Sustainable and Eco Friendly Outdoor Decor Ideas

Transitioning your entire home to eco-friendlier practices may feel daunting, so changing up the outdoor spaces may feel more manageable. From investing in sustainable furniture and decor pieces to cutting down energy usage, here are a few simple swaps you can make to green your space.

Use solar lights to illuminate pathways and create an inviting, cozy ambiance without increasing your electric bill. Select natural fabrics that breathe well and resist mold and mildew growth for best results.

Solar Lights

Solar lights offer homeowners looking to add some illumination to their outdoor space without increasing their electricity bill a great solution. Solar cells convert solar energy to electricity that can then be stored in batteries ready for night use – perfect in areas and circumstances where connecting directly to the main power grid would not be suitable.

Solar-powered lights come in various styles and products. They can help highlight garden features like flowerbeds and trees while lighting pathways, steps and driveways at night. Some even come equipped with flameless options to avoid potential fire hazards in certain situations.

Solar lighting requires regular upkeep in order to operate efficiently. They should be kept out of shaded areas and moved periodically for best performance, as well as having any dust or dirt removed that might interfere with charging capabilities. An internal small circuit board – or controller – oversees how much charge goes back into their battery each day, helping ensure its lighting up every morning as planned.

Rainwater Barrel

If the climate in your area tends to be dry, a rain barrel can provide free water for gardening and outdoor uses. Water collected through downspouts or diverters and stored in large plastic barrels; when needed it can be drained off for use or used to water plants and gardens.

Rain barrels can help mitigate runoff pollution that spreads harmful elements such as soil, lawn fertilizers, pesticides, trash, pet waste and road salt to waterways, where they harm aquatic life. A rain barrel also conserves drinking water resources while saving on household utility costs.

Rainwater harvesting is an effortless and cost-effective way to revitalize your landscape. While retailers sell barrels, you can easily make your own using a 55-gallon food grade barrel fitted with an overflow valve and screen at the top, or an outdoor plant bed and screen to prevent mosquito breeding in standing water.

Natural Pool

Natural swimming pools use plants instead of harmful chemicals and mechanical filtration systems to keep their waters clean, offering an alternative form of aquatic maintenance that doesn’t involve chemical-laden waters or complicated mechanical filters. These self-contained ecosystems consist of swimming and regeneration zones connected by pump systems; aquatic plants provide gentle filtration while adding oxygen-rich air into the pool as well as providing habitat for amphibians, dragonflies and other wildlife species. They require much simpler maintenance compared to their counterparts with only needing one weekly skimming to remove leaves or debris buildup from pool sides compared with traditional pools’ requirements for complex maintenance systems involving multiple mechanical filters or filters being involved compared with natural pools!

Natural pools can enhance any landscape. A rustic pond-style design works particularly well on properties with natural, wild themes; or for something more modern choose rectangular pool designs that maximize swimming space with natural stone edgings – surround them with aquatic plants such as rushes, irises, and water lilies to add an organic element and balance their ecosystem.

Natural Stone Pathways

Stone pathways draw people outdoors and set the scene for any landscape design. Handmade pathways created from flagstone, cobblestone or gravel create natural stone paths with rustic or refined appearances; when combined with other earthy elements they offer multisensory experiences that elevate any garden space.

Stepping stone pathways blend effortlessly into their surroundings, and can be illuminated with solar lights for an inviting effect. Recycling pavers or permeable options reduce landfill waste while supporting sustainable water management practices.

If you prefer more formal walkways, a herringbone or basket weave arrangement using natural stones can be created using local materials to minimize emissions and support local economies. Pavers made with repurposed concrete provide another environmentally friendly option while still looking similar to natural stones while providing greater design flexibility and permeable pavers allow rainwater to pass through more freely reducing risks of puddles while encouraging groundwater recharge. Mulch or crushed stone may also make economical eco-friendly walkway options while offering soft organic features that complement garden settings.

Organic Fabrics

Materials you select when decorating your outdoor space can have an enormous impact on the planet. When purchasing rugs, curtains and furniture covers for outdoor spaces opt for organic fabrics that support sustainable production and ethical design practices. Organic fabric production uses less harmful chemicals from planting to textile manufacturing which reduces pollution while protecting earth while decreasing chances of introducing harmful substances into your home environment.

Look for eco-friendly linen or cotton fabrics that are both breathable and durable to add an earthy vibe to your living space. Jute, sisal and wool also offer unique textures that enhance home decor.

Select non-toxic, low-VOC paint for your walls to help create a healthier indoor environment and decrease chemical waste. Make your investment count for sustainable construction practices by choosing bamboo or reclaimed wood furniture – which adds character and supports sustainable building methods! Embark upon nature by welcoming birds into your garden using DIY birdhouses made from reclaimed wood; build a compost bin to reduce landfill contributions while providing your plants with nutritious food waste to grow healthier over time!

Recycled Furniture

Recycled furniture is an effective way to reduce tree cutting. Furniture made from reclaimed wood sourced from old barns and farmhouses, floor boards or railroad sleepers offers rustic charm that suits many decor styles; plus it can even be painted or stained to add color to your garden or patio space!

When purchasing wood, the best practice is to select sustainably-harvested varieties. This means harvesting from forests managed in such a way as to protect ecosystems and prevent erosion; additionally, used trees are replaced with new seedlings in order to maintain biodiversity within forests.

Furniture created from recycled plastic is another sustainable option. This weather-resistant and virtually maintenance-free material has now become popular with many brands as an eco-friendly alternative to wood. Yardbird, for instance, creates high-quality pieces made of plastic destined to end up in canals or the ocean as eco friendly patio furniture diy pieces.

Vertical Gardens

Vertical gardens are an integral component of Biophilic Design, adding greenery to homes or businesses and improving well-being by filtering pollutants out of the air and reducing urban heat islands. Though maintaining such vertical gardens may prove challenging, their added greenery can reduce stress while simultaneously encouraging biodiversity.

Vertical gardens can be created in various ways, from simple trellises to premade modular planters and walls. Plants grown can range from decorative options such as moss or sedum to edible varieties like strawberries or kale; furthermore some vines such as tomatoes, cucumbers and squash thrive best when trained vertically.

Many homeowners are turning to vertical gardening to maximize their outdoor space. Trellises or other structures provide space for growing herbs, flowers and small vegetables like beans and peas; vines like ivy can be trained up fences for privacy screening; upcycled pallets can even be used as wall-mounted planting pockets!

Planters

Planters make an enormous impactful statement about a garden’s size, soil control, and healthy plant growth. Available in various shapes, sizes and materials to match any style outdoor landscape design aesthetic – durable eco-friendly planter pots provide an opportunity to reduce maintenance while supporting gardening trends that promote sustainability and biodiversity.

Planter styles range from bowl, trough and cone/cylinder designs – ideal for planting mixed flower and shrub gardens together to form an eye-catching feature in the garden – to hanging and self-watering designs which help maintain proper moisture levels reducing frequency of watering needs.

Upcycled planters offer a more sustainable and budget-friendly alternative. By recycling old buckets, cans or bottles into garden containers, these upcycled planters reduce landfill waste while contributing to the growing trend towards circular economies. Other eco-conscious options are biodegradable materials which promote healthy soil, encourage regrowth and limit exposure to harmful chemicals; which supports organic gardening trends.