10 Low Waste Ways to Add Color & Texture to a Room
Even for those of us who work hard to ignore interior decor trends and stick to what we truly love and need, it can be tough to resist the allure of introducing new things. Our homes are our ever-changing art palettes— safe places where we should feel empowered to try out what brings us joy and utility, without fear of judgment or expectation. But given the realities of the climate crisis and the devastating impacts of “fast furnishings” and accessories, coupled with limited budgets and bandwidths, how can we switch things up responsibly?
Here are ten of my most commonly employed tips for bringing a fresh wave of color and texture to a kitchen, keeping budget and the wellness of this extraordinary planet in mind.
Borrow
If you don’t have a public library card, now is a great time to get one! Borrowing books about cooking, canning, gardening, and culinary reference guides can not only provide you with a wealth of new information and ideas, but the publications themselves will add layers of color and meaning to your space. I have a small collection of folding, secondhand bookstands and racks that I use to display volumes, both opened and closed. Public libraries encourage sharing within our communities, and borrowing items rather than permanently acquiring them can help us save funds and inches while preventing material waste, all without depriving us of the information and character we seek.
Peel & Stick
Installing a backsplash (and removing an old one) can be pricey and involve a large number of materials and packing materials. Whether you rent or own your home, consider a playful peel and stick wallpaper instead as a way of instantly transforming accent walls within your kitchen. (Just be sure to keep safety and humidity in mind when selecting placement.) I recommend taking a peek at the Love vs Design website, because they have delightful designs that can be customized for the exact color combinations desired, all in a damage-free format. (You can also get larger format custom samples, which is helpful for highly visual folks like myself.)
Aboev: Some of my favorite Love vs Design patterns and colors.
Visit the Farmers Market
Using fruit and leafy greens to adorn your kitchen is a great way of ensuring that your decor is ever-changing, all while reminding you of the healthy snacks and meals you can access throughout the day. Vintage bowls with citrus, hanging trays of apples, dangling hooks with herbs and bananas, water-filled mason jars of broad-leafed kale and chard, and repurposed yogurt pots with spinach and edible flowers are all ways of livening up your space with food and functional decor.
Paint & Stamp
A sample size of non-toxic paint can help transform a room, whether you paint an entire surface, add a few stripes or spots here and there, or stamp a pattern in an unexpected area.
Repurpose
Dangle stemware with a repurposed bookrack. Use an old basket or sifting tray create hanging, breathable produce storage. Use wall-mounted, folding drying racks to store, display and air out kitchen linens. The possibilities are truly endless, and the results will give your space a one-of-a-kind feeling that can never be found in a retail store.
Get Help from Hardware
Adding hooks in both obvious and unexpected places can help you exponentially increase the storage space in your ditch. Use knobs, pulls and hooks to craft endlessly flexible and functional displays of linens, utensils, mugs, herbs, etc.
Ditch the Packaging
Be mindful of the packaged goods you bring into your home. Product packaging is typically wasteful, loud in design, and bulky. When possible, refill pantry essentials and cleaning supplies in your own, preferred containers. This will not only cut back on waste, but allow you to customize the most utilitarian zones within your kitchen. When packaged items are unavoidable, research ethical brands with thoughtful containers.
Get Spicy
Display ingredients with intention. Slowly finding jars and containers to repurpose for your colorful spices and baking ingredients will help you craft displays that are as delightful to look at as they are to cook with.
Create a Canvas
Art isn’t just for walls. Thanks to unique secondhand frames and DIY hangers, as well as damage-free accessories like Command Strips, you can display art in a variety of ways on a myriad of surfaces. The front of a fridge or cabinet can become an art wall if handled carefully.
Maximize Windows
A window frame can be put to extended use (without being covered up!) with the assistance of tension rods and/or slim shelves. Where it’s safe to do so, consider using S-hooks to dangle everyday kitchen items in a window frame, or create a petite potted herb garden on a sunny ledge.
