Slap what 'environmentally friendly' onto a product and it is almost certain to sell like hot cakes. This is especially true with regards to home accessories, as people are always looking for ways to incorporate eco-friendly trends to their home accessories and decor. Obviously, finding home decor that is beautiful and eco-friendly could be a challenge. Here are some basic tricks and tips.

Reclaimed

Undoubtedly, the simplest way to be 'eco-friendly' would be to skip the newly manufactured home accessories (even those made from recycled materials) and opt instead for reclaimed items. Including items you could find at thrift stores, antique stores, garage and yard sales, estate sales, secondhand stores and through various online retailers, for example eBay.

wall hooks and coat racks

If you are prepared to place the effort in, you'll find a myriad of reclaimed items. Note that 'reclaimed' does not always mean the piece continues to be assembled using different reclaimed materials. Additionally, it may mean items which have been salvaged in their entirety. Including furnishings, lighting fixtures, square and oval mirrors of any size, wall art and much, a lot more.

Recycled

Unfortunately, reclaimed pieces could be surprisingly expensive. This is especially true of items, such as furniture, produced from reclaimed wood. However, it is possible to find home accessories and decor in the stores which are produced from recycled products, which can be extremely eco-friendly.

Recycled glass tends to be more affordable and easy to come-by, so there is no reason to purchase a newly manufactured glass vase on the recycled glass vase. Plus, like many items, glass can be manipulated into new colors, sizes and shapes. Most individuals will be unable to tell that the new pieces are manufactured from recycled materials, though you might want to let them know!

iron wall decor

Reuse

Finally, don't be afraid to reuse existing items in your house. You are able to reupholster old furniture, or refinish old wood furniture to create a fresh, change for less money and fewer harm to environmental surroundings. Reusing existing interior decor can help to save not just money, but will put less bad toxins in to the environment.

When reupholstering furniture or simply creating new covers for the existing throw pillows, look for fabrics such as organic cotton, silk, bamboo-based fabrics and polyesters made from recycled plastics. Be sure to always choose upholstery grade fabrics for reupholstering, because these holds up the best over 'regular' fabrics.' There are other fabrics that are also eco-friendly including hemp, soy-based fabrics, linen, cashmere, ingeo (which is produced from fermented plant sugars) and alpaca fabrics.