March is B Corp month – the annual celebration of Certified B Corporations around the world. B Corps are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
To celebrate B Corp month, interior design experts at B-corp certified brand, Plank Hardware, have shared how to decorate your home sustainably.
Tom Revill, co-founder of Plank Hardware said, “You don’t have to compromise on your interior goals for the sake of the planet. There are plenty of eco-friendly ways to help you decorate your home, from recycling your old homeware and shopping second hand to sourcing biodegradable decor supplies.
“When looking to decorate your home sustainably, we recommend turning to B Corp certified companies, selling environmentally conscious products. Whether you’re having a full-blown renovation or you’re just looking to refresh your kitchen, here’s seven ways you can pull it off sustainably.”
- Upcycle furniture
Upcycling is an excellent way to breathe new life into your existing decor. Instead of buying new furniture, look for secondhand pieces or refurbish old ones. You can repaint, reupholster or repurpose new or existing items to give it a fresh look without the need for expensive replacements.
A simple way to transform your cooking space is to upcycle your kitchen cabinets. Provided you can access some basic DIY tools and supplies, quite often all you’ll need to buy is paint or varnish, then quality hardware or other decorative finishes.
Using sugar soap to clean your cabinets is an important first step, since it will remove the grease and grime that the kitchen environment is subjected to. Then applying a coat of primer (one suited to the cabinet door finish), will ensure that your top layers of paint apply smoothly, so your finish is as professional as can be expected of a DIY job.
We would always recommend applying two coats of paint, even if the first coat looks slick — kitchens are busy places that are subject to knocks and bangs. Then install new, contemporary handles that match your design scheme.
Give dated, gloss kitchen cabinets a timeless treatment by using MDF panelling to create Shaker style doors. Prime, paint and complete with aluminium hardware, for a sleek, planet-friendly touch.
You could also take your neglected utility room doors or under stairs storage doors and give them a refresh by adding a lick of paint or sanding down the door to embrace its raw wooden look. Next, add new internal door hardware – choose styles and finishes that suit your interior decor and give the impression of higher quality throughout the home – often contributing to the perceived value of your home.
- Stock up on eco-friendly decor supplies
Invest in high-quality essentials, which are either reusable, recyclable or biodegradable. Check out Lick’s decorating kits, these include everything you need to start painting eco-consciously, including bamboo roller frames and sugarcane pulp paint trays.
Opt for low VOC, eco-friendly and water-based paints. To reduce paint waste, just secure a rubber band around your tin to seal your paint and wipe off excess paint.
Rather than shopping for single use plastic sheets, opt for dust sheets manufactured with an additive that helps them degrade much faster. You could also use an old bed sheet which can be used time and again on your DIY projects.
- Revisit and reuse the old
When it comes to hardware, it doesn’t get more eco-conscious than reusing what you’ve already got at home. If your old brass hardware looks grimey, give it a quick clean with warm soapy water. Now that it’s salvaged, you can repurpose it. Convert your knobs into hooks to keep clutter to a minimum, with Plank Hardware’s knob to hook conversion kit. You can even install handles on walls or under shelves for a practical hanging rail.
Have no other option but to replace your old brass hardware? Before shopping for new knobs or handles, send over old brass hardware to Plank Hardware and they’ll recycle it for you.
- Shop sustainable soft furnishings
To make your space more inviting, soft furnishings are key. House of Hackney is a carbon-neutral brand, offering a variety of patterned curtains, blinds, bedding & blankets, all handcrafted in England using sustainable materials.
Need a complete furniture makeover? Reupholster your headboard or office chair with one of House of Hackney’s statement-making fabrics.
- Try second hand homeware
Add character to your space with second hand homeware. Add character to your space with second hand homeware. Ian Snow stocks vintage homeware, with everything from colourful candle stands to vintage fire bowls. All available products are made from either recycled, upcycled or sustainable materials.
Looking to refresh your tableware or need a sleek vase? Check out Fable, offering local, recycled clay products that are made to last.
- Opt for natural materials and textiles
Choosing furniture and decor made from natural materials is not only environmentally friendly but also adds warmth and texture to your home. Choose curtains, rugs, and bedding made from organic cotton, linen, or wool. These materials are biodegradable and often produced using fewer chemicals than conventional fabrics.
Reclaimed wood, salvaged from old buildings or furniture, gives a rustic charm while reducing the demand for new timber. Cork is another eco-friendly material, as it’s harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming them.
Aluminium hardware is infinitely recyclable and makes a great planet-friendly option for touchpoints. Featherweight to handle, it’s super easy to transport and so creates minimal carbon emissions when manufactured and shipped.
- Do-it-yourself
DIY, or do-it-yourself is a great way to breathe new life into your existing decor or create new pieces all together. If you’re feeling inspired, you can have a go at creating your own artwork using tester paint pots or DIY’ing your own serving tray. Why not upcycle a drinks tray with a splash of paint, patterned wallpaper and sturdy new handles? If you prefer a more versatile look, just secure knobs beneath each corner of your tray, and let your DIY take centre-stage on your dining table. With a wealth of tutorials on TikTok and YouTube, there’s so many ways you can DIY your own decor.
For more sustainable ways to decorate your home visit the Plank Hardware website.
