The festive season often sees millions of families decorating their homes with bright lights and festive decorations, but it is also one of the most wasteful seasons of the year. Each person in the U.S. generates about 36 more pounds of waste in December than in other months of the year, and purchases such as plastic trees, ornaments, and wrapping paper are typically to blame. Still, there is also plenty to be positive about. Around 87% of respondents to a national survey by the Center for Biological Diversity said they wish the holidays were less materialistic, up from 78% around a decade ago. If you wish to fill your home with joy, but you don’t want to buy things you’ll end up throwing away or storing and never using again, put sustainability at the forefront of your decor choices.
Choosing Natural, Biodegradable Decorations
Imagine if you didn’t have to worry about plastic decorative items that make their way to landfills. You can turn your home into a beautiful natural haven this season by choosing decorations made from natural materials such as dried oranges, pine cones, fresh greenery, cinnamon sticks, and branches. All these items are compostable and reusable, helping you achieve your personal sustainability goals. If you are buying greenery for the season, choose locally sourced plants to reduce transport emissions. Finally, when styling your spaces, consider creating 100% handmade garlands and wreaths from natural materials and use these items not only on walls and shelves but also for stunning table arrangements for special family meals.
Embracing the Idea of Sustainable Micro-Swaps
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars or completely change your idea of festive design to lower your carbon footprint. Start by engaging in low-waste swaps that add a festive touch to your home. For instance, instead of purchasing artificial home fragrance, consider using a diffuser to fill your home with the smell of essential oils like pine, cinnamon, and orange. Instead of using paraffin candles—which are known to hamper indoor air quality—make the switch to beeswax candles sold or made in recycled glass vases. If you love displaying family photographs, choose picture frames made from sustainable wood, such as oak, and opt for FSC-certified options. Investing in quality products that adhere to the “design for life” concept means that you don’t need to keep purchasing and throwing away decorative materials.
Opting for Eco-Friendly Lighting
Lighting is one of the most popular components of festive interior design, and if you love the look of fairy lights or holiday tree lights, use LED lighting and energy-efficient bulbs to reduce your energy consumption. For your garden, consider swapping to solar-powered lighting. For a super cozy atmosphere, opt for warm, golden lights instead of bright white ones, and incorporate mirrors or reflective elements to maximize the glow in your interiors with fewer lights.
The holidays are known for generating considerable waste, but that doesn’t have to be the case for your family. This season, aim to put the environment at the forefront by creating your own natural, biodegradable decorations. Consider making small swaps that can make your home cozier and more inviting without increasing your greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, save energy as much as you can by using LED and solar lighting to create a warm glow without raising your electricity bill.
