You have probably heard about low VOC paint. VOCs are volatile organic compounds found in the paint.
VOCs used to be essential to the paint’s performance. Household paints release low levels of toxic emissions into the air for years after application due to VOC content. Most household paint manufacturers, like Mythic Paint, Benjamin Moore’s Ecospec paint, and Duron’s Genesis Odor-Free, are now producing low VOC paint and zero VOC paint. Low VOC paint reduces exposure to toxins, reduces contaminants to landfills, groundwater and the ozone, they aren’t considered hazardous waste (making for easy disposal), and they have good durability and color quality.
Being green while decorating your home doesn’t have to stop at your paint selection. There are many other green approaches to decorating your home.
For example, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of purchasing all new furniture, accents, décor, and accessories when redecorating or refurbishing a room in hour home. As many television home decorating shows espouse, simply inventorying what you currently own – both in storage and as décor in other rooms of your home – will quite often reveal a wealth of decorating ideas at no cost. The throw pillows on the guest bed might serve as great accents for the living room couch. The hope chest at the end of the bed might make a great end table for the family room. By taking items you currently own and simply rearranging them, you are saving on the gas it would take to shop around and avoiding buying products with lots of unnecessary packaging.
Another way to redecorate with minimal packaging and minimal environmental impact is to go sort of shabby-chic. Peruse local vintage stores, flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores for the perfect accents and furniture for your home. Many furniture pieces can be easily refinished or painted at minimal cost. You get brand “new” furniture at very little cost and next to no environmental impact – provided you choose local sellers and refinish with low VOC paint and finishes.
Reclaimed or salvaged wood is another environmentally sound way to give your floors a facelift. The wood is often taken from old barns, buildings, and warehouses. Using reclaimed wood minimizes the material sent to landfills and decreases the effects of deforestation for materials for wood flooring. It also gives your home some historic flair with quality craftsmanship from decades past.
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