A look at some of the aspects
that need to be kept in mind for eco-friendly home décor
A house does not have to remind
you of living in the great outdoors. Achieving a stylish design is easy. Excuses
of price of availability are no longer valid when it comes to creating ‘green’ décor
in your home. There are many products available at a range of prices. After you
have settled on a design, the next choice you have to make is whether to buy
new or used furniture. Flooring and accessories.
The ‘new’ environmentally
conscious furniture and accessories can be made of existing materials and
products that have outlived their initial purpose or from plants that serve
other uses. One product becomes something else, giving it new life. Everything to
complete a room is available in an “upcycled” form.
Flooring options
Carpets and area rugs are basic
components of any design plan. They can add warmth and division of space to a
room. Area rugs made from recycled plastic bottles, straws or other everyday
plastic products can be purchased for prices that are competitive with standard
area rugs.
Wall-to-wall carpeting made
from recycled material can also be purchased. Softness and durability are not
sacrificed in these products. If you aren’t sure about the feel of these
carpets, try visiting a showroom to experience them for yourself before
committing to the purchase.
Other flooring options include
bamboo, cork, ceramic and glass waste tiles, and rubber flooring made from
spent tires as alternatives to hardwood flooring. These options are either made
from sustainable materials or reused materials.
Some of the options available
for flooring are the same choices for furniture. In addition, fabric for
furniture, cushions and pillows made of based or vegetable-based inks are
smarter green choices.
Low-VOC paints
A room filled with beautiful
eco-conscious flooring and furniture will fit perfectly within walls painted
with your favourite low-VOC paint. Volatile organic compounds are gases emitted
by certain chemicals in paints and other household products. These can have
damaging health effects. The smell of a freshly painted room or the new smell
of furniture is from VOCs being released into the air. Spending a little more
money for low-VOC paint that is clay, mineral pigment or milk casein-based is
worth the health of your family and their exposure to harsh chemicals. Many non-toxic
paints are on the market today.
Window treatments also enhance
the design of a room. Although natural light helps a keep utility costs down,
window treatments can be used to regulate light and block cold from seeping
into a room. Ecofriendly window treatments are made from various materials,
including reeds, grasses, natural fabrics, paper and bamboo.
Earth-friendly Lighting
Earth-friendly lighting
solutions from reclaimed wood to coral-like design, that follow make the most
of nature’s bounty. The modern design of the lamps with black shades is in
trend.
The modern trend is to use LED
lights which consumes less energy and have better light lumens. Also they are
cool in temperature which also saves in the air-conditioning. LED light allows
you to choose different kelvin temperatures which can give you desired colours.
Eco-friendly gadgets
In bathrooms, kitchens and
laundries you should use water saving devices such as basin mixers, WC cisterns
etc. which save water by 30% in comparison to the normal fixtures.
Solar panels
You should definitely use solar
panels system to save energy in any building type. Solar panel systems are more
advanced and efficient now. Solar panel systems today are used to heat water,
recharge your invertors etc. which save lot of energy.
The best way to create an
ecofriendly room is to consider the environmental impact as you make choices on
each and every element. Remember that this can also mean choosing to acquire
supplies locally because this reduces the use of fossil fuels required in
transportation.
