With the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day right around the corner, it is a great time to start thinking about how to make more eco-friendly decisions and ways to lead a “greener” lifestyle. Many easy adjustments can be made at home, and contrary to popular belief, these adjustments don’t need to be expensive or exhausting. There are plenty of cost-effective, eco-friendly design and renovation projects you can undertake this year that will help spruce up your home and positively impact the environment at the same time. And remember, living green should be year-round.

To start, consider the following environmentally-friendly tips and practices:

Find Hidden Gems: Before you shop for costly new pieces of furniture, take a second look at unused pieces in your basement, garage or guest rooms.  In many cases, long-ignored decor can easily be refurbished with a new coat of paint, reupholstering or another type of creative makeover. If you can’t fight the urge to splurge, shop locally first, visit some second-hand store or ask your friends if they have pieces gathering dust in their homes. This eliminates manufacturing and transportation costs and is a more sustainable approach to decorating and furnishing your home.  Plus, you can never go wrong with a classic antique piece or helping your friends clean out their storage. Hunting for treasure in person not your style? Try browsing online stores for environmentally-friendly furniture, paint or artwork.

Say It with Color: A new coat of paint can do wonders in changing the look of a room. Make sure to choose low or zero VOC (volatile organic chemicals) paint, which uses water instead of oil, thereby reducing toxins and limiting the impact on your home and the environment. Painting a few rooms or refinishing some antiques low or zero VOC paint can improve the design of any home and you will sleep easier at night knowing you did your part by choosing this green alternative while adding jazz to your decor!

Be Energy Efficient: Look into a free home energy audit, which can help save both money and wasted energy usage. Your local energy provider can usually assist in setting up an appointment. Additionally, if you are looking to purchase a new appliance, consider Energy Star-qualified appliances, which use 25 percent-40 percent less energy than conventional options and can result in savings of up to $100 (or more) a year on energy bills. Last but not least, always remember to shut off and unplug electrical devices when not in use; something so easy really can make a big difference for both your wallet and the environment.

If you think you have to sacrifice your sense of style in order to go green, think again! Being green has become such a hip term in today’s society, and why not? It is the right thing to do. So, as the mercury continues to rise and you embark on your spring home renovation projects, keep these green tips handy. Many of them will save you money, and all of them will help make a positive impact on your surroundings!