Green, green and more green! If you think that going green and being environmentally friendly in the home is a lot of hype about a short lived craze then think again.
With the media still feasting on the effects of the global economic crisis and the threats surrounding climate change going green and moving towards more eco friendly, sustainable homes and lifestyles is not simply a luxury fad for the rich and famous.
So what does it really mean to decorate your home or even office in eco friendly style and what are some of the benefits?
First and foremost, you need to educate yourself and become aware of the important issues and the options that are available. Think about using less non-renewable resources and that will also be less taxing on energy and water then you will be decorating with sustainability in mind and in many cases contrary to what you may believe your green design may be more affordable than you think.
I am sure many of you would like to think of yourself as having altruistic motives but let’s face it, who doesn’t want better health for themselves and if you didn’t already know reporting your eco-friendly improvements on your annual taxes could get you some benefits. Talk to your tax adviser for more information about any tax breaks related to eco-friendly choices in the home.
If you do have altruistic motives then the most obvious and greatest benefit after your own health and wellbeing is of course the bigger picture benefit to the environment and the global population. So let’s act local and think global and get on with our decorating project.
If you do have budget constraints then Shabby Chic may be the style for you. You don’t have to buy everything new with the Salvation Army and Goodwill offering old favorites at affordable prices and you will be surprised at what a can of eco friendly paint can do for your pre-loved furniture. Another option is the local wood salvage yards where you can buy reclaimed lumber to make your own furniture.
If you are concerned that you will have to wade through a quagmire of seemingly green friendly stores to find what you are looking for contact your local office of the U.S. Green Building Council to find the locations of the green stores in your area.
If health and wellbeing is your number one priority then you need to be considering the materials used in your home including floor coverings because carpet can off-gas formaldehyde which has even been attributed as a cause of cancer. There are safer options for floor covering with natural area rugs made from sisal, wool, jute, seagrass and hemp that provide very affordable options.
For those on more of a champagne style of decorating budget you will find just about anything and everything you want from eco friendly designer lighting to designer flooring. Persian rugs can be a great eco friendly choice for flooring as many of the original and traditional rugs are made from natural fibers and colored with natural vegetable dyes.
Decorating in eco friendly style can make a positive difference for you and the environment!
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