One of the newer trends is decorating with a view towards the impacts your choices can make, not only on you but to the rest of the world as well.
These days, we can make choices that will not only look good, but also leave a smaller impact to our environment than our parents could ever hope to make.
We have so many GOOD choices that being environmentally conscious is not only easy, it practically has no trade off whatsoever! To bring a new look to your home that not only pleases the eye, but also saves the planet, simply keep these concepts in mind.
Choose Renewable Resources It takes a few centuries to grow a redwood or teak tree, but only a few years to grow bamboo.
And bamboo makes for a material that is strong, versatile and beautiful.
This exemplifies the first point.
There are plenty of materials that can be used in your decorations that give you options without the drawbacks some less environmentally conscious choices have.
Besides Bamboo, there is cork, which makes for wall and even floor surface that has real advantages.
Cork has a low impact on the environment because when you harvest it, you DON'T kill the tree - you just remove its outer bark.
It is also mold, insect, rot, fire and water resistant and it feels more comfortable than hard woods to walk on.
There are many sustainable ways to accent the floor too.
Environmentally friendly area rugs include modern area rugs, which come from agave plants, wool flokati rugs and bamboo rugs.
Wool flokati rugs often actually gain value as they age and, the only environmental impact they have comes from taking care of sheep.
Jute is especially good because it grows in months and can also be used to replace wood in many products today.
Reuse Materials Often, beautiful, intriguing and significant objects can be found already around your home or neighborhood.
Metal framework from furniture and equipment can be given a paint job and a new purpose on your wall as accent art.
Often beautifully carved wood is just sitting in old buildings waiting to be hauled off to the dump.
They too, can be touched up and remade into furniture or artwork.
Before throwing something out, consider whether it can be re-positioned, fixed up, or reshaped into something that sets a room apart.
Not only is this environmentally friendly, but it is also extremely cost-effective.
Often, you aren't buying anything - you are simply extending the usefulness of something you already own.
Recycle Many of today's materials are recycled.
Often, they are as good as their newly harvested counterparts.
Always consider recycled alternatives when looking at something new.
Energy Savers Often decorating choices involve power consumption.
It could be as simple as lighting fixtures or as complex as a home entertainment system, but in any case, you have choices.
Many of today's energy efficient lights put out illumination that is as attractive as incandescent bulbs and with electronics, saving energy is as simple as looking for the Energy Star Logo.
Whether you are redesigning your entire house or just your den, you can make choices that benefit not only you and your family, but also the world we live in.
Choose wisely!
These days, we can make choices that will not only look good, but also leave a smaller impact to our environment than our parents could ever hope to make.
We have so many GOOD choices that being environmentally conscious is not only easy, it practically has no trade off whatsoever! To bring a new look to your home that not only pleases the eye, but also saves the planet, simply keep these concepts in mind.
Choose Renewable Resources It takes a few centuries to grow a redwood or teak tree, but only a few years to grow bamboo.
And bamboo makes for a material that is strong, versatile and beautiful.
This exemplifies the first point.
There are plenty of materials that can be used in your decorations that give you options without the drawbacks some less environmentally conscious choices have.
Besides Bamboo, there is cork, which makes for wall and even floor surface that has real advantages.
Cork has a low impact on the environment because when you harvest it, you DON'T kill the tree - you just remove its outer bark.
It is also mold, insect, rot, fire and water resistant and it feels more comfortable than hard woods to walk on.
There are many sustainable ways to accent the floor too.
Environmentally friendly area rugs include modern area rugs, which come from agave plants, wool flokati rugs and bamboo rugs.
Wool flokati rugs often actually gain value as they age and, the only environmental impact they have comes from taking care of sheep.
Jute is especially good because it grows in months and can also be used to replace wood in many products today.
Reuse Materials Often, beautiful, intriguing and significant objects can be found already around your home or neighborhood.
Metal framework from furniture and equipment can be given a paint job and a new purpose on your wall as accent art.
Often beautifully carved wood is just sitting in old buildings waiting to be hauled off to the dump.
They too, can be touched up and remade into furniture or artwork.
Before throwing something out, consider whether it can be re-positioned, fixed up, or reshaped into something that sets a room apart.
Not only is this environmentally friendly, but it is also extremely cost-effective.
Often, you aren't buying anything - you are simply extending the usefulness of something you already own.
Recycle Many of today's materials are recycled.
Often, they are as good as their newly harvested counterparts.
Always consider recycled alternatives when looking at something new.
Energy Savers Often decorating choices involve power consumption.
It could be as simple as lighting fixtures or as complex as a home entertainment system, but in any case, you have choices.
Many of today's energy efficient lights put out illumination that is as attractive as incandescent bulbs and with electronics, saving energy is as simple as looking for the Energy Star Logo.
Whether you are redesigning your entire house or just your den, you can make choices that benefit not only you and your family, but also the world we live in.
Choose wisely!
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