If you were going to only make eco-improvements to one room in your home, make it the bathroom. Sixty-five per cent of household water is used there; toilets account for 30 per cent, and the shower and tub use the rest. Upgrading to efficient fixtures, such as a dual-flush toilet, conserves water and saves you money.
You can also make your bathroom a healthier place. Whenever you can, keep things natural. Avoid vinyl, which emits harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and choose organic cotton towels and bath mats, and PEVA shower curtains, which are chlorine-free.
For the walls, go with low-VOC paint and recycled-glass tiles, available at home improvement stores. Vintage decor finds, such as frames, mirrors and hooks, take the room from pit stop to pretty.
Showerhead
Reduce water consumption with a high-efficiency showerhead. This Delta model ($50) sprays just 5.7 litres per minute.
Faucet
A high-efficiency faucet, such as this chrome version by Riobel ($469), saves water and money.
Paint
Benjamin Moore’s Natura line of paint is odourless and contains no VOCs, even after tinting (shown in Cotton Balls, 2145-70; $29 per litre).
Drying
Green gets cozy with Coyuchi organic towels made of unbleached, chemical-free, dye-free cotton; at Grassroots Environmental Products and other retailers ($8 and up).
Storage
Boost storage space with a classic cabinet made of low-emission engineered wood, like the Paterson from Crate and Barrel ($399).
Display
Add a personal touch with photos and art in vintage frames from thrift stores and flea markets. Hang bathrobes and towels on vintage coat hooks or doorknobs (see page 5).
Tiles
Recycling goes glam with Vidrepur’s 100-per-cent-recycled glass tiles, available in over a dozen hues (shown in Fog Clear Sky Blue; about $6 per sq. ft.).
Flooring
For flooring, look for wood that is reclaimed or FSC-certified, which means it was responsibly harvested. This FSC-certified maple flooring is from Nadurra Wood Corp. (from $7 per sq. ft.).
Windows
Levolor’s Sheerweave roller shade ($236 for a 45- x 90-cm window) blocks winter’s chill, protects from fading and allows natural light to filter through.
Lighting
Use a compact fluorescent light bulb in this handsome Kichler fixture ($60) to reduce energy usage. CFLs use one-tenth the electricity and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Smart toilet
Toilets consume more water than any other fixture. To save precious H2O, install a high-efficiency, low-flow toilet, such as American Standard’s Cadet 3 FloWise (4.8 litres per flush; $368, seat not included).
To find a retailer use The Bathroom Home Directory
For the walls, go with low-VOC paint and recycled-glass tiles, available at home improvement stores. Vintage decor finds, such as frames, mirrors and hooks, take the room from pit stop to pretty.
Showerhead
Reduce water consumption with a high-efficiency showerhead. This Delta model ($50) sprays just 5.7 litres per minute.
Faucet
A high-efficiency faucet, such as this chrome version by Riobel ($469), saves water and money.
Paint
Benjamin Moore’s Natura line of paint is odourless and contains no VOCs, even after tinting (shown in Cotton Balls, 2145-70; $29 per litre).
Drying
Green gets cozy with Coyuchi organic towels made of unbleached, chemical-free, dye-free cotton; at Grassroots Environmental Products and other retailers ($8 and up).
Storage
Boost storage space with a classic cabinet made of low-emission engineered wood, like the Paterson from Crate and Barrel ($399).
Display
Add a personal touch with photos and art in vintage frames from thrift stores and flea markets. Hang bathrobes and towels on vintage coat hooks or doorknobs (see page 5).
Tiles
Recycling goes glam with Vidrepur’s 100-per-cent-recycled glass tiles, available in over a dozen hues (shown in Fog Clear Sky Blue; about $6 per sq. ft.).
Flooring
For flooring, look for wood that is reclaimed or FSC-certified, which means it was responsibly harvested. This FSC-certified maple flooring is from Nadurra Wood Corp. (from $7 per sq. ft.).
Windows
Levolor’s Sheerweave roller shade ($236 for a 45- x 90-cm window) blocks winter’s chill, protects from fading and allows natural light to filter through.
Lighting
Use a compact fluorescent light bulb in this handsome Kichler fixture ($60) to reduce energy usage. CFLs use one-tenth the electricity and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Smart toilet
Toilets consume more water than any other fixture. To save precious H2O, install a high-efficiency, low-flow toilet, such as American Standard’s Cadet 3 FloWise (4.8 litres per flush; $368, seat not included).
To find a retailer use The Bathroom Home Directory
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