• Follow us:

Posts Tagged ‘green living’

Sustainability in Interior Design and Everything Else

Saturday, March 16th, 2019

Uttermost Living Room Avner Wooden Cube Table 25603

There is a reason behind the popularity of low-impact homes these days. Apart from energy costs saved, there are health and ecological reasons as well that drive homeowners to choose to live green.

 

If you’ve just signed up to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, then it would be good to have a few guiding principles to help you on your new journey –

 

Purchase Responsibly

 

Green living means you purchase only from businesses that are serious about natural resource conservation. As a homeowner, you should also use energy optimally. Do this as well with your water consumption and other material use.

 

Buy only the products that have been certified to meet the strictest environmental standards. Always prioritize your environmental and social responsibilities as you make each and every purchase.

 

Buy Locally

 

If you have neighbors with local businesses, then support them. But make sure that they also know how to conserve energy and preserve Mother Earth.

 

You might think that buying locally has nothing to do with the well-being of the planet but think again.

 

First, food that you buy from the farmers market is fresher. You don’t just get to support the local farmers, you even improve your health and the local economy.

 

Compared to store-bought food, too, local foods have less transportation time. You can even drive to the nearest farmers market to pick your own peaches, strawberries, blueberries, etc.

 

Another upside to local purchase is the amount of packaging involved. You can bring your own reusable bags when you buy from the farmers market. As you can see, saying no to plastic is a major decision that you have to make when you want to live a green lifestyle.

 

Assess a Product’s Environmental Impact

 

If you want to be truly sustainable, product suitability and longevity must also be balanced with sources and materials that are sustainable. Be involved in the life cycle analyses (cradle-to-grave concept) of the environmental impacts of products that you buy.

 

Say no to products that harm animals such as alligator or snakeskin products, ivory from elephant tusks, etc.

 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

 

Just buy products that make use of recycled materials like salvaged timber, reclaimed tiles, recycled pet bottles, etc.

 

You can help protect the environment by remembering these 3Rs. Reducing means you’re willing to decrease the amount of waste that you and your household produce.

 

In reusing, you can think of ways that you can use something more than once. For instance, you can shred paper for your pet hamster or you can use glass jars for multiple uses.

 

Recycling, on the other hand, means you imagine ways to use the product again without having to buy new products. You can compost food wastes and recycle those UPS boxes after you empty them.

 

Be Energy-Efficient

 

There are simple ways to begin your energy-efficient lifestyle.

 

First, you can begin lowering your thermostat especially when you’re away from home. You can also seal your windows and limit your use of space heater.

 

Be sure to unplug appliances that are not in use and to replace the incandescent bulbs with LED lighting. You can also ask an electrician about the installation of a lighting control system. This should reduce your electrical consumption by 40%.

 

The 3Rs in Interior Design

 

And now that you know what the 3Rs are in green living, you can also apply these to your interior design.

 

If you have to remodel or renovate a part of your home, see if you can find materials that come from recycled sources. There is now recycled construction debris that you can use for your own construction projects.

 

Ask your interior designer about how to get your hands on such materials.

 

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in 2019 Trends, Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on Sustainability in Interior Design and Everything Else

Do You Have A Green Home?

Friday, October 5th, 2018

This room is green because it has wide, open windows and it features this Tommy Bahama Home Living Room Hibiscus Round Accent Table 593-953.

Green home is a term that could mean so many different things. There are those who consider a home green only if the Energy Star standards have been met. There are those, however who don’t just depend on certifications in order to define a certain home green.

Generally, though, a green home is one that uses less energy. This is also one that’s been built using sustainable materials. And with the leading U.S. wastes already including non-industrial wastes such as demolition and construction wastes, it’s about time that green builders take center stage.

Find the Alternatives

The bulky building materials that are often used in many construction projects throughout the nation comprise the biggest carbon footprint. There is chance, though, because green builders, are seeking ways to give more options. They are now presenting materials that are recycled, locally sourced, reused, durable, and renewable.

The wisest homeowners have taken heed. From the usual aluminum window frames, there are now those that choose local wood as a material. The rapidly growing bamboo plant is also now highly favored among Zen enthusiasts.

It’s All About Energy Efficiency

Now let’s talk about greenhouse gas emissions. It is wrong to presume that only industrial plants emit these harmful gases. Even households can contribute to the problem and U.S. households have been very busy.

There are homeowners who take part in saving Mother Earth by installing only the energy efficient appliances. There are also those who now use solar panels. Yet energy efficiency isn’t the only thing that can make homes sustainable. Zero energy homes could still use steel, concrete and bricks on an environmentally sensitive area and then they become unsustainable in the process.

