Green Design Gone Mainstream

Despite the current economy, consumers are spending money on eco-friendly products for their homes.  Green living is now mainstream.  Some frequent design changes being made...

PAINTING: Low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints improve indoor air quality while lessening their effect on the environment.

Greenspace, a shop specializing in eco-friendly items in Santa Cruz, Calif. carries such home-improvement products as FURNITURE, LIGHTING, LINENS and BEDDING. “People are realizing that they spend one-third of their lives in bed, and maybe it’s not such a good idea to sleep on a toxic mattress.” For consumers looking to buy new FURNITURE that leans green, manufacturers such as Viesso have committed to environmentally friendly practices and materials. Their sofas are composed of an alder frame certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); springs and legs from recycled steel; recycled or natural fibers for upholstery, and water-based glue and stains.

Consider ACCESORIES made with sustainable materials such as bamboo or developed by manufacturers who have shown their production and delivery methods (LOCAL IS BEST) are socially and environmentally sound.  Homeowners can replace old, energy-draining APPLIANCES (which should be properly recycled, of course) with ENERGY STAR®-rated refrigerators and dishwashers. Reusing existing cabinetry and painting or staining it with no- or low-VOC products offers another eco-sensitive outlet.

Changing out surfaces is another hallmark of a major kitchen remodel. Granite countertops are often the go-to choice for many consumers, but its energy and mining-intensive characteristics, not to mention that it isn’t a renewable resource, have prompted eco-conscious homeowners to think twice about this stone’s use. Designers can find many alternatives for countertop materials. Tile is a good countertop material, but people hate it because they’re tired of cleaning the grout. You can get large-format tiles, such as 24″ x 24″, which minimizes grout lines. It is the least expensive, most environmentally stable option for countertops. Many manufacturers now specialize in recycled-content countertops, often available in colorful options. Vetrazzo uses recycled Skyy vodka bottles, along with beer and wine bottles in its mix. IceStone is made of recycled glass and concrete and offers a comparable alternative to quartz.

FLOORING comes in a variety of sustainable options. Linoleum — which has been around for 150 years — is a classic eco-friendly option, because its main ingredient is linseed oil. “A lot of people get vinyl confused with linoleum because vinyl replaced it in a lot of the marketplace after World War II. Linoleum is inexpensive, naturally antimicrobial, and it’s a 40-year floor. Other popular green flooring options include fast-growing bamboo, cork, sustainably harvested FSC wood, seagrass with a natural latex backing, and carpets made of recycled content.

Manufacturers are responding to consumers’ ever-increasing demand for green, and designers can expect a constant influx of more innovative, eco-friendly products.