| With more and more people getting conscious | | | | If you're on a budget, you can minimize your |
| about their carbon footprints, it may seem a lot | | | | spending by choosing fewer items with a bigger |
| harder to make home design choices. From raw | | | | visual impact. For example, instead of changing |
| material sources to sustainability value, there's | | | | your entire floor, simply lay out an area rug that |
| really a lot to consider if you want a completely | | | | goes well with your current décor theme. |
| green décor theme. But that doesn't | | | | Area rugs come in all shapes, colors and sizes, so |
| mean you have to spend hours poring over labels | | | | you shouldn't have much trouble finding the right |
| when shopping for your home. It just means you | | | | piece. They also come in a range of eco-friendly |
| have to do a bit of research, know your choices, | | | | materials such as bamboo, wool, cotton, and |
| and choose items that give you the best value | | | | mountain grass. Check out design magazines or |
| for your money. | | | | catalogs to see how designers use area rugs for |
| Start by keeping your choices as natural as | | | | spaces similar to yours. |
| possible. Simply choosing natural materials over | | | | Another way to go green is to make the most |
| synthetics can already make a big difference. So | | | | of natural lighting. You don't have to forgo artificial |
| pick stone or wood counters instead of laminate, | | | | lighting altogether, but whenever possible, get |
| soft rattan furniture over metal frames, and | | | | your lighting from natural sources. If you have |
| other design elements. Most of the time, it will | | | | large windows, open them up and let in as much |
| also save you money upfront. Note, however, | | | | sunlight as possible. Sheer curtains in bright colors |
| that not all "natural" items are completely free of | | | | help diffuse the light and make the room even |
| synthetics-sometimes they're treated with plastics | | | | brighter. If your windows are small, maximize |
| and other chemicals to make them more durable. | | | | whatever light comes in by installing mirrors and |
| Check the labels carefully or ask your dealer | | | | reflective surfaces to help bounce it around the |
| which choices are the most environmentally | | | | room. |
| friendly. | | | | |