Consider the Location, Too

Green homes are also often built on developed lands. This is so the environmental impact is reduced if not totally brought down to zero. There is nothing green about sprawl because they eat up a lot of green space.

Another way to consider your home a green home is to build it in close proximity to your school or work so that you won’t have to spend a lot of energy on transportation.

Plant Shade Trees

Planting deciduous trees on all sides of your home will provide the maximum amount of shade. You just need to carefully plan as well as design where the trees would be specifically planted.

Going green through tree planting is another good way to save energy all year round. Imagine a cool home even during summer. And during the coldest months, these trees can also help your home weather the winter winds. You then reduce the heating cost.

Once you’ve decided to plant shade trees, it is best to inspect all around your home first. Determine which walls and windows receive the most amount of sunlight. The east and west sides should be provided with shade since these sides receive 50% more light compared to their south and north counterparts.

Be sure to plant these trees close to your house so that they will have ample room to grow out to their full height and also for proper air circulation. A tree that’s been planted 10 feet away from your house wall will eventually shade that area four times longer than one that’s been planted 20 feet away.

If you have limited space to plant trees, then you can always go for shrubs and vines. Use trellises to shade the walls as well as the windows. Examples of vines that will provide you with year-round shade is the Confederate Jasmine.

Design and Size Also Matter

Yes, size does matter because bluntly put, bigger homes have a larger physical footprint. It is essentially more difficult to maintain a 5,000 sq. ft. home compared to a 1,500 sq. ft. one.

As for the design, it is best to go for the already energy efficient ones such as the passive solar or passive houses.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Do You Have A Green Home?

Green Interiors for the Green-hearted

Monday, February 13th, 2017

This lovely Living Room Uttermost Avner Wooden Cube Table 25603 was constructed almost wholly of mango wood (sustainable and plantation-grown). When the need calls for it, you can use the lift-off top as a serving tray.

A lot of people wonder how they can come up with the most stylish yet still eco-friendly home. Most just end up wondering while a few get to unleash their ingenuity and come up with means to be chic while being green.

Going green is not just a fad anymore. This is actually a necessity in our world these days. People need to treat resources and Mother Nature with care and respect.

Going green is not that hard either. You can begin with your family and eventually create a lifestyle out of it. Here are a few environment-saving yet still stylish tips that you can follow –

Conserve Energy

This is the initial step to going green. Energy conservation doesn’t have to be grand. It can be as simple as switching off the lights and appliances when they are no longer being used. Doing so will save you a lot of money over the years.

It also pays to encourage every member of your family to take part in this new endeavor. Ask them to spend time in just one room if they have to bond or are just merely resting. You can also invest in home automation and smart lighting systems so that you are ensured that your electrical appliances will be turned off when no longer in use.

These small contributions will contribute to the decrease of carbon footprint in our environment.

Say Yes to LED and CFL

CFL or compact fluorescent lamps are your best eco-friendly alternative to natural light. Incandescent lights are still in use now but they might become obsolete in the near future as more and more people are becoming concerned with the environment.

Switch to CFL or LED lighting and choose from a wide array of sizes, shapes and tones. Both choices can also add to the aesthetic value of your home.

Have Skylights Installed

If one or more rooms lack natural light, then consider having a skylight installed. This will help stream the light throughout the room and even reduce the use of artificial lighting. As the sun goes down, you will even have an amazing view of the starry sky.

Insist on having a skylight when you are planning to renovate your place.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

You’re not going green if you don’t learn to reduce waste that’s generated by your family. Begin in the kitchen and create a compost pit right in your backyard. This can even be a pot in the balcony where organic waste can be recycled into manure. You can then use it to fertilize plants and shrubs.

These same potted plants can be used to decorate the interiors of your home.

Install Solar Panels

This is a really expensive move but the great news is that they can eventually help you save on energy and energy costs. With regular usage, you should be able to surpass your investment in terms of savings.

Reinvent the Interiors

A huge change that you can also make is to bring a bust of color into your home. Use warm colors such as yellows and red to stimulate activity while cool colors like greens and blues can be used in spaces that need serenity (yes, that’s the bedroom and the bathroom).

A lot of paint cans contain VOCs or volatile organic compounds which could cause a plethora of health problems. Fortunately, there are various brands that are non-toxic and natural. Some are even made from clay or milk protein (casein). Use only the safe kind of paint for your home.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Karma Naturals Burl Rug 6506RS05000800750 is a member of the Karma Naturals collection. This naturally-constructed carpet will fit right in a green home.

