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The moment has come when all of us should act like responsible and concerned citizens of the world and do our duty towards our planet. It is high time that we stopped wastage of any kindand started reducing, reusing and recycling in the proper sense. We, human beings, have a tendency to take everything for granted, especially our natural wealth. However, with the increasing population and depleting resources a day will come when even the basic necessities of life will be difficult to acquire. Therefore, it is essential that we change our mindset now and ‘go green’ before it is too late. Environmental-consciousness should not be limited to only switching off the lights when we leave our homes or using less paper or even conserving water, it has to become a part of everything we do. You will be surprised but you can add a touch of green to your home décor as well. Eco-friendly home décor or an all-natural décor is a relatively new concept which is soon becoming more and more popular owing to its various benefits not only to us but to the whole world at large. Here are some ways in which you can incorporate this style in your home: • Eco-Friendly Paints and Polishes – Every house needs painting and polishing. While most of the ones available in the market are made from various hazardous materials which release VOC’s and other harmful toxins in the air, there are some options in the eco-friendly range as well. It is a better idea to go for these as they are good for the environment as well as us. • Energy Efficient Appliances – Now-a-days everything from a refrigerator to an air-conditioner comes with an energy star label which tells us about how much energy that particular product consumes. It is best to go with the one which has the highest number of stars as it is most energy efficient. Appliances are also available with different modes which help to conserve water as well. Thus using washing machines and water heaters on ‘water saving’ mode is a good way of avoiding wastage of water. Make sure to find out the environmental efficiency of a product before you buy it. • Energy Saving Lights – These have become quite common in the present times. Instead of the regular tubes and bulbs, a better and more energy efficient option are using LED’s and CFL’s. These, though more expensive than their counterparts, use much less energy and last much longer too. So it makes much more sense to invest in them once and enjoy benefits for long instead of using bulbs and tubes which need frequent replacement. The best thing about energy efficient appliances and energy saving lights is that they help in considerably reducing the electricity consumption and thus result in lower electricity bills as well. • Second-Hand Products – Making any new thing means use of that particular material and thus it is not very environment friendly. For example, if you want to buy a bed, instead of getting a new bed made for which wood will be required, it is better to go for a second-hand bed which is in a good condition. Just get it cleaned and polished and you are good to go. It is not only environment-friendly, it is pocket-friendly too as second hand things are always cheaper than newer ones. • Re-cycled Items – As the awareness for going green is increasing, re-cycling has become more and more common. Not only paper, which most people think is the only thing that is re-cycled, many other things can be re-cycled and re-used at home only to make interesting and cost efficient home décor items. For example, making interesting and colorful pillows and cushions out of old t-shirts and tops, using any old decorative bottle as a flower vase, using old saris to make bright and vibrant curtains etc. • Natural Fibers and Fabrics – As far as possible try to use natural fibers in your home. Instead of purchasing rugs and carpets made of synthetic material, buying those made of wool, cotton, jute, hemp, sea grass or even silk would be a much better and wiser choice. Similarly using furniture, flooring, window blinds made from bamboo, a natural fiber, is a more sensible and greener option any day. Same goes for natural fabrics as well. Curtains, drapes, upholstery and all other fabrics used in the home should be natural and not artificial. In fact, cushion can also be stuffed with natural fillings like feathers and sawdust than synthetic polyester foam. • Plants and Flowers – Instead of decorating your home with artificial objects and ornaments, fill it with beautiful plants and flowers. Not only do they look wonderful, they add a lot of color, vibrancy and positivity to a home as well. • Natural Home Fragrances – As an alternative to artificial air-fresheners like aerosol sprays and plug-ins, which are full of harmful chemicals, use natural products like reed diffusers, oil burners, most demanding scented candles and potpourri to mesmerizingly scent your home and make it feel clean, fresh and welcoming. Hence, by following these simple steps you can decorate your home in an environment friendly way. Not only is it good for the environment, it is good for you too. So next time, whether you are building a new home or re-decorating your old one, give a shot at eco-décor, you surely wouldn’t be disappointed!!
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