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Here are Top 3 criticisms for an environmentally friendly home:

* It’s too expensive. * It’s a fad. * It’s UGLY!

Fortunately, architects, designers and decorators have been listening to these complaints and they’ve come up with some improvements. However, the first improvement that needs to take place is your own attitude toward sustainable living.

Using eco-friendly products help the environment by not putting the resources to waste and reducing their usage as much as possible. This is not only for a healthy environment but for healthy living as well while living in a beautiful home at the same time.

For instance, not all “green” home decor is expensive. In fact, the decorating style known as Shabby Chic actually centers on re-using quality furnishings that have fallen on hard times. The key is to develop an eye for quality that can see past the inevitable nicks, dents and scratches of a lifetime of use. Stores such as those operated by The Salvation Army, Goodwill and many other charities often carry this items. Some designers recommend giving recycled furniture and accessories a fresh look by painting them white, one of Shabby Chic’s basic colors.

I got most of my “new” furniture from a flea market and recently, I got good finds from a garage sale in the neighborhood. Now I have new vases, chairs, a matching table and some great kitchen decors that I got for a lot less compared if I bought them in a department store. Even on a big sale, I don’t think it will beat the price out of what I got from the market and the yard sale.

Going environmentally friendly also means being aware of the materials used for your home decors. Non-toxic components, renewable resources, organic and such are better for your health too.

On the other hand, if you’re fond of an existing part of your home decor that’s made from natural materials – such as a wool area rug — you don’t have to replace it. However, if you’re striving to “green” your decor, consider some of the new area rugs offered by several manufacturers. These stylish rugs are made from recycled materials and colored with non-toxic dyes. Being modular, they give plenty of flexibility in arranging your “green” decor.

As you go about redecorating and finding some things you no longer need, don’t just throw them away. Segregate and apply proper waste disposal. Better yet, sort them and donate them to charities and organizations like The Reuse People who will check your stuff and take care of disposing them the proper way. For those things in good condition, earn extra bucks by selling them to thrift stores or on online auction sites.

Finally, if you do purchase some new items for your “green” decor, don’t have to fret that you’re not really being green. Underwriters Laboratories – yes, the folks who set the standards for light bulbs, toasters, coffee makers, etc. — has just launched a new UL Environmental. Its purpose is to work with manufacturers to validate, test and certify environmentally sustainable projects and to help consumers make sense of products’ “green” claims.

Going green is a breeze. You won’t only be doing the planet a favor, but your home and health as well.

Natural Interior Decorating experts all agree that it is essential to use area rugs. And as discussed here one of the most popular ranges is the bamboo shag rugs.