This blog post was guest written by Jhánneu Roberts, a Los Angeles based sustainability blogger, influencer, and Founder of Low Waste Beauty — a low waste beauty blog that is focused on making sustainable beauty more inclusive. Her goal is to make sustainable living accessible
Like many of us stuck at home, you might be trying to find ways to redesign your home. Buying new items can be harmful to the planet, but there are sustainable options to choose from. Here are 4 sustainable home design tips to try this fall.
Tip 1: Find Sustainable Furniture Pieces
One of the best things you can do when buying furniture is to purchase from brands that reclaim and upcycle furniture.
Avocado creates mattresses, pillows, and bedding made from certified organic, natural and non-toxic materials. They are a Certified B-Corp and their factories are powered by renewable energy. Not only do they make environmentally-conscious mattresses and bedding, but they also have bed frames, dressers, and end tables that are made from 100% reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is essentially up-cycled wood from places like old barns and warehouses. Keeping materials out of the waste stream is one of the best things we can do to help save the planet.
Like Avocado, Etsy also offers reclaimed furniture. Known for unique handmade items, Etsy works with sellers that reclaim and upcycle furniture. They are also a Certified B Corp and is the first major online shopping destination to offset 100% of carbon emissions from shipping. This means that for any carbon emissions released into the atmosphere as a result of shipping items on Etsy, they invest in projects that reduce carbon emissions by the same amount. Not only are you making a positive impact on the environment, but you are supporting small businesses.
Avocado and Etsy are great options, but so are secondhand shops! Heading to your local thrift store can save you money and cut done on the environmental impact of shipping.
Tip 2: Give your home an easy facelift with non-toxic paint
Clare Paint has a range of beautiful colors that are zero VOC which means they’re formulated without the toxic carbon-based solvents found in other paints. Claire Paint also has a GREENGUARD Gold certification, which means their paint formulas undergo rigorous testing for more than 360 VOCs and hazardous chemicals. Paint containers, trays and liners are made from recycled materials. They pride themselves on their energy-efficient factory that also treats and recycles water for reuse. A helpful tip when shopping for a paint color is to choose colors that reflect more light. Darker colors require more artificial lighting in your home, increasing the need to use energy.
Tip 3: Cut down your heat bill
As the weather is getting colder, we start turning up the heat. Reducing heating is good for your wallet and the environment. Incorporating in a rug into your home makes a difference. Rugs and carpets are great thermal insulators while retaining up to 10% of a room’s heat. For rugs, opt for sustainable materials such as organic cotton or wool.
Tip 4 : Storage
I love to up-cycle old jars and use them to store things like laundry pods or food. When organizing your home, you don’t have to always go out and buy something new, oftentimes you have items already in your home that you can use.
Creating a more sustainable home is truly about being intentional about the items you are bringing into your home and looking for ways to use what you already have.