10 Ways to Transition Your Home to Eco-Friendly Décor
Posted by The Ichcha Team on 3rd Nov 2025
Here are 10 simple ways to make your home more eco-friendly.
Table of Contents
1. Choose Eco-Friendly Paints
The first step to making your home eco-friendly is to use low-VOC or VOC-free paints. Traditional paints release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which harm indoor air quality and contribute to outdoor air pollution. Therefore, low-VOC or VOC-free paints instantly make your home healthier, more breathable, and less toxic to the environment.
2. Swap Plastic for Natural Fibers
Plastic décor and storage items often end up in landfills, where they remain for centuries while releasing harmful chemicals. By switching to natural fibers like jute, hemp, or bamboo, you choose materials that are biodegradable and renewable.
You can even replace plastic containers with glass jars for storing pantry staples, bathroom essentials, or even small décor items. Glass is 100% recyclable, making it an excellent eco-friendly décor item to use at home.
3. Decorate with Handcrafted Textiles
Another way to create eco-friendly décor is to bring in handcrafted textiles like block-printed curtains, hand-dyed pillows, cotton bedding, or hand-woven rugs. Apart from the personal, artistic touch they add to your space, handcrafted items are typically made with natural fabrics and less energy consumption.
Also, the fact that they are handmade means they're not mass-produced through chemical-intensive processes in factories, unlike synthetics. You can find brands selling handcrafted textiles online; just ensure you look them up to see their commitment to sustainability. By choosing handcrafted textiles, you reduce the demand for petroleum-based synthetics and lower your carbon footprint.
4. Use 100% Cotton Table Linens
Your table linens are décor items you use at home daily, making them perfect for a sustainable swap. To make your home more eco-friendly, try switching to organic cotton napkins and tablecloths. Organic cotton is the most sustainable fabric around, even more eco-friendly than conventional cotton.
Consider using these block print napkins and tablecloths made with organic cotton. Handcrafted with plant-based dyes using the traditional art of block printing, these table linens add elegance to every meal while keeping your décor gentle on the planet.
5. Bring in Natural Plants
Artificial décor may look nice at first, but it’s made from plastics and chemicals that damage the environment. Houseplants, on the other hand, absorb CO₂ and filter toxins, thereby improving indoor air quality.
Basically, switching from faux plants to real ones helps you reduce plastic waste and your carbon footprint. For ease, choose low-maintenance houseplants like jade plant (money plant), gasteria, and black rose.
6. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Another eco-friendly change you can make at home is to switch to energy-efficient lighting throughout. According to the Department of Energy, lighting accounts for 15% of household energy use, and switching to energy-efficient LED lights can save you $225 in energy costs per year.
Every dollar you save by switching to energy-efficient lighting translates to lower carbon emissions. This is an easy and economically beneficial way to make your home more eco-friendly.
7. Buy Décor Locally
Handmade décor accents like pottery, wood carvings, or woven baskets are typically made using natural materials. When you buy these items locally, you cut down on the emissions linked to overseas transport while reducing demand and production of factory-made synthetics.
At the same time, you’re helping small businesses thrive. For your convenience, search online for stores near you selling handcrafted artisanal décor.
8. Repurpose Old Furniture
Looking to get new furniture? Why not simply repurpose your old ones? If the wooden frame of that old chair or cabinet still feels strong, a quick sanding and coat of eco-friendly paint can breathe new life into it. Simply reupholstering old furniture with sustainable fabrics or vintage fabric is another way to go.
Remember that repurposing items is a sustainable practice as it keeps old items out of landfill and reduces the demand for resource-heavy new production.
9. Shop Secondhand or Vintage
While we all love the feel and idea of new stuff, “new” doesn’t always have to mean right off the factory. A high-quality secondhand décor item is basically new to you, as long as this is the first time you’re bringing it into your space.
You’ll be amazed at the quality and beauty of décor accents you’ll find at local flea markets and online resale shops. Plus, secondhand finds often add character and history to your home, so you lose nothing in terms of decorative power. Coupled with the fact that it keeps items out of landfills, shopping thrift is an effective way to transition to sustainable décor.
10. Get Creative with DIY Décor
DIY décor not only reduces waste but also adds a personal charm to your space. So before buying new decorations, look around and see what you can repurpose.
Leftover fabric scraps can be stitched into wall art. Old vintage linens can be upcycled into pillow covers. Old jars can become candle holders, and glass bottles can be turned into vases. If you’re big on DIY crafts, you’ll really enjoy these activities.
Where to Find Handcrafted, Eco-Friendly Home Décor
If you’re looking for eco-friendly home décor items like handcrafted rugs, curtains, pillows, and table linens, head to Ichcha. With a wide range of decorative block-printed textiles hand-dyed using natural dyes, you’ll certainly find something you love.
Shop Ichcha Eco-Friendly Home Decor
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I make my home more eco-friendly?
To make your home more eco-friendly, start by switching to energy-efficient lighting, low VOC or VOC-free paints, real houseplants instead of faux, and sustainable fabrics for bedding and linens. Each change lowers your home’s environmental footprint without sacrificing style.
How to make eco-friendly home decor?
You can make eco-friendly home décor by repurposing items like glass jars into storage, making DIY crafts out of scrap fabric, repurposing old furniture, choosing natural fabric linens, and buying secondhand or vintage décor accents. The bottom line here is you’re reducing waste and plastics while supporting sustainable materials.
What is the most eco-friendly type of house?
The most eco-friendly homes are built with sustainable materials and VOC-free paints, and they use eco-friendly décor and solar or LED lighting with efficient insulation. Passive houses and tiny homes are popular examples.
What are some eco-friendly interior design ideas?
Eco-friendly interior design ideas include using natural fabrics for bedding and table linens, repurposed furniture, LED lighting, houseplants for clean air, and handmade décor from local artisans. These choices make your home stylish while reducing waste and energy use.