Eco-friendly decorating is easier and cheaper to pull off than you might think.
There are lots of little things you can do each day to create an eco-friendly interior space that is beautiful, affordable, and green.
Reusable Resources When decorating on a budget, utilizing resources like eBay, Craigslist, thrift stores, and garage sales are a must.
But it is also a very good eco-friendly decorating habit.
Anytime you buy pre-owned or used items, you not only save money, but you save energy and waste by not producing something new.
The next time you are ready to buy something new, stop and ask yourself if you could find something just as good or similar that is used.
Remember that a can of spray paint can do wonders for just about anything.
Eco-Friendly Materials If you're in the market to buy something new, you should be aware of some great eco-friendly decorating materials that many products are made from.
Organic cotton and Bamboo are easy to come by these days in most stores without a hefty price tag.
Bamboo is one of the best materials because it grows with few chemicals and naturally regenerates.
Bamboo floors, shades, baskets, sheets, and fabrics are items you can find everywhere.
If you're looking for a rug, try one made from natural materials like jute, wool, and sisal.
Cork is also a great option for walls and floors.
Items made from these natural materials have very comparable price tags to those made without them.
Sure you can find lots of pricey "green" decorating stores and items, but it is just as easy to find affordable options mixed in with the stuff you see every day.
You just have to know what natural materials you're looking for.
Eco-Friendly Lighting Fixtures There are few simple eco-friendly decorating tips you can use to save energy every day and lower your monthly bills.
First, switch out your regular light bulbs with soft white compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's).
You won't have to replace your bulbs nearly as often and the energy savings add up big time.
CFL's have come a long way since they first came out.
No longer do they cause a harsh, bluish tone.
They have been replaced by much warmer tones with many styles to choose from as well.
Shop for those that say "soft" or "warm" white to get the same glow as traditional bulbs.
Yes, CFL's are a little more expensive, but the savings in electricity will make up the difference in just a matter of months.
Some energy companies will even give you a credit for each CFL bulb you use.
Not bad! Second, if you're in the market for a new appliance, look for those with an Energy Star Label.
These appliances require about 10-50% less energy and water than regular alternatives.
It won't take long to see the savings add up in your wallet.
Eco-Friendly Shower Heads A simple thing like replacing your shower head is a great eco-friendly decorating tip that can really add up in terms of water and money saved over time.
Using a high efficiency 2.
5 gallon per minute shower head will save about 30 percent fewer gallons of water every time you wash.
There are also affordable models that will pause the flow of water when the temperature reaches a certain point.
This translates into less hot water that you have to pay to heat up, not to mention the amount of water saved each year.
A newer model like this might cost about 20-30 dollars more than a standard model, but over time the shower head will pay for itself.
You can feel good knowing that you are saving a lot of water and money at the same time.
Here is another quick tip to save even more water.
Place a plastic bottle filled with water into your toilet tank.
This will take up space and reduce the amount of water needed to fill up the tank between flushes.