From Guest Blogger Emma Joyce: How to Add More Style to Your Green Home

We’ve been listening about Greenery and Pantone all year long and we’re still not done with this amazing color. On the contrary, this color is here to stay and for this we can thank the new sustainable trend which has been on all magazine covers this year. Eco-friendly lifestyle is becoming more and more popular with every celebrity that embraces this way of living and starts promoting it. Although this sounds like just another expensive craze, it’s really not that difficult to turn it into reality and become more aware of the environmental issues.

The overall layout

The new minimalist design goes hand in hand with the green design because it encourages simplicity. The goal is to have only the items you really need and try to be as creative as you can with just a few decorations. Try to open up your living space and create a natural flow that will lift up your spirits. Installing sliding doors between your room and balcony will connect your indoor with your outdoor area, which will make the room seem much bigger. This way, even the smallest of homes will seem cozier and you’ll effectively turn your home into something more sophisticated.

A touch of style

A simple green plant in an interesting pot can change the look of your nightstand. This will also improve the air quality which will have numerous benefits on your health. If you want to channel your inner bohemian, find an interesting sofa and cover it with some aesthetically pleasing fabrics to show off your creative side. If you want to go even further than that, add an interesting tapestry on your wall and everyone will be amazed by your interior design abilities. Choose an interesting pattern and implement it into the rest of the color scheme in your living room, but be sure not to overcrowd the space with too many colors. Instead, keep it natural and relaxing.

Reuse and restore

Go through your attic and ask your friends and family to do the same, and you’ll definitely find something you can restore and reuse. Everything from coffee tables, old mirror frames, vintage chairs and various decorative items can be repurposed with a touch of paint and creativity. Thanks to the popularity of fluffy rugs, many artists have come up with a more eco-friendly alternative by turning their old clothes into a trendy piece. You can use a single-colored item or, for a more intriguing look, choose your most colorful piece. There’s no need to spend money and pile up items if you can repurpose something you already own. Browse the Internet for some DIY projects for additional inspiration.

Add coziness

Don’t forget that you’re decorating your own home so try to stay away from the polished look you see in the magazines – instead, incorporate a couple of warm elements into your interior. When it comes to your living room, try adding fluffy cushions, warm blankets and interesting rugs made of natural materials. Use bamboo shutters instead of big curtains and you’ll open up the space and let the daylight into your home. The same goes for your bedroom – some new beddings and decorative pieces of furniture can make your room feel more calm and peaceful. For instance, if you are an avid reader, create a little reading nook and add a chair you’ve bought on a flea market, an old rustic table and some jute rugs.

Some other ideas

Find a new purpose for the items you already have and you’ll be amazed with the final results. For example, convert your old ladders into an unusual bookcase or a plant holder. You can repaint them or even use sandpaper to create rough edges, and then just add a dash of white color to create a vintage piece. Another eco-friendly item that definitely breathes luxury is a fireplace – if you add a brick wall around it, the whole room will look totally different in a matter of seconds. Instead of some fancy lighting, opt for LED lights that are becoming so increasingly popular that you can see them almost everywhere.