Eco-friendly fashions for your home

April 8, 2012 (WPVI) -- Reviving the environment is a high priority in many of our lives; doing your part can range from recycling to buying energy efficient products.

Going green can also be fashionable for your home.

Now that spring is here it's only natural to start thinking about spring cleaning, and it seems like home improvement projects and makeovers are at the top of the list.

And if you're thinking about going green, we found five fun and affordable ways you can renew your space and help out the environment.

Kat Robbins is an interior designer with a resume rich with reusable products. Kat quickly debunks the notion that decorating an eco-friendly way is less than fashionable.

"Sustainable design or eco-friendly has a reputation of being made of hemp or Birkenstock or being crunchy granola, and I don't think that's the case," said Robbins.

Kat shows high quality furnishings, handmade and recycled from local companies; everything from maple cabinets in the kitchen to recycled content in the wall and floor tiles used in the bathroom. And how about a throw made of recycled water bottles?

Here are some fabulous and fun tips on how you can spruce up your home and save a few bucks.

"Green" Home Improvement Tips:

1. First, paint a room, but be sure to use no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint.

"If you want to have a total makeover, very quickly and inexpensively, doing paint is a great way to do it," says Kat.

2. Second, use new hardware to make something dated look brand new.
3. De-clutter your space.
4. If your budget allows, invest in a quality piece of furniture.

"I think it's very tempting to go into these big box stores, but you're going to end up in 5 or 10 years replacing that piece of furniture," Kat says.

5. Get inspired! Take a trip to a second hand shop or local thrift store for some one-of-a-kind vintage finds.

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environment, fashion, consumer news, melissa magee

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