What makes an eco-friendly home? In these times when pollution and global warming affect just about everybody, an eco-friendly home is the kind of house that helps preserve, conserve and sustain the environment.

In creating an eco-friendly home, there are a number of things that you have to consider. It doesn't just mean trying to put plants inside your house. All you have to do is to redesign your house using eco-based products.

Here are some tips on how to just that:

Use eco-based paint on your walls

Paints

Since many of us know there are a lot of paint materials that irritate the skin and cause allergies or headaches, using natural paints do not cause the same side-effects. The types of paints are clay, plaster and stucco. The good things about natural paints are that they:

• do not emit any toxic odors
• are good for surfaces
• and are virtually odorless

Wallpapers

The good thing about wallpapers is that they make your house look more pleasing to the eye, adding depth and texture to your home. Below are great wallpapers themes in creating an eco-friendly home:

• Arrowroot
• Bamboo
• Seagrass
• Jute
• Sisal
• Wildgrass

Eco-friendly floors

Wood

When it comes to floors, wood flooring is the best option. It can make your house warm and insulated. It is also good in regulating the humidity of your home. You can choose a variety of materials out there apart from wood, if you find it too expensive. Bamboo as it is easy to install and it is even durable as well as flexible. Another option would be all-natural tiles.

Rugs and carpets

Since these come from natural fibers, manufacturing these products costs little energy. And coming from natural resources, they can be renewed and are always abundant. The good types of environment-friendly rugs are:

• paper
• sisal
• coir which is derived from coconuts
• jute
• seagrass
• wool

Eco-friendly furniture

Examples of furniture that are environment friendly:

• sheets made of organic cotton
• roll-up blinds made of bamboo
• bamboo-spun towels

Accessories

You can use reusable antique or vintage products as accessories. Other types of accessories that are eco-friendly are:

• wool throw pillows
• wood photo frames
• glassware made of recycled materials