So you’ve made the environmentally conscious choice to be green this year… but how will this decision impact your entertaining? Maintaining environmental self-discipline can be difficult while entertaining. However, maintaining a green focus doesn’t have to mean bland food and brown, recycled napkins. Organic food can be delicious – special enough to serve at parties – and sustainable table linens can be glamorous. Green choices can actually enhance your guests’ experience in your home; rather than inhibit it.
Green products are far from plain and unattractive. The ‘green movement’ has been embraced by the architecture and design community – so there is an abundance of smartly styled, design-forward items that are also eco-friendly.
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind as you plan this year’s parties, starting with the two rooms your guests are sure to see – the kitchen and the powder room. Some changes are quick and simple; while others have a longer-term impact that you can enjoy long after your guests are gone.
A Gorgeous, Green Kitchen It’s a fact – whether you’re entertaining two guests or 20 – the one spot they’ll most likely congregate is the kitchen. And fortunately, making a green impact in this room is one of the easiest. Here are some tips for updating your kitchen that are friendlier to the planet:
- If you need to purchase a new table and chairs to accommodate a large dinner party, look for second-hand tables and refurbished chairs with character.
- Installing cabinetry or built-ins made with certifiable, eco-friendly wood (meaning they were not made from rain forest materials or endangered woods).
- Consider sourcing quartz counters, which are more eco-friendly than granite
- Installing bamboo wood flooring, which provides the natural beauty of wood while also being environmentally friendly.
- If you’re setting up the bar for guests, consider a filtering faucet in the kitchen, which will provide filtered water at your sink – virtually eliminating the need for bottled water.
The Perfect Powder Room After the kitchen, the next most-visited room at your dinner party is the powder room, or guest half-bath.
- Enhancing the mood of your soiree with candles – not only do they soften the lighting and add a festive flair; but they also are electricity-free!
- Incorporating ceramic tile in floors, countertops and walls. Some ceramic tiles are made from recycled products, such as discarded bottle glass.
- Installing electronic faucets or faucets certified to meet WaterSense® criteria to conserve water. Look for a faucet that’s certified so that it reduces water usage — yet looks stylish in your bathroom.
Earth-Friendly Entertaining Once your decorating is complete, it’s time to add a few, final green touches to your event:
- Invite an acoustic guitarist to play at the party – it not only will give your event a more intimate feel, it will also conserve energy.
- Buy beverages in aluminum cans and glass bottles that can be recycled; and create a ‘festive’ reminder for guests to dispose of these items in recycling bins.
Finally, remember that every little bit counts – and by showing your guests a glamorous –and green – experience, you can empower them to follow in your eco-conscious footsteps.
This article was provided by Moen. For more information /em>.
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