How to Celebrate Diwali the Eco-Friendly Way
Show off your eco-living side with decorations and gifts that are kind to our environment
Deepawali is just round the corner and I am sure the planning and preparations have begun at your home too. Cleaning and organising every nook of the house, decorating it, shopping for clothes, picking gifts for relatives and friends … there is so much to do.
It might seem easier to just grab the first options that come to hand, but, considering the alarming state of our environment, it’s imperative that we not only live our daily lives consciously and responsibly but also celebrate our festivals that way.
It might seem easier to just grab the first options that come to hand, but, considering the alarming state of our environment, it’s imperative that we not only live our daily lives consciously and responsibly but also celebrate our festivals that way.
Switch to LED
How can one celebrate Diwali without any gleam and glow? Good-quality LED lights consume less energy, are long-lasting and are very versatile, thereby proving eco-friendlier and more efficient than incandescent bulbs and tube lights.
Use LED string lights to add sparkle to both indoor and outdoor spaces. They can be wrapped around pillars, hung on walls and patios, and on plants and trees. Also, you can employ LEDs in pendants, chandeliers, wall sconces and track lights that come in a variety of designs for all decor styles. Swapping your traditional lights with LEDs can add to the green quotient and save on your electricity bills.
Check out lighting products on Houzz
How can one celebrate Diwali without any gleam and glow? Good-quality LED lights consume less energy, are long-lasting and are very versatile, thereby proving eco-friendlier and more efficient than incandescent bulbs and tube lights.
Use LED string lights to add sparkle to both indoor and outdoor spaces. They can be wrapped around pillars, hung on walls and patios, and on plants and trees. Also, you can employ LEDs in pendants, chandeliers, wall sconces and track lights that come in a variety of designs for all decor styles. Swapping your traditional lights with LEDs can add to the green quotient and save on your electricity bills.
Check out lighting products on Houzz
Buy home decor accessories made of organic materials
Since materials such as wood, fabric, clay, terracotta, jute, cork, rattan and bamboo are derivatives of nature, they are not harmful and can be used in homes without any synthetic treatment. Inviting these materials as Diwali wall decor, display items or any other decorative form can directly bring you closer to sustainability. And, of course, they look so much more stylish and attractive.
Since materials such as wood, fabric, clay, terracotta, jute, cork, rattan and bamboo are derivatives of nature, they are not harmful and can be used in homes without any synthetic treatment. Inviting these materials as Diwali wall decor, display items or any other decorative form can directly bring you closer to sustainability. And, of course, they look so much more stylish and attractive.
- If you plan to bring in some new furniture, home decor or utility pieces, it’s a great time to buy bamboo or rattan furniture, wood- or fabric-based lighting fixtures, terracotta or clay vases and pots, jute doormats and so on.
- Perhaps you use store-bought bandhanwars and torans (decorative door hangings) made of artificial beads and pearls. Instead of these plastic avatars, go for ones made of handloom fabric, crochet, patchwork and other textiles that are much gentler to the environment and look much better. Thanks to the fabric element, you can bring home your favourite patterns, weaves and colours instantly.
- Although it is best to keep temporary decorations to a minimum to reduce waste the following day, using real flowers and leaves instead of paper and plastic gives you a sure-shot green edge. And remember to compost after!
- Earthen diyas, tea lights and candles are kinder alternatives to electrically-powered decorative lamps and lanterns. They can be decorated in multiple ways (with paint, glitter, stones) to add a festive Diwali vibe to your home. There is usually an NGO near you selling hand-decorated diyas, where the proceeds go to charity.
Pick organic rangoli colours
This year when you go shopping for your rangoli, only pick organic herbal colours, because they do not pollute the soil after disposal. Otherwise, real rose petals, marigold petals and chrysanthemum flowers can also be used to make beautiful designs in vibrant red, orange, yellow and pink colours. As a finishing touch, you can add clay diyas to light up the setting.
