The main principles of Eco-friendly design schooling is to incorporate the methods of environmental and ecological preservation into conventional interior design strategies, and most green design schools majors and programs may include:

• Coastal Management, Ecology Studies
• Environmental Ecological Design
• Environmental Education
• Natural Resource Management
• Environmental policy

These courses are most effective in helping the interior design student to understand the “Green movement,” and its effect on the environment while emphasizing ways to achieve green interior design. It is always best to research your areas of interest before deciding which field of sustainable design is best for you. Read up on hot areas like universal design, discover the difference between decorator and designer, and get information on the salary ranges of experts in the industry. Compare the salary of conventional interior designers against the designers with training in green design in order to gauge the financial possibilities of a career in Eco-design. Eco-friendly design schools help the student to understand and embrace the future of interior design, and to find a proportionate balance between stylish and sustainable designs for any home.

Studying interior design online will challenge the student on how the use of ecologically conscious design methods can be beautiful, while being simple and healthy. Delving deeper into the field of design the eco-friendly interior is a discipline that has been growing nationally since scientist first announced the effects of global warming to the public, so having a degree in Green design is an essential part of gaining success in that discipline. You will have the opportunity to work with experienced design experts that will help you to apply your education and practical experience into a skill that will further your career. Acquire insight and understanding of different design approaches and the skills needed to become a successful green interior designer.

Excellent deign utilizes space while preserving and protecting the earth’s natural resources/ The US Green Building Council estimated the market for environmentally conscious housing at $7 billion. Competitive designers recognize Eco design as the design trend of the future, as national focus on energy efficient spaces created with sustainable materials continues to grow.

If you have always had a passion for the creative and technical fields of interior design and eco design or you have only recently become interested in the challenges of creating beautiful and functional spatial designs, there is a practical way to achieve your design education goals with research, effort, and determination.

The challenges and goals which come with this new age of responsibility and commitment toward a cleaner environment are many. There are a lot of things to consider if you are thinking of advancing or changing your career in order to remain viable in this fast changing economy. Demand for the skill, cost and years to obtain a degree are just a few things to consider. Job security is paramount right up there with job happiness.

Today’s job market is perhaps the worst our economy has seen since the great depression, and although there are many indicators that point to a slow recovery, old ways of producing and polluting are being phased out in favor of the emergence of a new more responsible and environmentally conscious industry and outlook toward our environment and the world in which we live.

The consumer is the driving force of our commercial society and education is the key in implementing the knowledge and understanding needed to meet the needs of our changing world. As communities across the country go green there is a growing need for knowledgeable professionals in the area of sustainable environmental design. The fact that universities are beginning to offer sustainable living interior design degrees, postgraduate and graduate degrees online are a testament to the viability, acceptance and need for knowledge of this field in today’s consumer driven industries.

As clean technology and materials fill in the gaps left behind from old methods and technologies no longer viable in today’s more sustainable and earth conscious consumer driven society, many who were once part of the problem are now looking forward to the future and a career which will be both rewarding and relevant for decades to come. sustainable design is one of the most exciting fields of today’s green movement. As demand for sustainable earth friendly buildings and home environments in the commercial as well as private sectors of our economy grow so will the need for knowledgeable and professional eco-friendly architecture and interior design.

Demand for education in this field is also growing and more and more universities are offering complete courses and degrees in a wide range of earth friendly and environmentally sound areas of consumer interest. Universities now offer courses online to many who due to home, work or family just do not have the time or money needed for an education at a university campus.

This is an exciting time as we look toward the future and a cleaner more sustainable future for generations to come. The challenges and goals which come with this new age of responsibility and commitment toward a cleaner environment are many, but the opportunities for reaching those goals have never been more attainable. If you intend to take charge of your life and secure an exciting new career that will continue to be relevant for many years to come, sustainable interior and architectural design are the perfect answer.

