What comes to your mind when you hear ‘renewable decor’? No, we are not talking about bulky solar panels or vegan potpourri. We mean creating stunning homes without leaving behind a nasty carbon footprint. Confused? Read on to know more.

Bamboo

Wood definitely adds a warm rustic charm to your room, but it is not renewable. Every tree that is taken down takes 40 years to fully grow back. By that estimate, it would take centuries for an entire forest to be revived. It is for this reason that decor experts are turning to bamboo as an alternative material. A bamboo shoot grows upto 30 centimeters every night, and due to its versatile nature and warm aesthetic, it can be incorporated into your space in multiple ways.

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Bamboo flooring is extremely durable, especially if it is strand woven. A balanced blend of contemporary and rustic, the dark tone makes it ideal for hallways and balconies. You can add natural accents to your decor by incorporating bamboo in your railings, window frames, and shelves. They also work remarkably well in kitchens as they are great for cabinets, butcher blocks, and countertops.

Eco-Friendly Material : Glass

If you thought that the broken shards of your window glass that cracked last month will never make its way back home, we are here to prove you wrong! Glass is one of the only materials that can be infinitely recycled without losing, purity or strength. It is incredibly resistant to scratches, making it the ideal choice for surfaces that are used often like kitchen tops, tables, and tiles.

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The latest decor trend is bioglass, an alternative for floors, walls, and countertops, that uses upcycled bottles, plates or glassware. The dull hues of green, brown, white or blue glass can add an edgy look to your home. Concrete binds the shards of broken glass together, creating interesting patterns and textures. This also ensures that no glass piece, big or small, goes to waste.

Eco-Friendly Wood : Cork

When it comes to decor trends, cork is the new kid on the block. Known for its anti-microbial and eco-friendly properties, it is best suited for places around the house where moisture often causes havoc. It contains no PVC or formaldehyde binders and is harvested from living cork oak trees, without damaging it – making it incredibly renewable.

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While it may seem counter-intuitive to use a soft spongy material like cork for your flooring, it is actually made using recycled wine stoppers that are manufactured hard. If you’d like to go for an all grey theme, a cork wall or a backsplash in your kitchen will go a long way in balancing out the muted room. This material is durable enough to create bowls, bench seats or counter tops and other fittings around the house.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for some privacy in your house, you can line your walls or floors with cork. It is also sound absorbing!
To know more about how you can go green with your interiors, schedule a consultation with eco friendly interior designers in Chennai today!