Rethink Your Flooring

A lot of designers are now recommending wall-to-wall-carpets to be ripped out. While these make the home look more inviting, they are also the home for toxins and allergens. If you really love the look of carpets, make sure that you spray on a carpet sealer and to vacuum weekly.

Bring in the Green

Lastly, how can you be green without potted plants and flowers in vases? ‘Nough said.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Flooring Design | Comments Off on Green Interiors for the Green-hearted

Eco-Friendly Interiors – How They Can Be Yours

Thursday, October 13th, 2016

American Leather Living Room Alessandro-Sectional

American Leather Living Room Alessandro-Sectional

Eco-friendly or green interiors are designs that center on the improvement of air quality and the reduction of impact on the environment. A lot of Americans spend about 90% of their time inside their homes. This is where, unfortunately, most pollutants are also found.

You should always consider people who are living in your home. The aesthetics of your home shouldn’t be your only concern. Safety is a factor that must be prioritized as well as the health of everyone living in a single place.

Home design, therefore, must be able to balance safety and aesthetics by coming up with a green design.

So, are you ready to create this so-called sustainable design?

Decorate with Plants

There is no better element to make your home a green place than to place plants inside your home. Plants are great air filters and are also effective removers of chemicals. They also have health benefits to offer while giving your home that natural, fresher ambience. If you want to improve the quality of indoor air, then be sure to bring in bamboo palm, peace lilies or Gerbera daisies.

Bring in the Sunlight

One other eco-friendly way of creating a green environment is to let in a good amount of sunlight. You should maximize daylight so that you could avoid wasting electrical energy on those bright lamps.

Open shades and use skylights to bring in a tremendous amount of sunlight into your home. Having ample light also means fewer pollutants, meaning, you and your loved ones become much healthier.

You can further the energetic and fresh aura in your home by opening those windows. You can even make them greener through the application of special coatings that would reflect the sunlight while providing insulation. These should keep your home quite warm during those cold seasons.

Say goodbye to heating or cooling equipment because of your newly-coated windows.

Save Energy with Proper Lighting

Using energy-efficient lighting can help both the user and the environment. Compact fluorescent lighting saves energy as well as electrical power. This also prevents greenhouse gas emission as well as pollutants.

When buying lighting, be sure to read the labels and find the ones that are energy-efficient.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Karma Naturals Burl Rug 6506RS05000800750

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Karma Naturals Burl Rug 6506RS05000800750

Go Organic

Another way to establish an eco-friendly home is to find organic stuff. Do away with particleboard, plastics and chromed metal.

Find furniture that is manufactured using organic materials. This can be made from wood blocks, stone or marble. Don’t fret about design because there is a lot to choose from. There are also customized designs for bamboo and other wooden furniture.

As for the flooring, be sure to use stone flooring like marble. You could also use wooden parquet or pick laminated flooring.

As for your pillows, mattresses, bedding and carpets, be sure to find the wool-stuffed ones. This is so you won’t have to worry much about dust mites. These mites can cause allergies, thus, they’re not great for your health so always choose organic stuff.

Say No to VOC

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These are harmful to anyone’s health. These are commonly found in paints. So, when you paint your house or are about to buy stuff for your home, be sure to check for those that do not emit VOCs. The highest you could go should be those low VOC paints.

It is great to have eco-friendly interiors. It won’t just benefit you as a homeowner but also the people who live with you in your home. You must do your share in saving the planet, after all, just like the rest of the world – it’s the only home you’ve got.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

Green Living: How to Set Up a Working Home System

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016

FFDM Summer Home Collection: Allowing natural light to stream in during the day can save you a lot of money on energy.

FFDM Summer Home Collection: Allowing natural light to stream in during the day can save you a lot of money on energy.

Do you believe that your house is a system? You can easily save money and even improve the performance of your home if you are willing to take cost-effective measures. These steps can significantly reduce building load, eventual appliance and furniture repairs, etc.

Target the Exteriors First

The most effective way of improving your home’s energy efficiency is to look at your walls, doors and windows. Make sure that the walls are well insulated. Only when these are already considered green should you begin looking at other systems such as lighting, heating, cooling and appliances.

Set Up Effective Insulation

Minus effective insulation, a home will have heat flowing profusely out of the walls. This is especially catastrophic during winter. See to it that you use the least amount of energy, though, in heating or cooling the house.

Houses without wall insulation or has wall cavities should have blown-in insulation. This will up the level of comfort and cost-efficiency so if you still have uninsulated walls, it’s best to look into having a professional installer do the job. For homes with damaged or old insulation, on the other hand, should undergo insulation upgrade.

