Monday, July 20, 2009

Green is in

There are many ways to make your home eco chic.

Going green is more than a trend; it's a way of life. Organic décor is also the emerging trend in the year 2009. There are many ways to make every room in your home a little greener without spending much or detracting from your style.
One of the biggest contributors to the pollution is paint. Typical paint releases airborne chemicals knows as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Choose paints that no or low VOC paints. Paint is an economical way to give your home a fresh new look so why not make an earth friendly choice?
Thinking of buying new furniture? Make a smart selec tion. There are many companies producing furniture from sustainable materials or recycled resources in great designs. Go less toxic by choosing fur niture with natural finishes and organic materials. The best option is to recycle furniture and give it a makeover. You could also use reclaimed wood, but it could prove to be a little expensive to begin with.
Fabrics are also going green. One hundred percent cotton is a good choice, as is hemp, silk, linen and wool. Bamboo fabric is the latest addition to the list. Organic bamboo fabric is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass and looks like silk. Bamboo not only has antibacterial qualities but also is very quick growing and does not usually require the use of pesticides and herbicides to thrive. As a result, plantations can easily be kept organic and replanted yearly to replenish stocks.
Patterns inspired by nature are in demand. Bold florals, leaf designs, and bright colors are all available in natural fabrics so if you're thinking of new draperies, bedding, upholstery or pillows, choose from these green fabrics. Opt for organic rugs and carpets.
For eco friendly flooring options cork and bamboo flooring are excellent choices. They not look terrific but are also sustainable in the long run. Linoleum, not to be confused with vinyl flooring, is another good eco friendly choice.
If you want to buy new appliances, shop for the most energy efficient ones you can find. Switch to water saving toilets and showerheads. Check out the new, attractive energy saving light bulbs now available. Thinking about adding accessories? Discover art made from recycled items. There are wonderful Bamboo accessories that can be brought into your home décor. Look for exotic creations made of recycled newspaper art.
Environmental architect and interior designer Sujata Kodag says, "When one decides to go green, there are three ways. First one can choose for an eco-friendly design to begin with. For example, see that the design of your house allows natural light and is leaning towards heavy use of ACs. Secondly while selecting furniture, one should pay attention to material used. For example, luster paints should be avoided as they contain high VOCs, instead one should opt for water-based paints. And thirdly, one should actually make the house look green by adding some greenery to it."
So don't forget to add live plants to help filter the air and bring a whiff of freshness to your organic home décor.

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