In the modern world, sustainability is no longer our niche concept but a motive power of our decisions, getting from clothes to the food we consume. Our dwellings are no exception. The concept of sustainable home decor is to make the space delightful and cozy without harming nature.
This does not imply style for sustainability. All in all, upcycling and repurposing common objects can result in distinctive and custom-made decoration that expresses one’s personal taste.
What Makes Sustainable Home Decor Special?
There are numerous compelling reasons to embrace sustainable home decor:There are numerous compelling reasons to embrace sustainable home decor:
Reduced Environmental Impact: Creation of new furniture and other decorations requires great resource consumption and usage of electricity. Re-using and decycling the already existing stuff also means less use of new materials, so the carbon footprint is smaller.
Unique and Personal Touches: Furniture produced in mass makes your home impersonal. Reclaimed objects regularly possess an interesting past and personality, imparting an individual character to your area.
Cost-Effective: Upcycling is budget-friendly! Rather than blowing your budget on new furniture, with a bit of luck you can uncover vintage pieces at flea markets and thrift shops; or you might have hidden treasures of your own lying around. A little ingenuity you can turn these finds into beautiful pieces for your home.
Supporting Local Artisans: A lot of gifted craftspeople focus on recycling vintage treasures and making original things out of salvaged materials. You’re helping the businesses to be more sustainable, thus, you support a more sustainable design ecosystem.
Upcycling Magic: Using the analogy of Fire Hydrants with Functional Furniture
Upcycling in home decor is a field with a broad horizon. Here are a few inspiring ideas to get your creative juices flowing:Here are a few inspiring ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
Unconventional Furniture:
Fire Hydrant for Sale : These former street keepers can be turned into breathtaking talking points. Some other options could be a glass tabletop or a wooden surface to make it a unique coffee table or side table.
Phone Booth for Sale: Phone booths that are no longer needed can be refurbished into small reading cubicles. Place soft cushions, a reading lamp, and a few attractive pieces of wall art and there you have it – your own private sanctuary.
Lawn Jockey Upcycles: This makes these iconic yard decors versatile items that can be reused in different forms. Make them lamp stands, coat trees, or maybe even some fun plant holders.
Creative Storage Solutions:
Vintage Suitcases: The friendly travel companions would become a wonderful part of your home and give you fantastic storage space. Put them together as shelves for books or magazines, make side tables out of them, or hang them on the wall as creative display shelves.
Repurposed Ladders: Do not leave old ladders in the garage to gather dust! They can be converted into stylish towel holders, bookshelf dividers, or hanging planters.
Vintage Trunks: These strong logs are good coffee table or ottoman material. Throw in a plush cushion and a floral throw for a hint of warmth. They can be employed for extra storage.
Incorporating Architectural Salvage: Timeless Feature
Apart from common objects, think of integrating architectural salvage into your interior decor. Most of the time these elements are taken from old buildings or demolition sites and they give your space a little bit of history and some personality. Here are some ideas:
Cat Gargoyles: These architectural decorations will make your home a bit of gothic. Display them as bookends, mantel ornaments, or mount them on the wall as talking-pieces.
Stained Glass Panels: These lovely items can also be incorporated into doors, or windows or used as screens. Vibrant colors and intricate patterns give a touch of art to your area.
Reclaimed Wood: Reclaimed wood beams or planks can be employed to fulfill a number of functions such as making rustic shelves or constructing an original dining table. The nature-given defects and a long history of reclaimed wood give your home a cozy and individual look.
Finding and Repurposing Responsibly
Are you ready to start your sustainable home decor adventure? Here are some tips for finding and repurposing unique items responsibly:Here are some tips for finding and repurposing unique items responsibly
Explore Flea Markets and Thrift Stores: Hidden gems are found in these treasure troves that are teeming with such gems. Have patience, stay open, and you may end up with an ideal piece for upcycling.
Look for Online Marketplaces: Many online websites cater for selling vintage finds and reclaimed materials. You may look for particular items or go through the collections created to help you choose the best item for your project.
Demolition Sites: With permission, of course, demolition sites could be considered as an architectural salvage. Seek out originals such as old bricks, reclaimed wood, or even decorative tiles.Upcycle with Care: When reusing an object, make sure you do it in a responsible manner.