For the homeowner who embraces sustainability, energy-efficiency and green living overall, there are plenty of eco-focused items that’ll make it easy for you to cross that family member, friend, neighbor or colleague off your gift list. Here are seven green gift ideas for the home.
Outdoor rugs
Soda bottles are used to make the vibrant, recycled, reversible rugs by Gaiam, a green living, fitness and sustainability company founded in Boulder, Colo. $68-$138, gaiam.com/outdoorrugs
Lamps
The quirky Mr. Diamond table lamp from Cantoni uses LED lights and the diamond shape to its advantage, creating less of a glare during the day or at night. The lamp comes in lime or black. $149, cantoni.com or the Cantoni Atlanta showroom (1011 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta).
Doormats
Natural and renewable fibers are used to craft doormats by companies such as New Jersey-based Entryways. The company’s hand-woven mats include whimsical and beautiful images created by artists. The mats are made out of coir, which comes from the husk of coconuts and is made in India, and eco-friendly dyes, according to the company. $39.99 for Handmade Collection mats that are 18-by-30 and three-quarters of an inch thick. Sold at local garden centers, hardware stores, gift shops and some Whole Foods Markets, and online at Amazon.com, Wayfair.com and Hayneedle.com.
Original, usable wall art
The BlingBox is a hanging jewelry box made of 100 percent sustainable amber bamboo. For the box top, select artwork created by the 100-plus artists (including Atlanta’s Sarah Watts and S.Eifrid) who work with DENY Designs, a Denver-based company, or use a personal image. $85-$399, denydesigns.com.
Pillows
Colorful saris are “upcycled” by refugee women into pillows with a global aesthetic made by SOMA Goods, based in Decatur. $60-$150, Verde Home in the Midtown West shopping district (999 Brady Ave., Suite 4, Atlanta), verdehomeinc.com.
Ornaments
Old flour sacks are paired with shells and other natural items to create Santa and mermaid-themed ornaments with a beachy feel. The ornaments are part of the Gallerie II Atlantis collection, and the company’s merchandise is sold at Peridot Buckhead and Peridot West in Atlanta (simplyperidot.com), the Chandlery in Roswell (chandlerygifts.com), and Parsons Gifts in Cumming and Alpharetta (parsonsgifts.com). $8 (suggested retail price).
Rain barrels
Capturing, storing and using rainwater can help people save money on water while keeping lawns and gardens lush. Cool-looking rain barrels are popping up more on the market. The Castilla Brownstone decorative rain barrel with planter (by Algreen) is made of molded plastic, but looks like ceramic. The rain barrel, which holds 50 gallons of water, also has a spigot and a screen guard to keep out debris. $79.97, the Home Depot, homedepot.com.
