We wrapped up Earth Month 2020, and this year, there is a lot happening in the world. By honoring the planet, we realize, we’re all connected by the place we call home. Small actions add up to big things, and together we can make the world a better place to live for years to come. Put the planet first by making eco-friendly choices when designing or decorating your home. After all, going green is the new black.

RCH Home & Design works with the hottest names in home decor & furniture to get designer exclusive discounts only available to professionals. Luxury lines like West Elm, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie, Magnolia Home Rugs, Williams-Sonoma Home, Tommy Bahama Furniture, and more! We pass along the savings to you. You could say, it pays to know a designer! ;-)

We’ve curated a few of our earth-friendly favorites for a more sustainable home. Everything is available through RCH Home & Design.

1. Opt for Organic

When it comes to linens opt for organic material. Organic cotton, linen, hemp, are all widely available for bedding, towels, shower curtains, pillows, and more. Organic material is farmed without the use of pesticides or chemicals, harmful to your health and honey bee populations. Below are some things we are loving over right now with organic material from our vendors.

Reclaimed wood is environmentally friendly because it preserves nature’s resources by using wood that has already been harvested. It reduces deforestation, which creates devastating global ecological consequences. Using reclaimed wood reduces landfill waste and carbon emissions. RCH Home & Design works with a skilled craftsman that specializes in reclaimed woodwork. He finds unique pieces from all over the world and turns them into beautiful works of art. At the RCH Home & Design Center, there is examples of his work on display.

Our fireplace was created by using a Japanese technique to finish reclaimed wood, called Shou Sugi Ban. The wood is burned, then coated with oil to achieve a rustic look.

Whitewashing is another popular technique to finish reclaimed wood. We chose a combination of whitewashed and exposed reclaimed wood beams for our flooring department ceiling.

Shiplap paneling is all the rage these days, made popular by Joanna Gaines on HGTV. You can paint, stain or Shou Sugi Ban treat shiplap panels depending on the look you are going for. At the RCH Home & Design showroom, we have two shiplap walls. Our reception desk features a Shou Sugi Ban charred wood with a black stain. The area rug wall has a white painted shiplap accent wall.

3. Look for Low Emissions

Products that are Greenguard certified help buyers identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions. Manufacturers are held to strict guidelines to eliminate pollution. This also ensures that the air quality in your home is safe for you and your family to breathe. RCH Home & Design offers flooring and carpet options with low VOC’s, free of phthalates, recycled materials, and Greenguard certification.

Phenix Flooring’s Expedition line of luxury vinyl planking, or LVP, is Greenguard Gold certified. They offer a variety of contemporary colors. Johnson Hardwood’s Farmhouse Manor has amazing rustic looks our designer loves to use in homes trying to achieve the Modern Farmhouse look and is Greenguard certified.

Biophilia, the desire or tendency to commune with nature, has had a resurgence in popularity over the last year. Biophilic design combines architecture with natural elements to create peace and harmony in the home. In the 1980s, American biologist E. O. Wilson proposed that humans are genetically wired to prefer natural settings over built environments. In Wilson’s words, we have “an innate and genetically determined affinity … with the natural world”. Psychologists believe the vast amount of time we spend in built environments may contribute to feelings of isolation, tension, and lethargy. The idea behind biophilia is to aid our physical and mental well being, by creating holistic spaces that reinforce our experience with nature.

5. Reduce Energy Use

“All forms of electricity generation have an environmental impact on our air, water and land, but it varies. Producing and using electricity more efficiently reduces both the amount of fuel needed to generate electricity and the amount of greenhouse gases and other air pollution emitted as a result. “ according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Reducing your electricity usage is not only better for the planet, but it also saves you hundreds of dollars on utility bills. Solar and clean energy alternatives are becoming more widely available, but if it’s not an option for you, here are some ways you can lower your home’s carbon footprint.

Switch to LED bulbs for your light fixtures. They use significantly less energy and give off a warm inviting light.

Use Smart Home Technology to automatically shut off lights and appliances. RCH works with Pro Custom & Security to bring you the latest in smart home technology and home wiring. Contact us to find out more about pricing and packages.