Green(Wood) Home Decorating Tips

First things first – you don’t have to compromise your personal aesthetic in order to decorate sustainably at home. The trick to designing green is to use natural materials and to reclaim what you’ve already got! Here are some quick tips to get your started:

In the Kitchen

If you’re looking to install new counter-tops, one option could be to choose natural surfaces (marble, granite, slate etc) as you are less likely to see these materials in a landfill. As an alternative to stone, check out some additional green counter-top options which include materials such as icestone, eco-top, paperstone and others.

If you are ready to replace your entire cabinet unit, you can either find reclaimed or salvaged woods or use sustainable woods such as bamboo or eucalyptus. Unlike most other hard woods that take decades to grow and mature, bamboo and eucalyptus are sustainable because they grow quickly and can therefore replace themselves quickly. If you’re looking for a simple face lift for your cabinets, one option could be to update only the fronts of your cabinet doors as this is a good money (and wood) saver.

In the Bathroom

The same rule of thumb can apply to the bathroom as far as cabinets, but some updates you can make immediately include installing water-saving toilets, shower heads and repair any leaky tub or sink faucets. Since the fall and winter seasons are upon us, to cut back on turning up your thermostat, buy a cozy, lush (and washable) area rug to protect your feet from the cold bathroom floor ( same goes for any carpet-free living spaces). Of course green personal care and cleaning products can easily swap out the standard fare. Click here for more sustainable ideas for your bathroom.

In the Bedroom

The two main areas of focus for today – furniture and window coverings. For furniture, if you’re looking to buy new, look for items made from reclaimed, Poly, or FSC certified wood. The Sierra Club has some great suggestions for energy saving window treatments to help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

For Pets

For those interested in creating a sustainable house for their favorite companions equipped with an eco-roof and reclaimed materials, check out these green dog-house tips.