Go Green By Walking on Green: Choosing Gorgeous and Green Rugs
Eco-friendly rugs. For many of us, the phrase equates to plain, beige, and rough -- not the kind of warm, plush, coordinated rugs that we can imagine in our homes.
Yet these days, some of the most stylish, high-quality, and durable rugs are also eco-friendly. Consumers are demanding top-quality, great-looking rugs that are easy on the wallet and easy on the planet....and manufacturers have responded. From Carpeteria to Pottery Barn to Restoration Hardware, it's easy to find a gorgeous and green rug for your home.
But what to look for? Here are some tips for choosing eco-friendly rugs to create warmth and definition in a room. And remember: Your eco-friendly rug choice is making a difference in the world.
Yet these days, some of the most stylish, high-quality, and durable rugs are also eco-friendly. Consumers are demanding top-quality, great-looking rugs that are easy on the wallet and easy on the planet....and manufacturers have responded. From Carpeteria to Pottery Barn to Restoration Hardware, it's easy to find a gorgeous and green rug for your home.
But what to look for? Here are some tips for choosing eco-friendly rugs to create warmth and definition in a room. And remember: Your eco-friendly rug choice is making a difference in the world.
Because they don't need adhesives to install, modular carpet is one of the easiest ways to go green. You buy the squares, then configure them any way you like. They're held in place without toxic adhesives so they're easy to install, easy to clean, and easy on the environment. Look for modular carpet made from recycled material.
Design options are endless with modular carpet. In this children's room, the assymetrical, mismatched squares create a fun and funky play area.
Go green (or white)! This is a great example of a monochromatic modular rug, configured to fit perfectly under the dining and living area. Notice the dark hardwood floor peeking out on the left.
For an area rug, think natural fibers. Sisal, seagrass, jute...these natural fibers are grown and harvested sustainably, and are easy to clean.
See how the pink border on the sisal area rug highlights the pink bed linens in this girls' bedroom? You can customize a natural fiber rug with a variety of colorful borders.
Another bordered sisal rug. Not just for hardwood floors, this sisal rug helps to define a play space in this children's room. As always, use a mat underneath to prevent the rug from skidding and to protect the floor.
For a more elegant look, try a natural fiber blend, like jute/chenille or sisal/wool. The rug under this couch looks like a sisal/wool blend, which provides the durability of sisal with the warmth and softness of wool.
No article about eco-friendly rugs would be complete without a nod to antique rugs, which follow the cardinal principal of "reuse." The golds and reds in these antique runner rugs complement the dark wood floors and furnishings.
One final tip about rugs: recycle. When you recycle your old rugs, they can be used to make (you guessed it) new rugs. Check with your carpet manufacturer, or go to earth911.org to find a carpet recycling center in your neighborhood.