If FunCycled had a signature color (other than my favorite—teal!), it might just be green. There is a reason we find ourselves returning to this palette time and time again; the color green possesses so much resilience, depth, and vitality while still offering a sense of grounding and serenity. Beyond the aesthetic, green embodies the richness of the earth and serves as a constant reminder of our responsibility in stewarding what we have and where we live.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at FunCycled. We believe you can achieve high-end, beautiful design while honoring the planet. This Earth Month, we’re taking “going green” literally. We’re diving into some of our favorite sustainable green kitchen trends, showcasing the transformative power of a fresh coat of paint on existing cabinetry, and sharing our top eco-friendly swaps to help you curate a kitchen that looks good and does good.

From Evergreen to Sage: Our Favorite Green Kitchen Transformations

The most sustainable kitchen is often the one you already have. By refinishing existing cabinets rather than sending them to a landfill, we reduce waste and give high-quality wood a second life. Here are a few of our favorite “green” transformations from the FunCycled archives:

High-Drama Depth: Black Evergreen by Behr & Tarrytown Green

For those who love a moody, sophisticated look, Black Evergreen by Behr and Tarrytown Green by Benjamin Moore are absolute showstoppers. These deep tones offer incredible resilience and a sense of history. They anchor a room, making even the oldest cabinets feel modern and architectural.

This is Tarrytown Green:

This is Black Evergreen

This is Black Evergreen

Classic Sophistication: Lafayette Green & Cedar Mountains

If you want a color that feels like a walk through the woods, Lafayette Green and Cedar Mountains (both by Benjamin Moore) provide that perfect balance of vitality and calm. These shades play beautifully with natural wood tones and brass hardware, grounding the kitchen in organic beauty.

This is Lafayette Green

This is Cedar Mountains

Curating a Conscious Kitchen: Our Eco-Friendly Essentials

Once the cabinets are painted, the next step in embracing sustainable green kitchen trends is looking at the products we use every day. We’ve curated a list of our favorite earth-honoring picks to help you finish the look.

Sustainable Surfaces: Earth-Honoring Tile & Backsplash

When updating your backsplash, look for recycled glass tiles or handmade ceramics. These options reduce the carbon footprint of your remodel while adding unique, artisanal texture to your walls.

For a polished and uniform look, ceramic or porcelain offerings work really well. Be sure to check for how the materials are sourced. I like this one below. It is not only really elevated, it is GREENGUARD Gold Certified which means it meets low VOC standards and offers a healthier air quality in your home.

These are beautiful hand-made tiles made from clay in Morrocco. This is a gorgeous blue, but this company offers a variety of colors.

Illuminating Change: Ethical Lighting Solutions

Lighting is the jewelry of the kitchen. We love sourcing fixtures made from recycled metals or sustainable woven materials like rattan and bamboo. It’s a bright way to stay eco-conscious.

This beautiful woven pendant is great for over an island or round table in your kitchen. I love the natural rattan material on display.

This is another great pendant option. Constructed from textured and recycled bamboo, the simple lines of this pendant work really well for minimalist, MCM, or even modern farmhouse designs.

The Daily Swap: Sustainable Staples & Storage

True stewardship happens in the small moments. Swap out containers made with high toxin plastics for glass storage sets or recycled materials sourced from non-toxic & organic materials. and trade worn-out plastic tools for bamboo or FSC-certified wood cooking utensils.

I really love these storage options from Caraway Home.

These teak utensils are really functional and eco-friendly.

For many food items, wooden cutting boards are a great option. I like these sourced from solid wood and natural materials.

