Flooring

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Its hard to imagine walking on stones with your bare feet and enjoying the sensation. In fact, just thinking about it makes my feet ache a bit. Images of jagged edges poking my toes and tearing at my sensitive skin come to mind — not pleasant. Thankfully, this gorgeous tile from modwalls will completely dispel that notion. Not only are the stones used to create this tile completely smooth and polished — they are absolutely beautiful, too.

Many people don’t realize that good old linoleum is among the most eco-friendly flooring options out there. It is also one of the most affordable. Linoleum is durable and biodegradable, made up mostly of natural linseed oil, and truly low in toxins. The problem is that many people tend to associate linoleum with their parents’ or grandparents’ floors that were installed in the 1940s and 50s, including the scrubbing involved with cleaning them, and the toxic paste required to install it. Well I can tell you that linoleum has come a long, long way since then. As you can see from the photos above, it can look as clean and contemporary or simple and classic as you want it to, and there is no stinky adhesive involved.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably always thought that those plastic office chair mats are as hideous as they get. But if you want to roll across a rug without snagging the carpet every few inches, they are also necessary. I am SO happy to find this eco-friendly alternative! This bamboo chair mat serves the same purpose in a decidedly more stylish manner. They are durable (as are all bamboo products) and will add a functional, yet elegant touch to your home office.

Price: $179.95

I took me some time to find eco-friendly tile made of something other than glass, but the Ecoycle tile by Crossville attempts to fit the bill. EcoCycle contains 40% recycled ceramic content, certified by Scientific Certification Systems, so it will contribute LEED Certification for new buildings or major renovations. It comes in 8 earth-toned colors. The floor shown above is comprised of Wetlands, Marshland and Pine Barren 12″ x 12″ tiles. And because the tiles are prices so well, you won’t have to dig a deep hole in your pocket to have beautiful floors.

Price: $3.23-$3.49 per square foot

Duro Design offers bamboo flooring in 54 rich and distinctive colors, but my personal favorite is the Ebony flooring. This deep, dark tone will be at home in modern and traditionally-decorated homes alike, and it is one of those neutrals that looks good with any color you put around it. We already know that bamboo is a truly sustainable material that regenerates at least 8 times faster than hardwood, but Duro Design takes the extra step of waiting until the bamboo is 5-7 years old before harvesting to ensure superior strength and hardness. The flooring is also protected by 6 coats of a low-VOC urethane finishing system and can help you achieve LEED® certification.

This round bamboo rug can add a bit of natural, yet contemporary, flair to any room in your home. The rug is made by Anji Mountain Bamboo Co. using sustainable materials and manufacturing processes. The company waits to harvest the bamboo until it is at least 5 years old, because older bamboo is harder and more stable than young bamboo for a better, longer lasting product. It also includes a non-slip, synthetic pad that is mold, mildew and water-resistant, so there is no need to buy a rug pad. It is also suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and packaged in a reusable, zippered bag with a carry handle.

FLOR carpet tiles allow people to create unique rugs and change their minds, and their floors, as often as they like. Available in a diverse array of fashion-forward color palettes, patterns and unique textures, you can have creative control over their floors. FLOR also offer an R&R program: When you are ready to get rid of your carpet, send the tiles back to FLOR to be recycled into new FLOR tiles instead of going to the landfill. They even provide return labels and a shipping bag. All you have to do is drop them off at your nearest UPS store.