Your Green Living Room: Redecorating for the Modern Era

Keeping your home in sync with environmentally-sound initiatives isn’t always an easy undertaking. Sometimes you have to spend a little more to get organic produce or take the extra time to sort recyclables. But you do what you can to make the planet greener for future generations because that’s what a responsible adult does. And you’ve likely attempted to incorporate this attitude into every aspect of your life. So why should redecorating your home be any different? When you decide to overhaul your living room, there are certainly steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and create a space that is beautiful, functional, and guilt-free where the environment is concerned. Here are just a few ways that you can green up your project and get the upgraded living room you’ve been dreaming of.

1. Furnishings. The first thing to come out and the last thing to go in is often the furniture. But before you toss it in the trash, think about the potential your old items may hold in your newly redecorated space. Your couch, for example, might be perfectly comfortable and worthy of keeping if only it weren’t so ugly (or mismatched to the rest of your furnishings). So instead of throwing it out, give it a second life through reupholstering (or even a slipcover). The same goes for tables, which can be updated with a new coat of paint or varnish.

2. Flooring. The name of the game when it comes to hardwoods is “reclaimed”. Many flooring retailers offer planks that are in perfectly good condition despite the fact that they’ve already done duty in another home. Often the previous owners are remodeling themselves (or the house has been torn down). Whatever the case, you can profit from this type of wood. It’s not only less expensive than new, it also means that no additional trees need be harvested in order to give you the luxurious flooring you desire. That’s a win-win for you and the environment.

3. Lighting. You may have switched to energy-efficient bulbs throughout the house (CFLs or LEDs), but the height of conservation comes in the form of natural lighting (as in, from the sun). So when you remodel, think about replacing the two small windows in your living room with one large one that better lights your space. You might even choose to knock out a wall or two for an open floor plan that lets the sunshine in all day. And of course, skylights are the ultimate in a well-lit room.

4. Electronics. LCD flatscreens may provide a gorgeous picture, but you can get the same quality with a lot less energy usage if you opt for a newer LED (light emitting diode) model. It uses only a fraction of the power needed for other televisions, meaning that you’re going to draw less from the grid and save a lot on your utility bill.

5. Accessories. When it comes to lamps, photo frames, candle holders, and other embellishments that make your space feel homey, you can’t go wrong with the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mentality. Shop thrifty to find a few unique pieces to add to the ensemble or simply take items you already own and give them a makeover. This way you can get a new feel without supporting new manufacturing.

Sarah Danielson writes for Sofas and Sectionals where you can find an assortment of high end furniture by brands like Palliser and Berkline.