Your Living Room: Striving For Sustainability

Everyone has a different living room layout to make their house feel like a home. However, there are some staples in each that are worth revisiting. We can always strive for better, greener, and cleaner.

Before you dive into your sustainable feng shui, you can also check out our posts on a greener kitchen and cleaner bathroom.

On to the living room!

For many, the living room is a blend of aesthetics, personality, and comfort. Along the way, we can lose sight of staying true to the earth. From decor to consumables, there is always room for improvement.

Here are 8 ways to create a beautiful and natural common space for all. Pick a category, or scroll through them all!

CURTAINS + CARPETS

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1. Choose your curtain materials wisely (and naturally).

We use polyester today for its durability and affordability, but long-term sun exposure can release microscopic particles of polyester or other synthetics into the air (and our lungs).

Instead of polyester or other synthetic materials, look for cotton, silk, linen, or lace curtains. These may cost more, but they help create a safer day-to-day home environment. Plus, they are fully biodegradable, meaning you can rest easy when it’s time to dispose of them.

2. Cover your flooring carefully and creatively.

Similar to curtains, many carpets and rugs are made of synthetics like viscose, nylon, and polypropylene. As we tread on our floor coverings, we can release small plastic particles into the air and breathe them in.

 

As you can, consider replacing your synthetic carpeting with ones made of wool, cotton, or other natural fibers. These can be pricier, but your lungs will thank you. And when the time comes, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing they will decompose into safe, harmless compounds.

 

CREATURE COMFORTS

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3. No one wants to kick back and relax in not-so-friendly foam.

When it comes to finding a couch, comfort reigns supreme. Try to avoid poly foam or urethane cushioning as this is a form of plastic, neither biodegradable nor fully safe for our health.

We spend so much time relaxing on our couches. It makes sense to make responsible decisions. Look for 100% natural latex cushioning. Latex comes from trees and is a natural repellent to dust mites, other allergens, mold, and mildew. If you’re allergic to latex, you may be able to find cotton or wool batting.

4. Choose your cushions (pillows) in a conservation-minded way.

We spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, so why sleep on plastics? Synthetic materials, like polyester or polystyrene, may be cheaper, but they will never break down.

For a better night’s sleep, look for wool, cotton, linen, silk, cashmere, or other natural fabrics. Inside, consider feathers, which offer quite a luxurious experience. If it comes from plants (or animals), it’s always safe for the earth.

5. Stay cozy and covered with Mother Earth’s natural embrace.

Blankets are another household staple that are often made from synthetic materials, like woven acrylic or knitted polyester. These can be quite comfortable and affordable, but they’ll live in landfills forever.

As with pillows, materials like wool, cotton, linen, silk, and cashmere offer a more natural alternative. Bamboo is another material that has revolutionized the textiles industry. It offers a natural “cooling” effect, so you’ll never have to turn over your pillows, mid-sleep.

 

DECOR GALORE

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6. Frame your memories and art with the earth.

We want to preserve our memories with pleasant frames. Most stores carry an abundance of plastic options. These are cheap, easy to produce, and lightweight. They’re also a forever product.

 

The beautiful thing about natural wood is, you can paint it whatever color you like! Use latex- or water-based paint, and have some fun with it. Aluminum is another option that may be recycled after redecorating or moving on to another natural frame option.

7. Don’t pot your (real) plants in plastic.

First of all, buy real plants, not faux plastic ones. If you travel often, consider succulents or other drought-resistant species. Skip the plastic pots, and recycle them if they are unavoidable.

Upgrade your interior gardening to include terra cotta or clay pots. Reuse them throughout your lifetime, and give them a coat of paint if they start to show signs of aging. They are slightly porous, so they help plants absorb excess water, and if they break, they can be used at the bottom of future pots to further assist with storing excess water and protecting roots.

8. Shine a light on bees, soy, and essential oils.

Candles are ever popular, but too many are made of synthetic, even plastic (parrafin) wax. These options are less expensive, but you’ll release chemicals, like alkans, alkenes and toluene, into the air.

Nature offers a better way. Essential oils, coconut, beeswax, and soy-based candles are easy to find at any store. Natural wooden wicks offer a nice crackling ambience. Set the mood with renewable and biodegradable materials.

And at the end of their life, freeze candles upside down atop a cooking sheet. The wax will shrink and fall out, allowing you to make new DIY candles (or toss the bits).

🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 

Our hope is to inspire people to perform their own small-scale beach cleanups whenever they visit our beautiful oceans. Every bit helps, so we hope you join the community and share your stories.

Thanks, and we’ll see you on the next wave!

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