Good interior designers know how to balance a room’s look and style with its intended function. Luckily, for those looking to remodel a room to make it more energy efficient and eco-friendly, there are plenty of green home improvement products and furniture options that work just as well as traditional materials and look great. Interior design projects use up raw materials in the form of paint, furniture and fixtures, the production of which has an inevitable effect on the environment. But with a bit of research you can find environmentally healthier alternatives.
Use wood alternatives
Alternatives to traditional wood furniture, like bamboo, are growing in popularity. Bamboo not only looks great, but is also one of the most easily renewable natural resources we have, and it’s biodegradable.
Non-toxic paint
There are paint brands available that don’t contain solvents or other harmful toxins. They are biodegradable and work just as effectively as regular paint brands.
Buy local wood
If you need to by wood for flooring or structures, go with companies that cut wood from local forests. This helps cut down on the carbon emissions caused by long-distance transport. Look for the FSC symbol on the company you purchase wood from. This symbol stands for Forestry Stewardship Council and it ensures that the certified company is not contributing to deforestation.
Lights and appliances
Replace fluorescent lights with new LED light fixtures. They give rooms a much nicer aesthetic and they’re a great way to cut back on energy consumption without having to turn lights off entirely. Shop around for energy-efficient electrical appliances as well.
Glass and Metal
Glass and metal are two of the most recyclable materials, since the core material maintains its original quality despite multiple reusing. So next time you go shopping for metal or glass fixtures or furniture, buy recycled.
When getting ready for a remodeling project, make sure to do some research into product manufactures. Many claim to be green businesses only to cash-in on the growing demand for green products, but are in fact not certified by legitimate environmental groups.
