The tendency of going green is far from over.  It will become even stronger in 2010 and in coming years, and your home is the place to start, if you haven’t already.

Going green is not easy. It is a comprehensive activity, but there are 4 principles that make a home green. These will transform your home, your reality, and your world, and are the place to start once you decide to implement this lifestyle:

1.    Water efficiency
Appliances and fixtures are crucial to establish if a home is green.  Green options include low flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets, which use only a fraction of the water old models use.  Equally, modern dishwashers and washing machines have evolved or use water more efficiently; there are even dry-clean models.

2.    Energy efficiency
Today, saving energy is not only important from an environmental point of view but also from the financial aspect.  Contrary to what you may think, it is fairly easy to remodel your home to make it energy efficient.  Simple things like replacing old windows, improving insulation, and changing from traditional light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones, go a long way in terms of energy savings.

3.    Resource efficiency
Getting more from less is a basic green principle.  Recycling is an essential activity.  Virtually everything can be recycled and reused to make kitchen cabinets and carpet tile, for example.  The tendency is moving towards using fast renewable natural products such as bamboo, which can be used to make beautiful floors and furniture pieces.

4.    Outdoor efficiency
No green home is such if its outdoor areas are not considered.  You cannot talk about green without taking into consideration the real green space: your home’s surroundings.  An old construction or a home that tends to be low energy efficient can be improved greatly by planting the right amount of shade trees and plants.  Landscaping experts say that a real green garden is composed of plants native to the region, and that the best way to arrange them is by their watering needs.

It pays to invest on a green home and to talk to a Seattle interior design expert who can guide you so that you make sound decisions that will mean savings and a better life for you, your family, and the world.

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