It is now possible to find eco-friendly wall paint.
Using sustainable decor and furnishings is becoming a must for today's interior designers. Whether you're a commercial or residential designer, you're likely to run into a client that requests the latest in eco-friendly furniture, rugs or even window treatments. No matter what your budget is, there are ways to incorporate green products into your interior design projects.
Vintage Decor
Vintage decor, such as lamps, rugs, valances and photo frames, is perfect for sustainable design; these items encourage recycling by being used more than once. This type of decor is great for interior design projects that are being done on a budget, as well as those where the client desires a nostalgic or retro feel. Vintage housewares aren't just for recreating a feeling of the past--they can fit well into traditional and contemporary decor as well. Scour your local secondhand, consignment and thrift stores to find vintage pieces to make your next design project more eco-friendly. To make your vintage lamps even more eco-friendly, use energy-efficient light bulbs--just be sure the wattage is appropriate for your specific lamp.
Sustainable Furniture
Green furniture is that which is either upcycled, recycled or made of sustainable materials, such as bamboo. It is the best option when your client wants pieces that are not only green but also of high quality. Makers of sustainable furniture include InMod, Crate and Barrel and 2Modern. This type of furniture is most often seen in modern and contemporary decor, and much of it is more costly than furniture made of less eco-friendly materials. However, you can make your own sustainable furniture for your design projects with just a bit of effort. Use your client's existing furniture or buy an inexpensive piece from an antique or flea market. Sand off its original finish, prime if necessary, and then give it a fresh coat of paint. With this technique, you can incorporate sustainable furniture into your interior design plans by upcycling, even if you're on a budget.
Green Paint
Using green paint doesn't mean giving all of your clients chartreuse walls. It means using paints that are low in toxins, commonly referred to as VOCs (volatile organic compounds). While toxins used to be required in order for paint to perform well, new formulations are making it possible to produce quality, long-lasting paint with low or no VOCs. This type of paint doesn't cost much more than regular paint, and it's great for use in most interior design projects, especially those where you're tasked with creating children's bedrooms, family rooms and baby nurseries. Paint manufacturers that make eco-friendly paint include Benjamin Moore, The Real Milk Paint Company, Green Planet Paints, American Pride and Sherwin-Williams. More and more paint makers will be introducing green products as paint technology improves and consumer demand for low- and no-VOC paint grows.
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