Environmentally aware apartment dwellers don't need to sacrifice style and functionality over sustainability. Listed below are five ways to beautifully decorate and furnish a rented apartment without doing harm to the environment.
1. Shop vintage. As many environmentalists say, the greenest item you can buy is one that already exists. Thrift stores, garage sales, and flea markets are great sources of vintage furniture. An old wooden chest can serve as storage, coffee table, and even as a focal point of a room once it’s cleaned, sanded, and stained. Buying secondhand furniture can bring you great savings and can last just as long or even longer with proper care.
 |
| Image Source: houzz.com |
2. Purchase furniture made of sustainable materials. Furniture pieces made of reclaimed lumber come in all styles, from rustic to modern with sleek lines, so it's not difficult to incorporate them into an apartment's existing design scheme. Bed frames made from sustainable hardwood are sturdy and durable, and can guarantee a good night's sleep for a green activist who's concerned about the state of tropical hardwoods.
3. Maximize natural light. Save energy and reduce your carbon footprint by turning the lights on only at night and only when needed. Blinds let light in better during daytime than heavy curtains or drapes, and the direction of light can be controlled by adjusting the angle of the blinds. To increase natural light in an apartment with few windows, use mirrors to reflect light from the windows to illuminate the entire room.
 |
| Image Source: dornob.com |
4. Use non-toxic paint. Many paint companies now offer eco-friendly paint with no harmful solvents, chemicals, or dyes. In addition, painting rooms in light colors can help make them look brighter and larger.
5. Decorate with house plants. Plants do double duty: as decoration and as a natural air purifying system. Plants grouped together can add visual interest to a plain-looking corner, and flowering plants can add light and color to a dim area. More importantly, plants can remove almost 90 percent of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.
 |
| Image Source: thebull.cbslocal.com |
Madera Apartments in San Antonio, TX offers its residents eco-friendly services and amenities. For more articles on apartment living, visit this blog.
