No matter what room in your home you are remodeling, the key is to use only natural materials that can be reused or recycled.

Kitchens
In the kitchen, look for cabinets made with sustainable woods such as eucalyptus or bamboo, or made from repurposed wood. Another way to save money and materials is by just updating the fronts of the cabinets with eco friendly paints and bamboo molding.

For the counter tops, there are many manufacturers who make tiles that now use recycled glass. Natural materials such as linoleum can be used both for flooring and counter tops. The idea for any material used is really “cradle to cradle”, that every product should have more than one life. Don’t forget to make sure all the appliances carry Energy Star ratings as well!

Bathrooms
You can use the same guidelines in the bathroom as in the kitchen when choosing cabinetry, counters and tiles for your bath. Again, look for Energy Star ratings and water-saving showerheads and toilets. Something as simple as keeping up on repairing any leaking faucets can save you money and energy as well as being less wasteful.

Living Room and Bedrooms
Carpet and wall paper is surprisingly becoming greener as well. Green carpet is made of natural fibers, usually organically grown cotton and wool, or made from recycled materials such as plastic water bottles.
You can find green wallpaper that is completely free of vinyl, and use water-based inks on 100% certified organic cotton-based fabric. You can always shop for antique furniture to continue to reuse older pieces.

Indoor Air Quality
The biggy here is looking for natural alternatives to items such as cleaning products, paints, furniture materials and pesticides.

And of course try to stay eco-friendly when it comes to the final touches, like home decor! I would be amiss if I didn’t mention our new recycled glass cheese boards, spoon rests, and candy dishes and popular soy candles. For the month of November, it’s also 15% off our organic bedding, which includes fitted and flat sheets, blankets, and duvets.

Resources:

Low Budget Ideas for Home Improvement and Tips For Accessorizing Your Home

10 Tips For Decluttering Your Home

Green Flooring

Green Cleaning Products & Paint

Follow Verde Lifestyles on Twitter!