Easy Changes to Create an Eco-Friendly Home

Environmental stewardship should start at home. Don’t worry, going green doesn’t mean you have to live in a solar and wind powered hut made from straw and mud. You can introduce some simple changes to green up your home and still maintain your sense of style.

Are you still living with 15-year-old dingy, energy-guzzling kitchen appliances? If you are considering a positive change dress up your kitchen with brand new stainless appliances. You’ll not only have a stylish, updated kitchen you’ll also benefit from reduced energy consumption resulting in substantial annual savings on your electricity bill. When shopping for new appliances look for the ones sporting the “Energy Star” logo. These efficient appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than those old dinosaurs.

If you can’t afford to change out all of your appliances at one time start with the refrigerator. It is the biggest kitchen energy consumer. Take care of that one appliance and you can save $40 to $100 per year and it will spiff up your kitchen. Plus you'll reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win-win-win proposition. You can then replace the other appliances as your budget allows.

Here's some good news. Incorporating furniture pieces made from reclaimed wood and architectural salvage is a huge design trend and a great way to conserve the planet’s resources. The look is eclectic, hip and green. It works in a rustic cabin setting, a modern city loft and in traditional spaces as well.

Hang a collection of vintage windows from the ceiling to create a funky room divider. Recycle old doors into headboards, work surfaces and table tops. If you know a skilled woodworker commission a furniture piece made from reclaimed lumber.

You can also recycle antique floorboards by reusing them in your own home. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Mix things up by using architectural columns, corbels and moldings along side modern acrylic furniture pieces. The design possibilities are endless and super stylish.

If you're fortunate enough to remodel your home in the near future insist on using organic materials to help the environment and make your home a beautiful and healthy place for your family. With a bit of research you can put together a green remodeling plan that may not cost much more than a traditional remodel.

Instead of tearing out the old ones and purchasing entirely new cabinets simply reface the ones you have. Better yet, stain or paint them with low or non VOC products. If you need additional kitchen storage look for salvaged cabinets that match the existing door fronts.

Virtually any construction materials you can think of have an environmentally-friendly counterpart, such as roofing, carpeting, flooring, framing materials, siding, insulation, paint, etc. Contact a green contractor to explore the options that make sense for your home and family. The renovation budget might be a bit higher but the overall positive impact is worth the extra investment.

Check with state and federal programs to learn about energy tax credits and rebates in effect that can help defray the cost of an energy efficient remodel. Everything from solar and wind systems to energy efficient windows may qualify.

Thinking about new countertops? Why not use polished concrete, bamboo or recycled pressed paper. They are extremely durable, stylish and green. Do a little research to determine which one best fits your lifestyle, budget and will keep you happy and healthy.

If you like concrete counters use a mix made from an eco-friendly aggregate composed of recycled waste materials. Bamboo is a sustainable, fast-growing wood. By using it you’ll be saving old growth forests. Pressed paper countertops consist of 100 percent recycled post-consumer cardboard and paper. They’re tough as steel and absorb less water than natural stone surfaces like granite or marble.

Use sustainable organic fabrics throughout your home. Green fabrics limit the use of chemicals in the dying and manufacturing processes reducing the amount of toxic gasses in your home environment. The term sustainable includes organically grown cotton or fiber sources like bamboo and hemp. Eco fabrics are also produced from recycled materials from post consumer textile waste that come in a variety of stylish textures and trendy colors.

A number of manufacturers are contributing to the green movement with furniture lines featuring environmental fabrics, construction and cushion materials made from recycled plastic soda bottles. You can even purchase an green bed mattress. On a smaller scale, look for organic versions of dishtowels, throw rugs, pillows, bedding, curtains, shower curtains and bath towels.

Consider a new perspective when it comes to window coverings. You can create comfortable living spaces with energy efficient window treatments that regulate the inside temperature, reduce harmful UV rays and insulate your windows. Choose from a variety of curtains, shades, blinds or shutters to create texture and character for your home.

The most effective options include solar shades, thermal curtains and cellular blinds. These types of window coverings can reduce your energy consumption by preventing heating and cooling loss. Even inexpensive insulated roller shades can equate to monthly energy savings.

As you search for environmentally-conscious home accessories, zero in on items labeled “biodegradable”, “recycled”, “organic”, “post-consumer waste” and “sustainable”. These types of accessories are easier to find than you may think. More and more companies are including these items in their home accessory lines.

Choose from vintage and new treasures to add that finishing touch to your newly minted environmentally-friendly home. Sustainable accessories such as wine bottle tumblers, candles and vases, baskets crafted from newsprint and Warhol-esque pendant lights made from upcycled soup cans.

Don't forget to hit up garage sales, resale shops and flea markets. You can turn one man’s trash into your repurposed treasure. It's amazing what you can find and the prices are typically cheap. All it takes is a little elbow grease to turn a cast aside into a real gem.