The challenges of our generation to become better stewards of our fragile earth and ecosystem are formidable and will require specialized knowledge and skills in order to achieve the desired result of a sustainable economy and ecologically sound future. Education will be at the forefront leading the way toward that goal. As new sciences, technologies and manufacturing emerge from the lessons of our past, so will our future teachers, builders and professionals. Getting in on the bottom floor of the new green education will provide you with the tools needed to compete in this new fast changing field of sustainable earth conscious technology and industry.

Consideration much be given to resources when designing a green interior. Materials should be sourced from renewable resources such as bamboo, or from recycled materials such as engineered wood, which is a wood composite made from waste, or even from lumberyards that promote sustainable forestry. When sourcing materials, the interior designer must also consider buying from local suppliers in order to reduce delivery emissions, as well as promote local businesses. Gabi is product analysis software focused on sustainability. The life cycle analysis database aids interior designers in choosing products that have the longest lifecycle and cause least impact to the environment.

When designing a healthy interior, the designer should be focused on emissions, allergens, and toxic chemicals. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in paint, coatings, varnishes and finishes, the interior designer must give consideration to low VOC products. Allergens and toxins usually go hand in hand; materials such as upholstery fabric or carpets are treated with chemicals to prevent fire and repel stains, and these chemicals are known carcinogens that are also known to cause headaches and nausea. Indoor air quality could contribute to sick building syndrome, and the green interior designer should focus interior layout to take advantage of natural airflows. I-BEAM offers visual reference modules and checklists that may help the interior designer construct a better airflow or take advantage of an existing airflow in the interior space.

Lastly, an interior design project must incorporate an energy efficient layout. The designer must model an interior to prevent as much energy use as possible, daylighting, compact fluorescent light bulbs, or LED lighting are measurably more energy efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs. The interior layout should also consider effective ways to take advantage of passive heat and cooling, such as attic fans and open windows. Energy Star appliances should also be reviewed in an effort to conserve energy and lower electricity costs. Radiance is modeling software used to predict energy savings in buildings that can take advantage of daylighting techniques. The software calculates the angles of the home against the angles of the sun at different times of day and projects illumination and visual capabilities in an effort to conserve energy.

The sustainable interior designer must give consideration to a number of environmental, health, and energy efficient practices before recommending any design to a client. The ideal sustainable design software will be a compilation of resources as well as financial savings to arm the designer in making informed decisions based on environmental impacts, health impacts, and energy savings. Currently, no software exists that focuses on all three of the topics mentioned, but separately the interior designer can combine education, websites, and software to calculate the best products and layouts that conserve the most energy.

Most sources of renewable and natural energy can be used in interior design. Things like corrugated steel, bamboo, natural wood products and recyclable materials such as plastics, aluminum, and glass can be used to create elegant décor. The finishing touches of a home show the owner’s personality as well as their commitment to saving the planet. Your home will tell the story about your lifestyle and tastes.

Those who seek a career in environmentally friendly interior design can gain much knowledge at the college and university levels. Most colleges and universities are includes green design into their interior decorating courses. Most of these green courses teach students how to use natural and renewable sources in creative ways.

Sustainable design can last for years to come and is proving to be just a viable an option as traditional decorating items. Society is moving away from waste and toward reuse. It may be a slow moving progression but it is moving toward a better more energy efficient world. With so many options available to us for using these energy efficient sources, we can save what is left of planet Earth and possible reverse some of the damage that has already been done to her.

A career in green design can be rewarding and lucrative, designers of this class can make anywhere from $31,000 to $57,000 per year on average and that is depending on their experience and demand for their services. A good green interior designer can expect to make much more. This particular job is on the fast track and those who get involved now can reap the benefits for years to come as more and more companies and individuals are moving toward green living.

The cost of using or reusing energy efficient materials is cost effective and saves the environments from harmful chemicals and pollutants. The use of energy efficient appliances is on the list of creating a green design theme in any room. Whether it is an air conditioning unit, ceiling fans, stove, or refrigerator, manufacturers of these products are making them more eco-friendly and safe for the environment. What is a green home without these items in place? There is also the use of solar energy panels to produce heat and light for the home and these can have a decorative effect in itself. The interior designer’s job is challenging but with the right education and training in using renewable energy, one can choose just the right finishing touches for any home and clientele.

