Most of us consider our homes to be safe and healthy, but there are hidden dangers inside houses of which homeowners are often unaware. The air we breathe inside can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside of our homes, but there are many improvements to make a house healthier and decrease the pollutants in the air.

When making a healthy change to your home the first place to start is with the paint on your walls. The paint that is typically used within homes emits toxins into the air that can last years after being applied. These toxins contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with chemicals that can contribute to short-term and long-term health problems. Now, with newer EPA standards, paint manufacturers have developed low-VOC and zero-VOC paints consisting of significantly fewer levels of toxic chemicals, but the best choice of paint that is safest for your health and the environment is known as natural paint. These particular paints are made from raw natural ingredients, and are not known to cause allergies.

Some of the chemicals that get into our indoor air are unavoidable and over time, these chemicals can contribute to various health problems. Fortunately, there is a surprising solution for decreasing the pollutants in your home’s air–an indoor garden. An indoor garden with specific houseplants can purify the air by absorbing the common pollutants that harm indoor air quality. Some of these plants include Bamboo Palm, Dracaena Massangeana, Peace Lily and Golden Pothos, all of which can be found at your local garden center. Creating an indoor garden or even placing a few potted houseplants will improve your air quality and add a new aesthetic element to your home.

Waterfalls are not typically thought of as an interior feature in a home, but installing a water feature or choosing a smaller tabletop model is also a great way to purify indoor air. Water features help trap negative ions that attract dust and dirt, two of the most common causes of allergies. While a water feature might seem like an unexpected addition inside your home, you’ll enjoy the tranquility of running water and cleaner, healthier air.