5 Sustainable Ways to Upgrade your Living Room

There comes a time in the life of every living room when it needs a lift - when it starts to feel a bit tired and lacking in inspiration. But apart from the cost of overhauling your space, it’s also important to think about the environmental impact of replacing fixtures, fittings and furniture.

That’s why we’ve come up with five clever and environmentally sound ways to upgrade your living room. And the best thing is, each of our following five steps offer great value and will take just a few minutes.

1. Switch to ambient LED bulbs

The easiest and quickest way to change the mood and atmosphere in any room is with lighting. Using a mix of floor and side lamps is a good place to start.

For example, low level lighting is always more relaxing than ceiling lights. Try to angle light towards specific objects or add light to the lower levels, bringing attention to a particular area of your living room.

Here’s the important part, swap out lightbulbs for LED variants, which typically use between 25% and 80% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer.

When buying your new LED bulbs, we recommend you keep the following in mind:

• Check the size and fixture type of your fitting
• Think about your lumens requirements
• Consider both the mood and practical nature of your lighting

2. Invest in high-quality pieces that will last longer

Remember that the true worth of something lies in the value, not the price. Better quality accessories and furniture tends to last longer, meaning you don’t have to replace it at further expense.

You can update your living room in no-time with smaller pieces such as ottomans and footstools, they can help to add another dynamic and additional seating. 

The good news? Finding high-quality pieces doesn’t always have to take lots of research. Look for things made from natural materials, so replace plastic and synthetic materials for wood, linens and organic cottons. A simple message to a brand's customer service team can help clear up any questions you have. Also, keep an eye-out for certifications, such as whether the wood is traceable, sustainable timber.

3. Add soft furnishings made from natural materials

Of course, your eco-living room doesn’t have to involve a complete overhaul, introducing small touches such as using cushions and throws can make a big difference to the look and feel of a room.

Opt for natural and sustainably sourced materials such as hessian, cotton and wool, these materials will add texture and character to your space.

4. De-toxify your living space

As we’re all spending more and more time in our homes right now, it might be time to think about the environments we create. Air quality indoors can be affected by toxins from cheap furniture and materials, as well as poor quality candles and chemical air fresheners. But there are alternatives.

Plants and flowers are nature's air purifiers, and have been proven to boost mood and reduce stress. They absorb toxins from the air and even reduce noise levels. On top of all that, they can also look beautiful and add a whole new dimension to any living space in minutes.

5. Instantly elevate your room with art from independent artists

Having art in the living room can help to tie colour schemes together and add a touch of inspiration to lift what may be an empty patch of wall.

It’s a good idea to try and support independent artists, adding a unique touch to your room. Platforms such as Artfinder and Etsy let you browse the work of thousands of unique artists, photographers and designers, buying directly from them. By avoiding mass produced art you can steer clear of the non-sustainable printing and manufacturing techniques often used by major retailers, as well as ensuring independent artists can earn a living.

Learn how we at Swyft are doing our best to look after the environment through sustainable sofas.

And, have a read of our eco-friendly and sustainable furniture buying guide to learn what to look out for when buying eco-friendly furniture and how to make sustainable choices when it comes to shopping.