Guest Blogger: Greener Decor Options for Energy Efficiency

Guest Blogger #919, Entry #217, April 1, 2013

Some people are worried that they’ll lose their current theme or design if they switch over to energy efficiency, but that’s not true anymore with all of the new energy efficient items on the market.  There are quite a few great designs to be had in home décor without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Keep your decorative home cool and fashionable

Image via: Lane Design Studio llc

Families living in the Texas area can visit http://www.shopelectricityratestexas.com/ to shop for electricity providers to see who would be cheapest and who is the most energy efficient company.  They also have a great resource center for residents to learn about conserving energy efficiently and easily incorporating these changes into a family’s everyday life without too much effort.  Reading through this list is definitely a good start when it comes to making your home energy efficient.

Try decorative window treatments to keep out the heat/cold:

Now that it’s getting warmer out, it’s time for those living in areas like Florida or Arizona to start thinking about their air conditioning needs.  It’s not always feasible to simply turn your air conditioner off, so instead, invest in some heavy blackout curtains to help block out the warmth from the sun and help keep the cold air inside.  Blackout curtains are extremely popular these days and they’re available in various colors, styles, and lengths to fit into everyone’s décor.

Energy efficient light bulbs used to be available in just one style and color but in the recent years, they’ve expanded this quite a bit.  Whether you’re trying to have your home feel a bit warmer or perhaps you’d rather it have a daylight feel to it, you’ll be able to find bulbs to fit your style.

If you’re someone who lives on the east coast and loves to open the curtains on a nice spring day to see the view of the ocean but doesn’t like the unnecessary heat or sun exposure, there’s a solution for you.  If you’re willing to replace the windows in your house, you’ll be able to find quite a few various energy efficient window styles out there these days.  There are even sprays that can be used over existing windows that will help cut through the UV rays coming in while leaving a layer of insulation on the windows to help keep the heat out.  The best part about this is that regardless if you’d like to keep the windows or get new ones, you’ll be able to get them customized to fit whatever you’d like them to.  You’ll even be able to get them fitted for your beautiful bay windows overlooking the beach.

Try adding decor to help with saving energy

Image via: The Couture Rooms

Weatherization will keep your energy consumption low:

No matter in which part of the United States you live, weatherization will go a very long way to keeping your utilities down and your energy consumption minimal.  Outside of different curtains and blinds, there are a lot of various trims and caulk-type products that will serve to keep heat leaking in from windows and doors and most of them are available in a bunch of different colors.  If you want them to blend in, it’s possible; if you’d rather have your weatherization stand out, it’s possible.

Most places will also be able to provide small rugs or pillows that can be placed in front of doors and windows to help keep the heat out this spring and they’re available in hundreds of styles and colors so there should definitely be something to suit your décor.

No matter what style your home has, there will always be something to help you stay energy efficient without having to give up your home’s personality.  Energy efficient products have come a long way these last few years and now they’re just as stylish as everything else.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.