Business also is going green and making their offices more Earth friendly. Gone are the days of waste in business as companies jump on the bandwagon of saving the planet. It is economically feasible for companies in this modern era to go green because it helps their bottom line. The revenues they save as they implement reusable resources have saved large amounts of money that would otherwise have been spent on less efficient methods of operation.

Green interior design jobs are the wave of the future and graduates of this career field can expect a long and hearty career that is pleasing to the senses as well as the conscience. Eco-friendly is the way to go these days and with recycling, reuse and renew as the primary focus, planet Earth will be lot better off because of it.

Where to begin
When starting your remodeling project the first step should be finding a contractor who is LEED accredited. (Leadership in energy and environmental design.) By making sure your contractor is LEED accredited you will ensure yourself a builder who has the experience and training to complete your green project. The U.S. Green Building Council offers training programs for contractors and builders. Contacting them or visiting their website may be the best place to start your search for a remodeler for your home.

Choosing the best products for your home
When it comes down to making a decision about the products, appliances, and building methods best suited for your home out of the thousands which are available for you to choose from; it will come down to overall cost and how deeply green you wish your home to be. For almost every decision which comes up in the planning process there are invariably two ways to go; green, and greener. One example of this would be your hot water heater. The green option is selecting a tank size best suited for your home and usage to minimize waste and heat loss; the greener option is installing a tankless water heater because there is no waste or heat loss, you simply get hot water as you need it. As you embark on this journey keep this in mind as you go.

Incorporating green into an existing structure
Dependant on the extent of your remodeling job and where you need to begin in the building process will determine the first steps you will take. If you are doing a complete remodel or building an addition onto your home the first step would be with your wall studs. A conventially built home uses 2×4 wooden studs; for the green builder a good item to look at would be wall studs made from recycled materials. These are beneficial in many ways such as they will not rot like standard lumber can, they are not prone to termite infestations, they keep much material out of landfills, and best of all if they ever need taken down they can be recycled over and over. Another good option is using lumber harvested from sustainable forestry methods. This is another example of green/greener.

For wall covering there is really only one green option; it is called ecorock. Conventional drywall is the most used and manufactured building material in the world, the process used to make conventional drywall puts 51 million tons of Co2 into the atmosphere and use an estimated 1% of all energy in the United States. Ecorock’s manufacturing process eases the burden on the environment drastically.

Selecting wall paints to cover the finished Ecorock once you have it installed can be where it gets tricky. There are low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emitting paints, paints which are supposed to emit no VOC’s, but the regulations on manufacturing and product labels can be loose at best. The greenest option would be to go with a natural paint. Natural paints are made from dyes and pigments made from plants and organic compounds. The downside to natural paints is they cost on average 20% more then conventional paints, they take longer to dry 2-3 days instead of 1 day, and they are harder to find. The upsides to natural paints is that considering how long paints tend to stay on the walls of our homes the extra cost and drying time will be well worth the effort. Conventional paints are the second largest cause of VOC emission second only to automobiles. VOC’s have been proven to cause cancer and many other major health effects.

Energy Star
When it comes to putting appliances in your newly green remodeled home do not just look for the energy star logo. It has been proven that many of the energy star rated products are not as efficient as the label states. It is very important to ask many questions either of your builder or the salespeople where you are planning on making your purchases. The Home Depot also has an Eco-Options designation for many of the items they sell. Not all energy star rated appliances qualify for the Eco-Options designation, when possible this is the best choice.

When you are looking to remodel your home to green standards keep in mind the long term costs. Greener homes cost less to operate and maintain over the course of their lifetime. You and your family will be healthier, breathe easier and sleep better at night knowing you are doing everything you can to protect our environment.

Paint is one of the most important components in any interior design project. Painting a wall will impact the design in an enormous way. Most paints contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to the environment. These chemicals are breathed in by people, which can result in severe health problems. Improper disposal of the paint container can also cause these chemicals to leak out into the earth, harming both the surface and the air content of the earth.

