10 Things to Consider When Buying home interiors

Welcome to my new series, “Happy Holistic Home,” where I’ll share tips, or highlight products I’m crushing on that can help you create a more healthy, mindful home.

This will include anything better for our environment or ourselves, whether mentally, physically, or spiritually. Today I’m sharing some tips included in my eBook, The Nomad’s Guide to Decorating.

Next week, I’ll be sharing some incredibly luxurious, eco-friendly bedding from companies I can stand behind along with bedtime rituals for more peaceful sleep, but today I’m sharing 10 questions to ask before buying home decor. 

I hope this post helps guide or gently remind you to make more mindful decisions when it comes to buying items for your home, though it can be used for just about any purchase you make. 

As consumers, we have a voice, and our purchasing decisions are a vote for what we want and value. The more we expect better and safer products for ourselves and the planet, whether based on materials, origin, or sustainability, the more accessible these products will become. I’ve seen a massive shift in the last 5 years!

Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a purchase. While you may choose to buy or incorporate items that don’t check every single box, asking yourself these questions can shift your perspective on what to look for in the future and help you make more intentional decisions moving forward.

Of course, the type of paint you're looking for depends entirely on which part of the house you've decided to tackle. If you're not happy with interior colors, it's possible that you're not comfortable with the outside, either. Painting your exterior can seem like a monumental task, so starting with the basics and understanding what you're looking for can cut down on a lot of anxiety.

Solvent-based paint dries more slowly, while water-based is easier to clean up. If you're painting in the summer, or if you feel that you might need a little more time to get things just right, take this into consideration.

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Next, consider the sheen, which depends on the traffic you expect: Gloss is toughest, and it helps with high-traffic areas, especially if you have kids. For trim, like door casings and shutters, semi-gloss is recommended: It's less shiny but still durable.

Satin, or low-luster, is easy to clean, while flat paint hides imperfections and is easier to touch up. If you have siding, consider the pros and cons of these two types.

In any case, it's best to start with a small quantity, paint a patch of wall in direct sunlight and see what happens. Like any complex chemical compound, there are a lot of factors that can change the appearance of any kind of paint, so you'll want to know what the future holds.