How to Start Your “Green” Journey Today

Creating a sustainable home doesn’t have to happen overnight. If you are feeling inspired this Earth Month, here is how we recommend you begin:

1. Start Small with the Basics: You don’t need a full demo to make a difference. Start by swapping out your daily staples, such as food storage or cooking utensils. These small changes add up to a big impact over time.
2. Brighten Up with Efficiency: Lighting is one of the easiest ways to “go green” technically. Swap out old, energy-draining bulbs for high-efficiency LEDs that mimic natural light. Not only does this reduce your energy consumption, but it also perfectly highlights the rich undertones of colors like Black Evergreen or Lafayette Green.
3. Refresh Instead of Replace: Consider a kitchen refresh by using what you already have. By painting your existing cabinets and updating elements like lighting or backsplashes with materials that honor the earth, you reduce waste while creating a space that feels brand new.

At FunCycled, we believe your home should be a reflection of your values. Let’s make this year the year your kitchen truly “goes green.”

You can shop all of our Sustainable Kitchen Finds by clicking the image and link below!

Ready to Upcylce Your Kitchen Cabinets?

There is no need to spend $50k (or more) on new cabinets when your current ones may only need a refresh with custom professional kitchen cabinet painting.

Wondering if you should get new kitchen cabinets or paint your existing? Check out our Painting Vs Replacing Calculator.

Serving Albany County, Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, Columbia County, and Schenectady Country (any home up to an hour from Troy, NY).

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

If you would like to know a more personalized estimate, follow these three easy steps to getting your FREE QUOTE today! If you are even remotely considering a kitchen refresh, I encourage you to CONTACT US today!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend products I genuinely love and trust.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Because home is where peace begins.

At FunCycled, we believe that the spaces we inhabit should reflect the beauty of the world we strive to protect. As we stand on the doorstep of Earth Month, we aren’t just looking at a calendar of “green” tips; we are looking at the very foundation of why this company exists. Design is more than aesthetics; it is an act of stewardship. By choosing to see the potential in the “already-owned,” we honor the resources of our planet and the stories embedded in our homes. And when we build this into our community, we are delighted!

Below, let’s take a look at the importance of Earth Month and also the value of partnering with a like-minded and mission-inspiring event with a local organization, Justice for Orphans, hosting an amazing fundraiser, just in time for Earth Month! To kick things off, I am sharing one of my personal favorites: a repurposed dresser with custom paint.

Good design isn’t about what you can buy; it’s about how well you can steward what has already been given to the earth and your home.

A Legacy of Stewardship: Our Earth Month History

Over the years, our commitment to the environment has grown from a personal passion into a community-wide movement. From hosting high-energy upcycling contests to shining a spotlight on local heroes like Habitat for Humanity, FunCycled has always aimed to be a champion for sustainable living. We’ve spent years demystifying the “eco-friendly” label, proving through our past blog posts and projects that choosing sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing style. It actually means elevating it.

2026 Spotlight: The ReFurnishings x JFO Collaboration

This year, we are thrilled to announce our role as the Official Sustainability and Design Partner for a truly special collaboration with ReFurnishings Second Hand Store . We are joining forces for a furniture flipping contest that culminates in a high-impact auction to benefit Justice for Orphans (JFO). This partnership is a perfect circle of restoration: we are refreshing furniture to provide a future for children in need. 

Thrift & Flip Event for JFO: What it is and Why We Love It

Thrift & Flip is a high-energy fundraising event where local creatives transform donated furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces to support the vital work of Justice for Orphans (JFO). Founded in 2012 by adoptive and foster moms, JFO is a movement of advocacy and action dedicated to providing tangible support for children in the foster care system and the global orphan crisis.

We truly believe in this mission. Nothing inspires us more than seeing a community using its unique talents to support Justice for Orphans. We aren’t just the design partners for this event; we are participants who believe deeply in this mission. We’re already mid-transformation on a “flip” of our own, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

HOW to HELP: Your Contribution Matters

Great things happen when we work together. Share your project and help us grow our collective impact.

#1 FLIP SOMETHING & SHARE IT: We want to see your creativity in action! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time flipper, we invite you to share your project with us! When you post your a project, be sure to tag both @funcycled and @justicefororphans and use these helpful hashtags #FunCycledThriftFlip #JFOThriftFlip #JusticeForOrphans.

**for those of you who are participating in the challenge, please be sure to tag us, and we will share your project pics!

