At the basis of the art of interior design is our desire for living spaces that harmonize practicality and style. A room must look good and serve its function well. But there is a third consideration that has, in recent years, come to the forefront of discussions on interior design: what about the environment?

Fortunately, caring for the environment and designing comfortable and stylish interiors are not incompatible goals. Yes, interior decorating requires us to use up raw materials in the form of furniture, fixtures, appliances and fittings, and this has an inevitable impact on the environment somewhere down the consumption chain. But armed with some knowledge, it is easy to find eco-friendly (and stylish) alternatives to traditional interior design materials and appliances.

1. When repainting a room, use paints that don’t contain solvents. These eco-friendly paint brands are a healthier alternative to conventional paint because they don’t release environmentally harmful toxins and they prove as effective as regular paint.

2. When purchasing wood products (either for flooring or building structures) buy wood cut from local forests so that you don’t contribute to the carbon emissions caused by long-distance transportation. Look that the wood you buy has the FSC symbol on it. This stands for Forestry Stewardship Council, a non-profit organization that lets you know which wood companies are not contributing to global deforestation.

3. Install energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances. This has been one of the most popular green interior design trends along with the use of biodegradable products and building materials. Replacing old fluorescent light bulbs with new LED lights is a common green interior design practice. Look for energy-efficient refrigerators and other appliances.

4. Consider alternative to traditional wood furniture. Bamboo shelves and other such products are great for offices and other work spaces.

5. Recycle and use recycled glass and metal products. These two core materials are easy to recycle and they retain their quality despite going through the production cycle multiple times. Using recycled glass and metal products reduces the need for natural resources and saves on energy that would otherwise be needed to create the products from scratch.

And remember that when shopping for materials for an interior design project, make sure that you buy from trusted environmentally companies. So much attention has been given to the issue of global warming that there are companies out there who are looking to make a buck by simply labeling their products green without meeting the required standards. Make sure to do your research.

For more tips on “green” interior design or when shopping for beds in San Diego, check out http://www.jeromes.com

Please Note... All links within articles are placed by their author-owners and not by this blog.Products with in those links may or may not be the best in the world.If it sounds too good to be true it could be a scam.Articles are posted for their info,ideas and or entertainment value only.

Powered By WP Footer

With all the problems we hear about the environment and the fears for global catastrophe because of its deterioration, the people’s consciousness about being eco friendly is increasingly being highlighted. From trying to recycle to using more biodegradable products to building eco friendly homes, what we call the green home, everyone is trying to do his or her part in saving the planet. It is no surprise then that many campaigns among several segments are increasingly becoming popular – what is called the green movement is now not only limited to protecting the forests and vegetation but also to every other aspect that can contribute to keeping the ecological balance and making this world a healthier place to live in.

 Apparently, building a green home has some certification requirements as stated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). There are several products that are now being marketed that consumers buy as “green products.” A product must be eco-labeled before it can be considered a certified green product. You can check online if the product you are buying is certified and that you are not being “greenwashed.”

 From materials for home building to the smallest home accessories, you can find environmentally friendly options to make your home a green home. For example, you can opt to buy organic sheets for the bedroom. Such sheets are made of organic cotton, meaning the cotton used for the production of the fabric was not treated with pesticides or environmentally harmful dyes and other chemicals. There are also other sheets and curtains that are made up of 100 percent recyclable materials and some are made from plant-derived components. All of which are nontoxic and noncarcinogenic. There is also what is called the phosphate-free laundry wash, which is made from organic plants and is also biodegradable. Building a green living space also means conserving water and energy resources. You can start with a energy-saving lighting system and energy-saving appliances. The cooling, water-heating, and the lighting systems of a home must all be energy-efficient. A water-conserving irrigation system may also be installed; for example, a house could have a system to collect and store rainwater. The house must also be open to natural daylight, which means reduced energy consumption and a structure that would allow better home ventilation. As for building the house itself, naturally renewable resources and raw materials such as bamboo must be utilized. There are also other materials made up of recycled constituents, like kitchen tiles, that are available and these should be prioritized. Outside the home, landscaping can play a big part in making your home environmentally friendly. If the space allows it, plant drought-tolerant plants that do not require being constantly watered, cover your screen windows with vines, and, if possible, have large canopy trees around the house.

 Thus, from raw materials in home building to the smallest accessories and appliances inside the house, we can make our contribution in trying to save the environment. It does not take much, and the smallest act of concern will contribute a lot in the grand scheme of things.

For a various selection of eco friendly products to make your home green, please visit the fastest growing online shopping mall MerchantLand.com We offer quality products at discount prices everyday. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Article Source

Please Note... All links within articles are placed by their author-owners and not by this blog.Products with in those links may or may not be the best in the world.If it sounds too good to be true it could be a scam.Articles are posted for their info,ideas and or entertainment value only.

Powered By WP Footer