In the last year or so we have seen a major drive by society to become more green conscious and eco-friendly. As Joe Soap has become more aware of the effect or excessive consumerism is having on our planet, so we, as a society, are finally starting to make a concerted effort to help the environment! Thank goodness!

But being green and eco-friendly does not mean you have to abandon your house, electricity and running water for a cave in the bush somewhere, nowhere near as drastic an action as this needs to take place I promise! If you choose to be a vegan hippy who abhors any form of materialism or commercial produce, good for you! There are a number of Amish communities in the states who would love to have you if only you would change your clothes! But the rest of us still enjoy some of our creature comforts and would prefer to hang on to them while still aiding the planet, thank you very much!

This of course, is where décor and design arena have grabbed the ball and run with it! And so we now have alternatives to barefoot bush living which allow us to do our bit and still contribute to the green, planet saving cause! Eco-friendly décor Ideas are coming to the fore left right and centre! These décor ideas encompass a huge variety of different actions: actions as small as using energy saving light bulbs or as big as the décor and design of completely eco-friendly and green homes!

Now one of my favourite eco-friendly décor idea has got to be upcycling! Upcycling is basically recycling with a difference. Instead of putting old things out in the trash or into the recycling bins, you find other ways to reuse them. Recycling still works for things like tins, glass, paper  etc, but where upcycling can really be applied is to old furniture products, fixtures and such that would ordinarily have no place else to go other  than to be dumped!

There are just hundreds of upcycled furniture décor ideas doing the rounds at the moment. Some upcycled furniture décor ideas are very subtle, some are loud and proud, but all of them are exceptionally clever and very cool. As far as décor and design go, upcycled furniture is absolutely fabulous not only as conversation pieces, but also for doing your bit to be more green!

Here are a couple of the more funky but brilliant upcycled furniture décor ideas I have seen of late. These are just fabulous for interior décor and some of them you could even do yourselves! Take a look!

How about using old doors as table tops? This décor ideas is just brilliant and puts old doors to new use. In this image we have an upcycled blue door with legs attached, all painted blue and distressed. This could work just a s well for doors as window shutters for your interior décor and, depending on the treatment, could be used in the home or on the veranda!

Upcycled chairs come in all shapes and sizes but I think this one is just fabulous. Made from an old washing tub by designer Katie Thompson, this ottoman is made using the old metal washing tub which has then been neatly upholstered with button padded upholstery and a substantial amount of stuffing!

These umbrellas, also by Katie Thompson, are being used as a lighting display. How much more simple could you go with your interior design than this, yet it is so effective. This would be especially lovely in a little girls room or boudoir using small pink umbrellas or beautiful parasols… Ooo, or imagine it with gorgeous Chinese paper parasols!

Here some clever person has used old suitcases as shelving! Brilliant! I want to rush home and do this right now! These old fashioned little brown suit cases look positively gorgeous floating against this wall, adding a touch of charm to the interior décor.

This must be the best and most funky version of upcycled furniture I have seen so far! Talk about the best use for an old bath tub! Here the tub has been cut in half, no mean feat I’m sure, and then fitted out with a funky retro patterned cushion to turn it into possibly the most unique seat I have ever seen!