How to make your living room green

Many of us want to make a conscious decision to make our living rooms greener and yet we're put often put-off due to lack of knowledge or the most effective and budget friendly ideas. For some it's a case of 'where to start'' but no worries as I've compiled a post which shows just how easy and stylish going green can be. Starting from the floor up, the easy to follow the hints and tips, so you have no excuses not to do your bit for the environment!

Flooring

Small spot lights secured to a ceiling beam in a white living space, with large windows and brown corner sofa

Free House Interior Design Ideas

Opt for natural woods that are sustainably sourced. For a little softness and additional warmth rugs made from natural fibres and materials are ideal.

Freshome

Go for a trendy approach to wood flooring and let the natural product speak for itself in terms of visual and tactile appeal.

White walled cottage with stone fireplace and dark wood exposed ceiling beams

Squarestate

Reclaimed wood makes a stunning floor option that's very eco-friendly.

Walls

Luxurious living space with elegant tiled floor, comfy beige sofa and large open fireplace

Designing For Living

Glass walls are bang on-trend in contemporary styled homes; this means you can make the most of natural light and won't need a wall covering!

Hexagonal foam wall tiles in orange, yellow and grey

Retail Design Blog

Tiles made from recycled and/or natural fibres will give a wonderful textured look and they'll help to insulate the walls too.

A walk in closet and shower room with full wall of green leafy plants

Tasty Finds

Go really green and grow a living wall in your living room!

Open paint tins containing a number of different colours

Homedit

If you're going to use paint make sure it's eco-friendly.

Soft Furnishings

Natural wood finish chair with white metal sections, with cushion on top

House to Home

Use natural cottons and linens for all of your soft furnishings from curtains, to cushions, rugs and even the covering on your sofa and chairs.

white vertical blinds in large living space, covering floor to ceiling windows

Care2

Go for 'green' window dressings. If you don't want curtains blinds are a great choice for living rooms.

Furniture

Fresh Interior Ideas

Wood is the flavour of eco-friendly choices, along with natural cottons.

Design Wagen

There's some amazing 'green' fabrics and materials available – so amazing that you wouldn't really know they're very eco-friendly.

New Home Interior Design

Rattan and cane can be used in green living rooms successfully.

Lighting

Large living space with high ceilings, large grey corner sofa and large sliding doors open to a lovely hillside view

OLPOS

Making the most of natural light is not only very green it can also help to lower your energy bills.

Felie

Use side tables and spot light that give maximum light with minimum resources.

Houzz

Candles are the ideal 'green' lighting option. They'll provide you with soft lighting and won't add a penny to your electricity bill.

Accessories

Stone and ceramic planters on two stone plinths, with greenery in each

Newyorkmarkt

Plants displayed in eco-friendly ceramic pots are the perfect accessory in a green living room.

Dark brown tiles on a wall, with large rectangular gas fire, suspended from the ceiling by a black pipe in a modern living room

Houzz

Blocks of natural wood make great coffee tables and visual accessories. Use a log fire to help lower your carbon footprint – just make sure the logs haven't travelled half way around the world and that they've come from sustainable sources.

Furniture Home Design

Wicker, cane and rattan can be used for all manner of accessories; combine them with natural cotton and displays of wood/twigs etc. that you've collected on walks and you'll have a winning combination that looks chic and very stylish.