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.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Green interior design takes advantage of recyclable materials, furnishings, and leftovers, to create a one in a million space.  This style uses long-lasting and non-toxic materials, as well as renewable energy sources.  When you redecorate your home with new materials every five years that is the opposite from green interior design.

The heart of green interior design is to restore and reuse everything that’s possible.  Today, there is a great variety of green floor options that allow you to refinish, sand, or paint without employing toxic materials.  The main materials employed in green interior design are cork, bamboo, and eucalyptus, because no destruction occurs when taking them from nature.  In the same way, there are woods that have been approved and certified by environmental groups as appropriate for construction and decoration because they do not carry the devastation of millenary forests.

Green interior design cares to the core.  It even pays attention to what glues and finishes are eco-friendly, since these commonly contain toxic synthetic resins that are extremely harmful.  Green design is all about non-toxic cleaners, polishes, finishes, refinishing, and adhesive products, resulting in better air quality and a healthier environment at home.

The idea behind going green is to use as few chemicals as possible in everything we use and in our surroundings, while living in harmony and taking advantage of the green exterior.  So it is important to use a lot of glass windows, doors, and skylights to let in natural light, helping to lower energy consumption and to avoid moisture accumulation.

Nothing is more in today than concrete floors.  They are used in different colors, textures, polishes, and patterns, and are not harmful to your health because they are free from glues and finishes with chemicals.  Green kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces also showcase concrete counter tops that give a natural look and appear thoroughly modern.

Now there’s the option of recycled glass.  It is very beautiful and can be found in many colors and forms to match your space and necessities.

Another important aspect of selecting a green design is in the appliances you choose.  Besides budget, it is necessary to think about their functionality, style and energy efficiency.  Select the ones that use less water, and recycle all your old appliances correctly.  Ask for advice if necessary.

Green home designs provide for lots of ceiling and wall eco-friendly insulation throughout the entire house, turning your home into an energy-efficient one.  Look for high performance windows and doors that help preserve energy very effectively.

The current global condition begs for smart choices in home interior design.  Green design is such a choice, resulting in an economic and environmental advantage.  Green enthusiasts think of future money savings, reduced exposure to toxic materials, and living in harmony with the environment, however, living green is not easy. It is a lifestyle that demands deep changes in your life philosophy and priorities, but it is worth it!

If you’re interested in this kind of interior design, research, ask, and learn all you can about it before deciding to implement it. Interior designers in Seattle are a great source of information and guidance, one that you should consider in order to go green all the way and in the right way.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

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