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Coldwell Banker: Moving Toward a Greener Tomorrow!
Decorating Eco-Style - Add Some Green to Your Home Décor
As the earth’s temperature rises and our dependence on nonrenewable energy increases, it’s important that we take the necessary steps to protect our environment. Luckily, we can help mother earth by making informed decisions about the items we choose for our homes.
The right home décor can be both beautiful and eco-friendly. When it comes time to redecorate or furnish your home, think about what you already have that can be reused. Other tips to consider:
Home Furnishings
• Simplify your furniture purchases by selecting sustainable materials such as ecowheat, ecosunflower, and wicker, which eliminate the need for tree harvesting. Bamboo and furnishings made from recycled materials are great alternatives to wood, but if it’s wood you crave, make sure that your products are certified by a reputable organization like the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). The FSC is an internationally recognized nonprofit that promotes responsible management of the earth’s forests. An FSC certification assures that your product was made efficiently.
• When furnishing your home office, consider computer monitors, keyboards and “mice” made from materials other than plastics such as bamboo.
• If you already have wood floors, use a stain that is non-toxic and environmentally safe. Alternative materials like natural linoleum, recycled glass, porcelain tiles, bamboo, and cork are great solutions for healthy floors. Cork is as easy to assemble and lay down as carpet. Still, if your feet relish the plush environment of carpet, use modular carpet tiles instead of traditional wall-to-wall. It’s the better eco-friendly option because of its mobility. If a spill occurs, for example, an individual carpet tile can be washed, recycled, or replaced.
• Granite countertops are lovely but take a lot of energy to produce because they’re quarried. Countertops made of glass are just as attractive and require less energy to produce. Research countertop materials and note their energy expenditure, toxicity, durability, and biodegradable content to help you select a countertop that meets your needs. The Green Home Guide (www.greenhomeguide.com) provides details about popular countertop materials.
Home Décor
• Candles enhance the ambiance of any room, but the wrong candles can pollute your home, so choose soy. They burn cleaner and purer than toxic paraffin candles.
• According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is 2-10 times more hazardous than outdoor air. The EPA also reports that indoor air quality is the number one health problem in the United States. To improve air quality, use eco-safe or organic paint that is free of solvents. The chemicals emoted from traditional latex paint last as long as the paint is on the wall. Wallpaper is a good alternative. Look for wallpaper that is made out of sustainable materials like fiber and sea grass.
• Window treatments add beauty and character to your home. Untreated wood blinds are more eco-friendly than treated shades and draperies. Purchasing treatments made from bamboo, grasses, reeds, and palms are an even better option because these materials are abundant and grow rapidly. Patterns for all personalities and styles are now available.
• Ornamental items like bowls and pillows add a special touch to otherwise plain furniture. Choose decorative pieces that are made from recycled materials. Biodegradable items are beautiful and can often serve as great conversation pieces. Nonprofit companies like the S.P.I.R.A.L. Foundation make silver place mats that are woven from recycled plastic wrappers.
If you have been inspired to incorporate “green” elements into your home, think about doing some recycling of your own. Try using old skirts as window treatments or turn old terrycloth towels into rugs!
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