Choosing the perfect eco-friendly paint has become a very easy task. Several companies such as AFM Safecoat, Anna Sova, Eco Specs by Benjamin Moore, Bioshield and Green Planet offer interior designers a wide variety of colors to choose from. The majority of these paints offer low or no volatile organic compounds. These are chemicals that have proven to be extremely harmful for the environment. Some companies choose to create paints that contain clay or other natural materials. Because these paints contain no harmful chemicals, they are typically odorless. Eco-Friendly paints are also a great choice for pregnant women who want to paint or select a color for their nursery. These paints are not only beautiful to look at, but they provide the same quality of paint job as other leading brands.

Wood is another very common component in interior design. Wood products are used for flooring, shelving, furniture, and other decorative pieces. Wood flooring is often looked at as a valuable and luxurious item to have. Wood flooring increases the value and appearance of a home. Wood floors that contain maple and oak take several years to make. Each of these trees takes hundreds of years to grow and fully mature. This is looked at as an un-economical style of floor. More green designers are turning to bamboo and cork to fulfill their flooring needs. Bamboo takes around five years to fully mature. After five years, a floor maker is able to harvest the bamboo and cut it into long, thin strips for flooring. Due to the short period of time it takes for bamboo to grow, this is considered a very green product. We do not need to wait hundreds of years for more bamboo to grow, thus it will never be a scarce product. Bamboo flooring is beautiful and just as strong as an oak floor. Cork flooring is an extremely eco-friendly wood product. Cork flooring is produced by removing a thin layer of the bark on maple trees. This layer will continually regenerate itself, which means that the tree will still live even after the harvesting process. Cork is a beautiful and soft flooring option. It is very comfortable to walk on and has a good durability factor.

Wood furniture does not have to be maple or oak either. Rubber wood has been an increasingly popular option for furniture. Rubber trees are used to produce latex. These trees can produce latex for up to twenty five years. When the trees stop producing the product, they would be cut down and burned. Rubber wood, also know as Parawood, is an eco-friendly wood because no part of the tree goes to waste during its life cycle. The tree will continue to produce product during its entire life span and then be used as furniture when it dies. Parawood has been used for several years to construct high end furniture in Thailand.

Another green solution for interior furniture is reusing the furniture that you already have. Simply restore the furniture by applying an eco-friendly friendly fabric cover over the cushion. Consider purchasing an organic cushioning product to re-stuff the couch or chairs before covering. Stopping at a used furniture store or a thrift store will also allow you to recycle furniture for your home. You can always find someone else’s old furniture set for your home.

Lighting your home can also be a very green choice. Using Energy Star, Solar, or LED lights allows you to light up your home, with less dependability on the environment. By switching over to eco-friendly lighting in your home, you are able to reduce your electric bill by up to ten percent a month.

By taking all of these green steps when completing your interior design project, you are able to create a beautiful and environmentally friendly atmosphere inside of your home.

When planning for a green interior design in the kitchen, it would be helpful to make a note of things that need to be replaced or exchanged. Going ahead with proper planning can save a lot of time and money. In case of a limited budget, refurnishing can be done in phases.

Large conventional ovens can be replaced with a smaller electric toaster oven. This helps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from homes. A good refrigerator can help to maintain a balance between energy consumption and temperature control. This ensures sustainable living with lesser energy consumption.

Flooring is an essential aspect to be considered when implementing green interior design in the kitchen. A sustainable green kitchen is also environment friendly. This can be achieved with recycled bamboo, wooden or stone floors. Cork flooring is also popular today.

Green interior design in the kitchen includes the use of low volatile organic compound paints. Buying and using eco-friendly cooking utensils, baking and serving dishes are a perfect solution for a green sustainable kitchen. As a part of green interior design of the kitchen, installing appliances that are energy efficient can also save on the bills. The environment also benefits when lesser energy is used at homes.

