The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and pumpkin spiced lattes are available everywhere. Fall is here! During this time of year, we can?t help but be reminded of the beautiful world in which we live, and our responsibility to take care of it. Whether you?re remodeling your home, building one from the ground up, or just looking for some dcor ideas for fall, we?ve selected three environmentally-friendly flooring options to warm up your home.

Hardwood Floors
On HGTV, it seems as though all of the do-it-yourself experts are using reclaimed hardwood for flooring and furniture. This trend is in style for a very good reason. Not only are sustainable hardwood floors the most environmentally-friendly flooring options, but the naturally-harvested wood has the power to increase air quality in your home.

Gray, blue, and white hues accent light hardwood floors while Earth tones compliment deeper shades of reclaimed wood.

Bamboo Floors
Bamboo floors, another environmentally-friendly alternative, have the added benefit of reduced maintenance for your busy life. These floors require only the basic sweeping and occasional mopping necessary with any flooring selection. Better yet, bamboo enhances any room with modern appeal.

Floral pieces also accentuate the elegance of bamboo floors.

Cork Floors
Cork flooring is the most durable option of all sustainable floors. Besides being able to withstand the test of time, cork is especially comfortable on your feet. The material caves in under each step. Not to mention, cork has microbial properties making it a much cleaner, safer material for your family. Cork floors can be accentuated in a ton of different ways, and are available in a wide variety of styles!

For more ideas on sustainable flooring and home dcor, check out our Design Trends board on Pinterest!

For most of us, the biggest concern during the winter is keeping our homes warm. You can always stock up on fluffy blankets, scarves, and gloves, but the most effective method of warming your house is to insulate your windows for winter. We know that not all windows can simply be replaced, so we?ve created a list of ideas for insulating them on your own!

Once you?ve insulated your windows, don?t forget to dress them up!

For more window dcor ideas, check out our Design Trends board on Pinterest!

Close your eyes. It?s 8pm on a cool June evening. You can hear crickets, feel the condensation of a cool drink in your hand, you?re immediately relaxed.

Here are some of our ideas to make your back patio the place to be!

Seating. This is an obvious must-have for your patio. But, you can dress up your table and chairs! There are many quality spray paints available that are meant for outdoor furniture. Don?t be afraid to add a pop of color! If painting your furniture seems overwhelming, try patterned throw pillows or table runners to bring some punch to your patio.

Lights. The size and layout of your space will determine what kind of lighting is feasible. Lights are an essential part of your patio whether it?s a DIY lantern or string lights to make the space seem airy. Having a well-lit area will allow you to spend even more time outside and set the tone for an evening with loved ones! Check out our Pinterest page for inspiration!

Greenery. You can make your patio seem cozier by adding greenery and flowers! Plants evoke a sense of relaxation and calm, making them perfect for your outdoor retreat. Stone planters with plenty of character can anchor your patio while hanging baskets of colorful flowers can add balance and create depth.

However you bring your style to your patio, just remember to relax. Living in the Midwest means we only have a few months to relish in warm weather. So, take time to enjoy and relax in the great outdoors!

You?re either the type of person that takes their shoes off every time they enter a home or you?re the type of person that only takes their shoes off to shower and sleep. While removing your shoes when you enter someone?s home is a cultural practice in nature, it turns out, it?s a healthy habit to develop.

Toxins

Think about the places you walk on a daily basis. Whether it?s your morning bus commute or walking the dog when you return home, your shoes are exposed to a lot.

Pesticides, for example, can be brought into your home for as long as a week after the initial spray, according to an article on The Alternative Daily. If you?re playing with your kids or weeding the yard, those chemicals are on you and your shoes and you track them through the house if you don?t remove your shoes. Not only can you track chemicals into your home, but think about the germs. Bacteria is everywhere and you?re exposed to a lot by simply walking on the sidewalk. A stroll down the block can expose your footwear to everything from animal waste to human body fluids.

It Protects Your Floors

Not only does removing your shoes prevent unnecessary toxins and bacteria from entering your living space, but it?s also less stressful on your floors.

The more grip and traction your shoes have, the more opportunities you have to drag in sand, dirt, rocks, etc. These materials can damage your floors by scratching and staining, which could cause you to replace them sooner than you?d like. Lucky for you, the solution is simply?take off your shoes at the door!

It Protects Your Children

Where do you kids play? Often times, it?s crawling on the floor with their favorite toys. Kids are also notorious for putting things in their mouths that don?t belong there in the first place. Make sure they?re as safe as possible by removing shoes at or near the door so you?re not exposing them to harmful chemicals.

It Protects Your Feet

That seems a little backwards because we are used to protecting our feet with our shoes. Just as we need that barrier when walking around in public, it?s important to also give your feet a break and let them breathe. According to Porch.com, walking barefoot indoors can increase our balance, massage the whole foot and increase our muscular strength.

The mantle often goes overlooked when preparing for holiday festivities other than Christmas, yet it really is the star of the living room. Check out these home dcor styling tips for mantles to pull your New Year?s Eve look together.

Go vintage and whimsical by using clocks
When the clock strikes midnight, we will welcome another year of life! Play on your guests? anticipation of watching Times Square?s annual ball-drop, and adorn your mantle in vintage clocks. Guests will love reminiscing over the past year in front of the clocks, while warming their hands over a cozy fire.

For some extra fun, set your clocks to different time zones, so every hour there?s a reason to toast!

Rustic banners and silver floral pieces highlight the beauty of winter
Winter can be incredibly harsh for many, if not most, people. Despite the dark days filled with cold snow and bitter air, winter can be a time of great joy as well! Silver floral pieces and rustic banners remind us of these joyful times. Decorating your mantle in these cheery selections will remind your guests of the beauty of winter; cuddling up with family and friends in front of the warm fire is a memory to last a lifetime!

Spell it out!
Pull those old frames out of storage and fill them with numbers to spell out the upcoming year. For an easy DIY upgrade, spray paint your frames with a metallic gold or silver and use your own illustrative talent to create the numbers! Use any additional frames and spell out your family?s last name to keep on top of the mantle throughout the rest of the year.

No matter which dcor advice you decide to take, your mantle will complete your overall look for a New Year?s Eve party! Now you?re officially ready to welcome in the new year!

For more design inspiration ideas, follow us on Pinterest!