We’re in the trenches with you. Nothing inspires us more than seeing a community using its unique talents to support Justice for Orphans. We aren’t just the design partners for this event; we are participants who believe deeply in this mission. We’re already mid-transformation on a “flip” of our own, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

#2 ATTEND THE EVENT: Join us on Friday, April 24, from 6:00–8:30 PM at The Wire in Coxsackie, NY. It will be a fun evening of hors’ d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and the exciting live auction of all the transformed pieces. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased HERE!

#3 SHARE ABOUT THE EVENT: Don’t forget to invite a friend to join you at the fundraiser! And whether you can make it or not, definitely share about it on your social media or sending this email to a friend! The more, the merrier!

#4 BID ON A FLIPPED PROJECT: At the event, ALL of the flipped projects will be up for auction, including an original from us at FunCycled.

Time to Make a Difference

This high-energy furniture auction supporting Justice for Orphans, a movement founded by adoptive and foster moms to provide tangible relief to vulnerable children.

Learn More & Get Your Tickets Here!

Sustainable Design for Your Home

While we love a good DIY flip, stewardship also happens on a professional scale. Our signature Kitchen Facelifts are the ultimate example of this; by refinishing your existing high-quality cabinetry instead of sending it to a landfill, we drastically reduce the environmental footprint of a remodel. Whether through a kitchen refresh or a full-room design consultation, we help you make choices that are built to last, not just for a season, but for a lifetime of conscious living.

We would love to provide you a FREE KITCHEN CABINET PAINTING QUOTE! Contact Us Today!

Final Thoughts: Choosing to Honor & Embracing Stewardship

Thank you all for following along! I hope you are encouraged to consider finding ways to honor Earth Day both in this month ahead but also all year long. Stewarding what we have and the planet reap so many benefits to us! Please consider joining up with the Thrift & Flip Event either as a flipper or to attend the auction and final fundraising event.

If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend products I genuinely love and trust.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Because home is where peace begins.

Sustainable living is NOT beyond your reach! For all of us at FunCycled, Earth Day is more that just a date on the calendar. This day serves as a reminder to celebrate our ongoing commitment to thoughtful, sustainable design. Whether it’s repurposing vintage furniture, choosing eco-friendly finishes, or giving kitchen cabinets new life with a fresh coat of paint, we believe great design can (and should) be kind to the planet.

In the spirit of Earth Day, we’re also highlighting a few local businesses in Upstate New York that share our passion for sustainability. These resources are perfect for homeowners looking to make greener choices in their own spaces—because building a more beautiful home shouldn’t come at the earth’s expense. 🌿

How FunCycled Incorporates a Sustainable Approach

You might be wondering just exactly how we, an interior design company, use a green approach and keep sustainability at the forefront. First, much of our work comes through repurposing, giving homeowners another option beyond just buying new. Second, we seek to incorporate repurposed items and eco-conscious products into our designs. And, finally, we desire to promote and support other local businesses who share in the same passion – upholding sustainability and being conscious of their impact.

Repurposing through Kitchen Cabinet Painting Services

To learn more about our Kitchen Cabinet Painting Services, I encourage you to visit our page and to browse our website to see lots of great makeovers – all done by repurposing kitchen cabinets rather than throwing out and buying new!

To learn more about refreshing your kitchen by painting your cabinets, click the link below

Furniture Repurposing

This practice is often incorporated into our Interior Design Services. When we design a space, we often find that people have a special item of furniture that they would love to keep in the space. so we gladly work that item into the design of the room.

This dresser that was outdated and not being used, but it held sentimental value for our client. So we were excited to give it new life and refresh it with a coat of paint. Rather than using it as a dresser, we decided to repurpose it for use as a TV console for our client’s living room design. Not only did we give this dresser new life, we were able to save money for our clients and now have given them a piece of furniture that will last for years! I love that!

Below, you can see the dresser in its new home, all refreshed in the living room. To read the whole living room transformation, click the link below.