Organic carpets having natural fibers can be used for an eco-friendly kitchen and other areas of the house. Well ventilated kitchen would use less energy and artificial lighting during the day. Kitchen cabinets can be remodeled with speedily renewable materials like salvaged wood, wheat straw panels and Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. You can also find environmentally friendly closet organizers that work well in both the pantry and other closets around the home. There are also companies that specialize in using reclaimed lumber for these types of storage solutions.

Fresh air from windows helps to eliminate the toxic gases, mold and fungus. Garbage bins can be replaced with compost bins. Having two or three herb and vegetable plants in the kitchen can fill the home with fresh oxygen through the day. The home grown edible herbs and vegetables can also be used for cooking a healthy meal for the family.

Using a tank less water heater in the kitchen can save energy and utility bills. Global warming is a predominating threat today. Shifting to greener home can reduce our carbon footprint on the planet earth.

Many of the interior paints that were used in the past contained high levels of volatile organic compounds, which are a class of chemicals that can cause health problems to humans. These health problems range from dizziness to nerve damage. Today, many paint manufacturers are producing interior paint that is far less toxic than that of the past. These natural paints are usually made from milk protein or clay, and come in just as many colors as previous paints.

Another way to make your home environmentally friendly is to reconsider the type of flooring you currently have. Many homes today have wall-to-wall carpeting, and while this helps to make the home look inviting, it is also a trap for allergens and toxins that are tracked onto it. A better flooring solution would be to install a hardwood floor made out of reclaimed wood or cork. If completely replacing your carpeting is not an option, you can spray the carpet with a carpet sealer. These carpet sealers are designed to seal off the toxins that can be a problem in new carpets.

A great way to brighten up your home is to use plants. Since plants work to clean the air in their environment, this also helps to make your home more green. A few of the plants that have been found to work best at removing harmful toxins from the air are English ivy, gerbera daisies, chrysanthemums, and peace lilies.

Finally, a fourth way to keep your home as environmentally friendly as possible is to refurbish old furniture instead of buying new. Many pieces that are made of wood can be inexpensively sanded and stained to create an entirely new look. Chairs can also be recovered with environmentally friendly fabric to match any design scheme.

There are numerous ways in which homeowners can work to reduce their impact on the environment. By choosing to use environmentally friendly paint and flooring, using plants for decoration, and refurbishing furniture, homeowners are making their homes more green. This is a positive step and will help make it possible for future generations to enjoy the environment.

When you first start the process of selecting materials and layouts for the structure itself, there can be lots of changes to get things the way you want them.  One of the byproducts of all of these changes is the countless amount of paperwork, design specifications and drawings that are generated.  With so much paper and other materials going into the effort, there is often a large amount of waste that can contribute to the amount of trash in the environment.

Whether it is the inks from printing, excessive energy use for computers or other items, when you decide to build green you should consider using an electronic design process.

The electronic design process will use some paper, there is no way around it due to signatures that must be gathered for official documents.  However most, if not all of the actual design and specification process can be completed electronically.  When this occurs, changes are made easily in a CAD or other design program.  Those changes can be sent electronically via email or other methods that will help reduce the use of paper.

Consider this.  If you make only 5 changes to your plans that are drafted traditionally on paper and printed out, that is at least 5 sets of plans that have been printed and disposed of in the garbage.  Unless your firm uses recycling for waste paper products, those plans usually end up in a landfill someplace.  Over time that can be a large amount of waste!

One big change that has recently begun in the building industry is putting the plans, specifications and work flow of the construction process online for you to see at any time.  A recent building experience I am going through uses this process and it is really nice!  We have one set of the final plans on paper, but all other work has been done electronically and is filed online for me to see easily and quickly.

The nice aspect of using an online work flow system for building is that I can make changes electronically to certain things, see when specific aspects of the construction process are going to begin and follow along with the process from the application of the building permit to the final walkthrough before closing.

When you decide that you want to build a green home or office, don’t overlook the initial phases of the design process.  You can help make your home or office truly eco-friendly by eliminating or reducing waste that are often not even considered in the process.