpensive pieces of furniture often don't survive moves or their trendy designs go out of style before they've served their use.
Paint it Green
A coat of paint can completely transform a room. However, a freshly painted room smells like a vat of chemicals. Be sure you use low or no VOC paint or paint made from organic materials. Many big paint manufacturers such as Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore produce eco-friendly paint lines that are available at your local home improvement store for just a little more than you'd spend on traditional paints. But since they don't contain all the bad-for-you chemicals, these paints won't leave you gasping for fresh air.
Recycle It
Instead of buying all new home decor following your remodel, why not recycle? Take stock of the furniture that you already own. Chances are, a few pieces could be reinvented with new upholstery or a fresh coat of paint (low VOC, of course). Try mixing in a few vintage pieces of furniture with your newer, more modern furniture. Shop antique stores or hit up Craigslist for local, affordable, gently-used finds. Not only are you saving money, you're also conserving natural resources and lightening the load on our landfills.