FunCycled’s Picks for Sourcing Products for Repurposing

Up-stitch

Up-stitch is a local, non-profit organization and store. Their mission focuses on reducing waste by reusing fabric, yarn, and other sewing & needlework materials, through donations, and selling them to the community at reduced rate. This is a great option if you want to make or embellish pillow covers or window treatments for your next design. You can also see this wreath, made from upcycled thread spools, perfect for the holiday season!

We also love that Up-stitch also has a give back program, so many of the items that are made can then be donated to various charitable causes. This blanket was crocheted by a volunteer from donated materials and then gifted to St. Peter’s Hospital. What a beautiful way to pay all of this forward!

Here’s a little piece of advice from the founders of Upstitch as you endeavor to be eco-conscious in your decisions:

Upcycling is important for the sustainability of our planet, but it’s also super fun and creative! Challenge yourself to use upcycled materials in your next project, it will elevate the final product AND reduce waste!

– Founders of upstitch

Habitat for Humanity of the Capital District

Although founded in 1988; Habitat for Humanity of the Capital District operated its local ReStore in 2005, and has been in operation since. The ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell building materials, appliances, new and gently used furniture, and home accessories at a fraction of the retail price. Our program prevents tons of home improvement items from ending up in the landfill and gives them another life! Proceeds from the ReStore support Habitat’s mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership in the Capital District.

We love the mission of HFHCD and their care for our earth by giving new purpose to items. Plus we love that they help provide housing for those

Below is an upcycled lamp that my son made from a lamp we purchased at the ReStore and added our own creative twist with some Legos. Allowing yourself the opportunity to reimagine is such a beautiful thing!

Home Decor & Lifestyle Needs

Bluebird Home

Specializing in unique finds for the home & gifts. They carry everything from handmade and fair-trade jewelry to body care, unique vintage pieces, handmade greetings cards and so much more. We love that Bluebird offers older items the opportunity to be given new life and hits the creative mark with their custom designed and artistic selections. Definitely give them a visit!

Sand Lake Merchant

A great market and gift shop that is home to a number of local artisans who focus on repurposing and using sustainable or reclaimed materials. The makers who call Sand Lake Merchant home are a curated collection of goods for home decor, gifts, lifestyle, and health. I would definitely check them out!

We also have curated some products that you can find online through my Amazon Storefront. Click the link below to shop eco-friendly furniture & products for your home!

Homeowner’s Resource: Local Businesses with Sustainability in Mind

Nature’s Way Pest Control

As you would conclude, Nature’s Way offers pest control services in the Capital Region. In addition to some traditional methods, their services include botanically based and more natural solutions for pest control. We value their commitment to using natural products and some non-toxic alternatives.

Kasselman Solar

Finding alternate energy solutions is such an important initiative in stewarding our planet. One great solution is adding solar panels to your home. Kasselman Solar serves the Capital Region with solar panel and clean energy options. We love this part of their mission: “There is no Planet B, and we see doing our part to preserve Earth as a duty.”

Eco Sealcoating

Eco Sealcoating provides alternative solutions for asphalt and paving needs. Their eco-conscious efforts are dedicated to maintaining safety for their clients and the planet. We appreciate this commitment to research and upholding practices for a positive environmental impact.

Sustainable Living – Incorporate Plants

Adding plants to ANY and ALL designs is a great way to incorporate eco-conscious practices into your daily life. Plants are good for absorbing pollutants and improving air quality. Plus, this practice also helps reinforce biodiversity. Here are some local nurseries to consider:

Hewitt’s Garden Centers – we love ours here in East Greenbush!

George’s Nursery

Final Thoughts

I hope you have found these tips and resources helpful as you consider incorporating a sustainable approach to your home and daily living. If you are struggling to know where to begin, please reach out to us! Our 1 Hour Design Consultation is a great way to assess the needs for your kitchen or any other project you may have. Appointments can be in-person or virtual.

Ready to start?

Book YOUR 1 Hour Design Consultation

Let’s work together

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.