Photo: Getty ImagesThe 'eco' tag is much coveted of late as city life and its after-effects are no longer desirable. Green patches or green lungs are so prized that city denizens make frantic bids to retain them. Desperate moves to bring in Nature to crammed apartments and its vicinity make horticulturists popular in the concrete jungles our cities have become. Vertical gardens, terrace plants, greenery within interiors and creepers for curtains are on the shopping list of those deprived of pure oxygen. But a mere money plant or a potted palm inside your house won't make your home eco-friendly. Elements of nature can be infused into every corner of a house with a little effort.
Here are a few useful tips to give a green makeover to your home.
» Life in an eco-friendly house help us get close to nature. Air around us will be as pure as in a sylvan setting with the use of right materials. The moss tiles laid on walls create a natural ambience. Choose terracotta and bamboo tiles for floors. Old wood and used wood can also be converted into panels and laid on the floor. Opt for paints with minimum lead content.
» Unfired clay bricks for walls not only enhance the look of the house but also provide the much-needed cooling inside. Bricks in their natural colour contribute to the chic factor. Hence, avoid plastering.
Photo: Getty Images» Eco-friendly houses bring in the best of Nature buy letting in sunlight and air. Windows should be built and set to convey the brightest rays. Place smaller windows where the sunrays hit strong and larger windows on the walls opposite. Large windows ensure better air circulation. Cross ventilation helps to increase the quality of air inside.
» Save on power and energy by using LED bulbs. Solar power for immediate needs is another alternative.
» Old furniture if given an antique tweak will go well with the green-friendly style of houses. Cane furniture goes well with unpolished walls, terracotta floor tiles and potted plants inside.
» Use organic cotton or linen for curtains indoors. Avoid curtain material that is lavish on artificial colours. Use only natural shades. While choosing curtain material, see that it gels with the décor of the house, its colour tones and green surroundings.
» Choose bathroom fittings with great care to ensure zero water wastage. Go in for bathroom fittings that control the flow of water. Air showers and sensor faucets are the best bets.
» Use vessels and utensils made of clay and iron for cooking. Banish plastic from your green home.
» Never give up on indoor plants. There are small palms which grow well even in shady areas of the house. Such plants need very little sunlight. Aloe vera can be potted best near windows. Tulsi and dracena are good air purifiers. Snake plants are bathroom-friendly, while vertical gardens add style to the house.
» While constructing the house, see that the elevation covers only a quarter of the land area. The rest can be set apart for landscaping which will enhance the beauty of the house. Keep the gardens colourful with plants and greens that don’t require much water. Hibiscus, jasmine and ixora are ideal.
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