Indoor Air Quality: How Safe Is Your Interior Decorating?
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcIntyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Design School Review Columnist
An increased prevalence and severity of allergies, especially in children, paired with a new focus on green, environmentally-conscious design means that consumer concern over the quality of the air in their homes is increasing. Customers of interior design firms are currently looking for products that will not worsen their air quality through the release of potentially harmful chemicals. Are you prepared to advise them?
Air-Quality-Friendly Interior Decorating Fabrics: Natural Is Best
When you make your fabric selections, be sure to pick natural fibers rather than manmade ones. Remember, natural does not have to mean inelegant interior design. Silk, for example, is a natural fiber made from the cocoons of silkworms.Natural fibers include:
- Cotton (look for organic, unbleached, and undyed)
- Wool
- Alpaca (comes in wonderful natural colors, from dark brown and black to caramel and honey)
- Silk (available in natural colors ranging from nearly white to golden yellow)
Steer Clear of Manmade Products and Applied Chemicals
In order to meet fire safety standards, some mattress manufacturers apply flame retardant chemicals to mattresses. Seek out mattresses that are made with naturally flame-retardant materials instead, such as wool. In furniture cushions, foams made from rubber, a natural product, are traditionally preferable to manmade foams.Maintaining Safe Air
If your clients ask you what else they can do to maintain the air quality in their homes once you move on to your next interior decorating project, you can give them these suggestions:- Vigilant dusting and vacuuming keeps potential irritants out of the air.
- Minimize dry cleaning because of the harsh chemicals used. Hang any freshly dry-cleaned clothes outside for a few hours before bringing them inside.
Interior designers are now basing whole careers on the principles of green interior decorating. If this is an area that interests you, consider specializing, and seek out courses in the topic at your interior decorating school as part of your regular degree program, or as a smart investment in continuing education.
Source: About the Author
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
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