Meet the Energy Auditor

You can begin your path towards green living by talking to an energy auditor. This green home professional has expertise in choosing the right insulation materials such as fiberglass, foam or cellulose. Such materials can help keep heat or coolness inside the walls of a home. The keywords that you need to remember are these – properly installed. This means the insulation was installed by a contractor using the right assessment and installation tools. The contractor, for example, uses infrared camera to check for void in walls.

Improve or Replace Windows

If the windows in your home are already old and leaky, then this may be the time to have them replaced with energy-efficient types. If you’re not willing to say goodbye to your windows just yet, then you could look into weather-stripping or having storm windows.

Window replacement may not be a cheap project but it definitely saves you money in the long run. This could also improve the level of comfort in your home.

Plant Trees and Shrubs

If you are living in an older house with obvious poor insulation and damaged windows, then know that having good landscaping can save a lot of energy while you’re still planning the huge architectural project. Deciduous trees that are planted on the west side of the house could help block infrared radiation. See also that the insulation is upgraded and your home meets Energy Star requirements.

Check the Old Furnace

Furnaces that were built before 1992 have a standing pilot that wastes about 35% of fuel. It is also possible that such furnaces are almost at the end of their service lives.

Invest in a condensing furnace as this offers an annual efficiency of no less than 90%. This kind wastes less than 10% of the natural gas and could help save 27% on your heating bill.

Furnaces that were installed beyond 1991 are probably annual fuel utilization efficient. If you’re in doubt, you can always ask the help of an energy auditor or a heating service technician.

Check the Hot Water System

To improve the hot water system’s efficiency, begin by turning down the temperature to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to insulate the hot water lines so that they won’t cool off too quickly. Lastly, use only low-flow fixtures for baths and showers.

Green living may be a lot more difficult to maintain but it has its perks. You save money and you become an ally of Mother Nature.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »

A Tiny Yet Liveable Green Home

Tuesday, April 5th, 2016

Huntington House Living Room Loveseat 2053-40 is the best seating unit for smaller spaces.

Huntington House Living Room Loveseat 2053-40 is the best seating unit for smaller spaces.

One of the in things to do these days, the hottest bandwagon so to speak, is to live in an energy-efficient home. Founders of companies, couples, women, even college kids are now purchasing building plans for their new green homes. Some of these homes can be as small as 120 square feet (or even less).

There are challenges in living in a small space – this is certain. But there can also be benefits should you know what to do with the tiny space that you have.

Advantages of Small Home Living

The U.S. Census reported in 2010 that the average size of homes is about 2,400 square feet. Despite this large home dominance, many homeowners still recognize the advantages of living in a small place.

One of these advantages is energy efficiency. With a smaller place to cool or heat, this spells lower carbon footprint.

Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase W1201-701: Small space living means looking for effective ways to store stuff in your home.

Another advantage is not having to clean a large space. Fewer rooms means less maintenance or cleaning time. This can be a perk to your family since it would mean more time spent outdoors, doing all the stuff that the family loves.

A smaller home also means you have a cozier and more intimate space. These are the very things that bigger homes lack.

Smaller homes are also less expensive and less pricey to live in. You get smaller utility bills with your smaller place – that is also guaranteed. Small homes can spend as little as $180 in energy as compared to hundreds and thousands that large home dwellers need to pay for.

Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase W1201-701: Small space living means looking for effective ways to store stuff in your home.

Flexsteel Home Office Bookcase W1201-701: Small space living means looking for effective ways to store stuff in your home.

Freedom in a Small Space

So how can you achieve freedom in a much smaller space?

Begin developing your cute green home at the main room. This can be a living room and an office space in one. You can install a tiny fireplace, two comfortable chairs, a desk, and some hidden storage.

You can then go to the sleeping space which can be just a tiny nook right upstairs. Your cute home must have good insulation to keep you and your family warm during the wintry months and cool during the summer season.

The front door can open to two rooms at the same time. This can be the dining area and your kitchen space. Install a sink, portable electric range, small refrigerator, and a prep surface for your kitchen/dining area. The dishes and other kitchen tools can be stored in smaller cabinets or shelves.

Accept also the fact that you will have a smaller bathroom. Install a small yet full bath containing the toilet, sink, shower and tub within 10 square feet. Water can be gathered from neighboring spigot. You could cook up something more elaborate but you will have to deal with local building codes if you do so.

