Sustainable Home Decorating with Natural Fiber Rugs

If your house was built before the eco-friendly design craze, you may be asking yourself how you can contribute to the "green movement" without the energy-efficient architecture or the 100% organic building materials. There are in fact many ways for homeowners with older residences to develop environmentally sound practices within their households. Improving your sustainability does not have to be expensive or time-consuming either; there are many quick and inexpensive fixes that make major differences.

Simple changes, such as switching from regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs, are not only more sustainable environmentally, but also economically. Similarly, ensuring that you fix any major drafts in doors and windows will save energy as well as money off your bills.

Whether you have an older house that needs constant attention or your home only requires the occasional repair, careful thought should be dedicated to any renovation projects - big or small. Before beginning the work, plan out every detail involved in the design aspects as well as materials in order to avoid running into glitches that could potentially waste time, energy and supplies. Consult online resources to determine which products have the least amount of environmental repercussions. If you are contracting out any work, evaluate the builder’s familiarity with sustainable design and construction. For do-it-yourself projects, be sure not to overestimate your expertise because having to completely restart work is wasteful as well.

Decorating and interior design are also important factors in improving household sustainability. Because "organic" and "green" have become such trendy modifiers, make sure you are not tricked by misleading marketing. Just because a product’s packaging is green in color does not make it green in concept. When it comes to decorating in a sustainable fashion, the options are endless. Today you can find organic or environmentally friendly alternatives to nearly every household item.

Investing in sustainable home décor can be a weighty decision since most furniture, lighting and accessories tend to have long lifetimes. If you are not ready to purchase a large item such as a couch or dining room table, accessories such as natural fiber area rugs may be a good first step towards sustainability. Just like any remodeling work, research is equally important when making interior decorating decisions.

Natural fiber rugs can be found very easily in retail outlets and on online stores. The name suggests an earthy, simple design; however, there are also very high-quality refined styles. Living interiors with any composition can be enhanced by the addition of a natural fiber rug.

Rugs vary in material and include sisal area rugs, wool area rugs, seagrass area rugs and jute area rugs. Weaves range in smoothness with some accentuating the fiber texture while others tend to hide it. Area rugs made of refined piled jute have a softer feel and a more sophisticated, contemporary style. The seagrass rugs found in the Botanical Blends collection by Fibreworks emphasize the beautiful natural materials. With style names like "Garden Grove," "Spring Twine," and "Summer Lace," you can imagine these accessories perfectly in a sunroom, screened-in porch or patio.

A potpourri look can be found in rugs with a blend of different natural fibers. This option portrays a traditional country feel that would warm up the flooring of a kitchen or family room. While neutrals and subtle tones are the norm for natural fiber rugs, you can also find varieties in vibrant colors to match any room accents.

Whether you are just beginning to "green-up" your living space, or you are well on your way, consider natural fiber rugs when making new home decorating decisions.

Rachel Messina is a decorating enthusiast, a writer and Internet marketing specialist with Mountain Media, an ecommerce solutions firm that works with clients such as Georgia Mills Direct, an online source for natural fiber rugs including seagrass rugs and sisal area rugs.