If your New Year’s resolution is to redecorate a room, or
your entire home keep in mind that the décor you use can be eco-friendly as
well as budget friendly. The thing to keep in mind is to reduce, reuse and
recycle what you plan to use. Think second hand and open up your mind to new
unique ideas like the ones below.
Frame It
Look around your home. Is there something that can be
decoratively framed or uniquely displayed in your home? Framed family photographs,
last year’s calendar pictures, decorative doilies, pressed flowers, fabric
pieces, wallpaper scraps, magazine pictures or homemade artwork from your
children or yourself can look wonderful framed and hung on a wall. Picture
frames don’t have to be purchased new or be expensive. If you can’t find any
extra ones around your home shop at a Goodwill or Salvation Army for some
gently used frames. They are a fraction of the price and if needed they can be
touched up to look new again.
Already Framed
There are plenty of posters, paintings, drawings, and
photographs at local resale shops already framed and ready to be hung. Second
hand artwork is usually half the price and is often in great condition. Another
inexpensive option for finding framed artwork is through friends, neighbors,
family and the freecycle community. Freecyclers are often giving away artwork
they are tired of seeing in their home.
Make a Frame
Anything can be made into a frame if you think about it.
Last year I had an old fan taken down from my garage. The motor was broken and
it would cost more to repair it then to replace it so we took it down and I had
the beautiful blades taken off to turn into a frame. What can you turn into a
frame?
Decorative Pieces
Décor consists of more than just hung artworks. Décor can be
anything in a room that helps it achieve the look you are looking for. When
looking for décor consider these items: gently used clocks, mirrors, decorative
shelves, wall vases, decorative candles holders, ceiling tiles, lamps, lamp
shades, vintage clothing, room dividers, glass jars, old curtains, baskets, and
so on. Search for these items in your own home or shop for them and then
renovate them so that they achieve the look you are looking for.
Potted Plants
In addition to décor options above, bring in a few potted
plants and hang them securely from the ceiling, place them in corners, on end
tables and on shelves. Plants have vibrant, fresh and natural colors to them
that go well in any room. In addition to their beauty potted plants help clean
the air you breathe. Save money by transplanting pieces of a few plants into
new pots. Also join a plant exchange group in your local area to exchange
seeds, clippings and other gardening items with your local community.
So you see, finding gently used items to decorate your home
is not difficult and it doesn’t have to be expensive either, but it does take a
little bit of imagination and an open mind to new ideas.