Smaller homes are not just energy efficient, they are also sturdier. This means that you won’t have to worry as much when a quake suddenly ensues. This is because shorter distances spell a more expedient escape. Remember that the smaller the surface area, the smaller chances that the house would topple because of an earthquake.

Smaller homes have also been proven to be safer from fires.

The secret to achieving freedom in the midst of coziness is to use every inch efficiently. You may feel uneasy during the first few months. You could even spend time figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

Everything is also depending upon your perspective, the beauty of your home being the topmost priority. Whatever makes sense for you and your family’s needs is what should be built, invested upon or installed.

This tiny yet liveable green home is yours to own – be sure you’re ready to embrace simple living.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Green Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes, Tiny Homes | No Comments »

What Is Green Living?

Thursday, February 18th, 2016

 

Living Room Uttermost Avner Wooden Cube Table 25603 offers a unique and stylish look to your home as you transition to green living.

Living Room Uttermost Avner Wooden Cube Table 25603 offers a unique and stylish look to your home as you transition to green living.

Also known as eco living, green living is tantamount to saying that you are living in a sustainable home. This is, after all, the standard that the world looks up to. It is because of this that manufacturers find ways to tell the world about their green credentials. Even appliances now come with energy-saving functions. Some materials that are used in food and other packaging are now recyclable or are actually recycled materials. This new generation of sustainable furniture as well as lighting designs aim to satiate people who have become aware of their roles in keeping Mother Earth intact.

Green Living in Your Home

Healthy interiors can make the tenants feel more comfortable and satisfied. In workplaces, it can even foster employee retention.

Occupant interaction with the surroundings can also impact individual emotional and mental wellness. For offices, it can even improve building operations. Since this is so, it should now be your goal to create sustainable interiors right in your own home.

You should now pledge to make productive use of your space and to use only eco-friendly lights and furniture. Also, the ambiance in your home should have green written all over it.

The Artistica Bedroom Axiom King Bed 560-566 is sustainable. It is built with plantation-grown parawood solids as well as acacia veneers.

The Artistica Bedroom Axiom King Bed 560-566 is sustainable. It is built with plantation-grown parawood solids as well as acacia veneers.

Green Living: Lighting

There are many benefits that come with eco living and when you decide to apply it even in interior design. You can now effectively combine energy saving technology with utility. Many appliances now have energy storage with some even installed with photovoltaic cells.

With eco-friendly lighting come not just energy savings but also the perfect look for ambient spaces. Energy saving bulbs use up less energy when compared to traditional light bulbs. What a wonderful sight it is to behold a dynamically created lighting fixture in your home! It spells poetry in the form of light while serving as a reliable light source for your lovely ambience.

Green Living Is In

Just like other design industries, the world of interior design is forever tied to volatile styles. In essence, it is like assessing clothes whether they are hot or they’re not.

Whether the client’s goal is to renovate, decorate or to create architectural detailing, interior designers must always be up on their toes with regard to what’s hot in their field. The trend at the moment – and probably the fastest growing segment of the interior design industry nowadays – is sustainability.

Bamboo and other sustainable materials are hot. And with the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers attesting that sustainability should be one of the areas of focus for interior designers today, everyone is simply geared towards the use of sustainable materials and wasting not. Even the curricula in different design schools already include sustainability as one of their crucial courses.

The Artistica Dining Room Idiom Arm Chair 451-010 is manufactured using plantation grown elm. It is beautifully combined with industrial steel to give you that architectural and textural wonder.

The Artistica Dining Room Idiom Arm Chair 451-010 is manufactured using plantation grown elm. It is beautifully combined with industrial steel to give you that architectural and textural wonder.

Green Living for the Homeowner

Whether you wish to become an interior designer someday or are just taking on an interior design project on your own, then you have to remember these guidelines –

  • Make good use of the space. Efficiently use every nook and cranny and make sure that you use resources and construction materials to a bare minimum. Apodments which are the hottest solutions in city living are 300-square foot housing developments that already have built-in amenities such as microwave and refrigerator. Use the concept that these new dwelling places offer. Be sure to maximize your home’s square footage.
  • Use energy-wise design materials, meaning, those that come from renewable sources. Install windows and doors that optimize energy efficiency.
  • Reduce waste in your home and use energy-efficient lighting. Minimize use of artificial lighting.
  • Use only non-toxic or non-polluting products.

Green living doesn’t have to be time consuming. It is a matter of making that conscious decision to change your lifestyle and the way you run things in your home. Yet this does not mean that your living space should look boring, though. You can still beautify your home by using your artistic eye in choosing sustainable furnishings.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Interior Design Trends | No Comments »