Diwali Celebrations: 6 Rangoli Designs to Make This Festive Season
This year when you go shopping for your rangoli, only pick organic herbal colours, because they do not pollute the soil after disposal. Otherwise, real rose petals, marigold petals and chrysanthemum flowers can also be used to make beautiful designs in vibrant red, orange, yellow and pink colours. As a finishing touch, you can add clay diyas to light up the setting.
Diwali Celebrations: 6 Rangoli Designs to Make This Festive Season
ECO FRIENDLY GIFTS
Accessories made of natural materials
Jute rugs, table lamps made of handwoven fibre, fabric wall decor, wooden trays, terracotta or clay planters … all these decor pieces made of natural materials not only lend a traditional touch to any space, but also serve as a beautiful and sensible addition to your loved one’s home. You can buy handicrafts, artwork and handloom from the local craftsmen, too.
Take a look at accessories on offer on Houzz
Accessories made of natural materials
Jute rugs, table lamps made of handwoven fibre, fabric wall decor, wooden trays, terracotta or clay planters … all these decor pieces made of natural materials not only lend a traditional touch to any space, but also serve as a beautiful and sensible addition to your loved one’s home. You can buy handicrafts, artwork and handloom from the local craftsmen, too.
Take a look at accessories on offer on Houzz
Tableware and dinnerware of a modest make
Look for unique tea sets, coffee mugs and bowl sets made of ceramic, cork and other materials that are not hostile to human and environmental health. Plate sets and bowl sets of stone and metal are also available in the market. Not only are these materials interestingly tactile and long-lasting, they are also friends of the nature.
Pick out the choicest tableware on Houzz products
Look for unique tea sets, coffee mugs and bowl sets made of ceramic, cork and other materials that are not hostile to human and environmental health. Plate sets and bowl sets of stone and metal are also available in the market. Not only are these materials interestingly tactile and long-lasting, they are also friends of the nature.
Pick out the choicest tableware on Houzz products
Potted plant
A potted plant is, no doubt, a non-polluting gift. You can typically gift a money plant, a peace lily flowering plant, a snake plant or an areca palm; they are easy to grow indoors, have a fresh and natural appeal and have special air-purifying properties.
Choose a beautiful pot or planter for your plant gift
A potted plant is, no doubt, a non-polluting gift. You can typically gift a money plant, a peace lily flowering plant, a snake plant or an areca palm; they are easy to grow indoors, have a fresh and natural appeal and have special air-purifying properties.
Choose a beautiful pot or planter for your plant gift
Potpourri
A potpourri is an assorted mixture of dried aromatic plant materials, such as flowers, leaves, spices and herbs. A large bowl or jar full of potpourri can be an eco-friendly gift that complements all design styles and makes for crisp tabletop decor. Generally, natural essential oils are paired along with potpourri to heighten its fragrance.
Read more:
25 of the Best Decor Brands on Houzz India
Fresh Ideas: Top 10 Diwali Gifts
Tell us:
Are you going to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali? How? Share in Comments below.
A potpourri is an assorted mixture of dried aromatic plant materials, such as flowers, leaves, spices and herbs. A large bowl or jar full of potpourri can be an eco-friendly gift that complements all design styles and makes for crisp tabletop decor. Generally, natural essential oils are paired along with potpourri to heighten its fragrance.
Read more:
25 of the Best Decor Brands on Houzz India
Fresh Ideas: Top 10 Diwali Gifts
Tell us:
Are you going to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali? How? Share in Comments below.
Choose low-VOC or natural wall paints
Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are harmful emissions from paints that could lead to adverse long- and short-term health effects. If you are planning to get your house repainted this Diwali, choose low-VOC, zero-VOC or natural wall paints only.
Since, in wall paints, the colouring agent is the primary source of VOCs, zero-VOC paints generally come in lighter shades. However, they are almost odourless, cause less toxic emissions, are easy to clean and are durable. Unlike conventional paints, these eco-friendly varieties do not harm the indoor air quality of the home.
Diwali Guide: How to Paint Your Home in 9 Days