12 eco-friendly & sustainable decorating tips for a green home makeover

By now we all know that environmentally conscious decisions aren’t just niceties but necessities. This covers everything from what we put in our bodies to what we put in our homes. And that means shifting towards eco-friendly decorating practices.

Where to start

Navigating which brands are good for people and the planet can be tricky and, let’s be honest, a minefield. Especially when confusing product labels and murky advertising campaigns leave you scratching your head. After all, greenwashers gonna greenwash.

As champions of climate-positive decoration, we want to clear things up. That’s why we’ve put together this whistle-stop tour of sustainable decoration tips so you can create a greener and more beautiful home, however busy you are.

What is eco-friendly decorating? 3 key principles

We’re seeing the twilight of toxic practices in the painting and decorating community. Nowadays, there’s a much greater focus on products and processes that leave a smaller impact on the environment. This commands a new mindset that prioritises good and ethical decision-making, which involves three core principles:

Carbon footprint

The UK coatings (AKA paint and wallcoverings) industry is committed to net zero by 2050. The only way to achieve this is to cut down on carbon emissions. As a consumer you can help push this forward with collective action, and your wallet. Choosing materials with smaller carbon footprints is a great way to do that! We’re thinking of locally sourced products, renewable and non-toxic materials.

Material waste

As a society, we’re so used to planned obsolescence, replacing things that are still up to scratch and redecorating more and more frequently. But by making good design choices the first time round we can reduce waste while saving our hard-earned cash.

The other side of the coin is ensuring we don’t buy too much or the wrong things. Wave away plastic-wrapped products and feel so much better for it. We promise it’s worth it!

Ethical production

Another important aspect of sustainable decoration is how ethical the products are. I mean, what’s the point of buying something more eco-friendly when it harms people and animals in the making?

To work out whether a brand is ethical you can ask questions about supply chain transparency, fair wages for workers and whether the decorating materials are vegan and cruelty-free. This way you can add a little more kindness into your life.

12 eco-friendly decorating ideas

1.      Embrace water-based paints

A foolproof way to breathe life back into stale décor is to give the room a fresh lick of paint. But is paint environmentally friendly? We’re here to tell you that, yes, it absolutely can be!

By picking eco-friendly paint brands you can avoid the headache-inducing smell of toxic VOC paints while knowing you’re doing the environment a good deed. Easily recyclable, durable and often vegan and cruelty-free, water-based paints have been specially formulated to stay vibrant and pristine for years after application.

2.      Opt for a natural flooring

If it’s within your budget, choosing natural flooring is a brilliant (and stylish) way to reduce your environmental impact. We’re not saying to rip up your carpet and vinyl tiles – nothing of the sort – but if your flooring needs replacing, considering a natural alternative will improve your health and cut down on emissions significantly.

This is because the bonding agents used in synthetic carpets and to glue down vinyl floors release a toxic cocktail of VOCs and microplastics directly into your home. If you’re on a quest for eco-wins looking into wool and recycled carpets or wooden flooring is a brilliant idea.

3.      Use eco-friendly paint and decorating tools

There’s more to sustainable decoration than the materials we use. We’ve also got to think about the tools we use. Swapping out plastic paint brushes, cans and tape with eco-friendly decorating tools is an easy fix that will set you on the way to plastic-free living.

4.      Repurpose, reuse, recycle

Upcycling is as environmentally friendly as it is trendy. It’s all about adding character, mending and finding a new lease of life in old items that would otherwise be thrown away.

Part of the joy of home design is finding unique objects that really speak to you, and what better way of doing this than by adding your stamp to furniture you find second-hand? By furnishing your home with antiques and rare curiosities, you can ensure no one will have an interior quite like yours.

5.      Purify with light colours

Not only are pale colour palettes wonderfully soothing to the eye, but they carry the added benefit of introducing more light into the room – perfect for dark rooms. A soothing and light-reflective backdrop is the perfect canvas for any interior, warding off the need to redecorate before necessary or to add too many light fixtures into the mix.

6.      Spotlight energy-efficient lighting

It doesn’t stop at painting your room the right colour. There are many eco-friendly and energy-saving gains to be made when it comes to lighting. Switch out blaring, energy-draining lights with dimmable bulbs and fixtures with long lifespans. In long term, you might save some money and you can create a gorgeously cosy ambience.

7.      Banish poor air quality

How you decorate your room can have a physical effect on your health and mental well-being. Just take air quality for instance: both oil-based paints and wood burners have been linked to poor lung and mental health. Incorporating healthier options such as water-based products, plants and easily opened windows can all make a room look and feel welcoming too.

8.      Try eco-wallpaper for size

It’s not just paint that’s feeling the impact of the eco-revolution but wallpaper too! Sustainable brands such as our favourites Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library both produce stunning wallpapers with no added cost to the environment, making unsustainably sourced paper a thing of the past.

9.      Recycle unused materials

It’s all done and dusted but you have half a litre of unused paint hanging around, what do you do? Here at splat, we say recycle it!

Disposing of leftover paint, or any other decorating material for that matter, doesn’t have to equal waste. There are many fantastic schemes like Community Repaint and Freecycle that will rehome your leftovers within your community – and your neighbours will be very happy for it!

10.  Go plastic free

There’s something so sophisticated about the plastic-free look. Picture open shelves and glass mason jars, real plants and wooden features, all beautiful complements to a country style interior. In the internet age, it’s ridiculously easy to find organic storage alternatives that will help create this rustic look and keep your home clutter free.

11.  Open the door to minimalism

They say less is more for a reason. Minimalism and healthier consumer behaviour come hand in hand. Instead of amassing unnecessary items to line your house, why not get picky and choose fewer items that really spark joy? This way you will only acquire objects that you truly love and create a zen paradise while you’re at it.

12.  Have a go at biophilic design

Another design craze that mixes well with sustainable decoration is the popular biophilic design trend. Put simply biophilic design is a way of organising interiors to maximise our connectivity to the natural world. Interspersing plants, organic textiles and natural materials into the home is a sure-fire way to keep things planet and people friendly.

Have fun making the switch

Making the eco-conscious choice doesn’t have to be boring. We hope that these eco-friendly decorating ideas are proof enough. Now all that’s left is for you to try them.