As a homeowner, choosing to live a green life means living responsibly. The Environmental Protection Agency estimated that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors where pollutants are more concentrated. This may come as a surprise to you that many outdoor settings are even cleaner when compared to the pollutants that can be found indoors.
Since green design is more about achieving cleaner interiors, it is now being used in many kids' rooms throughout the country. There are now non-toxic nurseries and playrooms - just check out the designs online.
Green Interior Design Basics
There are basic guidelines to follow if you want to set up an ecologically-balanced interior. First, steer clear of paints that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Such chemicals can have long-term negative effects on your family's health.
Go for organic upholstery. The standard upholstered products in the market these days contain polyurethane foams that are wrapped in dacron. These are man-made materials and are even petroleum-based so they are highly flammable. While they are treated with flame-retardants, they can still be catch fire. Also, they have been known to cause some health issues such as lowered IQ and infertility.
Another green design basic is to choose wood furniture. Find pieces that are made of teak, walnut, maple, oak or any solid wood. These pieces are held together by joinery methods that ensure a stronger bond with less adhesive.
Do not purchase furniture that has particleboard or MDF. These are made from compressed sawdust or shavings bonded by glue, synthetic resins and binders. Adhesives often have formaldehyde that causes nausea, wheezing and serious allergic reactions.
If you have to install rugs in your home, then choose natural fibers like jute, cotton or wool over synthetics. Wool, unlike many of its artificial counterparts, is a natural fire retardant. It also absorbs pollen, dust and moisture so it reduces allergens and humidity on the air.
Synthetic type rugs are often made from polyester, nylon or acetate. Such man-made fibers are also flammable and treated with chemicals that can spike the potency of toxins being releases throughout your home.
One other area that green design focuses on is the conservation of water. Install low-flow showerheads as well a faucet aerators in your bathrooms. It may take a bit longer to finish your bath but this change in your lifestyle guarantees that you are not wasting water as a resource.
There is also the issue of resource management. Eco-friendly interior design is all about using materials that do not deplete quickly. Use a lot of jute, bamboo, coconut, hemp, cork and water hyacinth materials in your home. Yet another strategy is to source your furniture. Look for companies that have committed to sustaining resources. These companies are the ones that are concerned about the impact that a product has on the environment in pollutant terms.
Recycling and upcycling are methods that are heavily used on green designs.
Go Green Offices - Why Not?
When talking about modern office design, it is likely that the discussion centers on trends, colors, furniture choice and the most stylish accent pieces. Businesses, after all, need to exude a professional look. But isn't it also the duty of businesses to make Mother Earth habitable for many more years?
Going green is now a growing trend among offices. More clients seem to be attracted to businesses that care. Instead of merely thinking about profit, offices now put together an environment that poses the least health hazard.
