COME BACK TO AN ECO-FRIENDLY ABODE
From jute rugs to origami lamp shades, the beauty of sustainable home décor accents and furnishings will refresh you and your home
As environmental crises are surging, it’s no more a cocktail conversation. We need to take a few steps starting from our home, such as ditching plastic bottles and using glass instead, banning single-use plastic and so on… There is a lot we can do to pass it the ecofriendly litmus test. And experts tell us how.
Table top: You can move from plastic bottles to copper or terracotta, as they are BPA-free aka Bisphenol Afree and do not release toxins. Replace plastic chopping boards with wooden ones. For storing food, you can get terracotta or ceramic bowls. Bamboo and wooden spoons are readily available. One can use banana leaves, earthen or terracotta plates to do up a table. A roll of brown gift-wrapping paper or jute table mats can be used as a runner.
WALL AND FLOORING
Go for organic wall paint, besides airpurifying plants, as they set the tone for a clean and green living atmosphere. Opt for walls with a renewable wood finish, they mainly comprise bamboo. Opt for wood or stone flooring instead of vinyl. Linoleum is the best pick for sustainable flooring because it is made of natural materials, which makes it biodegradable.
HOME DÉCOR ACCENTS AND FURNISHINGS
Use jute and wool rugs, lamp shades, origami chandeliers or indoor plants when revamping a space. Start with the things that are easy to change like curtains, cushions and upholstery then move on to changing the wall colour and texture. Plants, artefacts and other accent pieces can be added later. Similarly, fabrics like cotton, jute, linen and silk can be introduced through towels, furnishings and carry bags. Handmade soaps and cosmetics can easily replace the high-end animal tested cosmetics that contain harsh chemicals. There are rugs and home linen made of recycled materials. Recycled PET is a universal hit – while recycling PET bottles fibres and yarns are extracted from these plastic bottles. Polyester is a man-made fibre, synthesised from petrochemical products by a process called polymerisation, yarns created from recycled polyester aim to be continuously recycled with no degradation of quality, allowing one to minimise wastage. FURNITURE
One can also use furniture made of bamboo or cane as it is quite durable and sustainable. Another alternative is wood such as teak or sheesham, both are known to be highly durable.