Bamboo has become an increasingly popular material being used in products ranging from cabinets to flooring to furniture. But why is this building material so popular now as opposed to years ago when it was available? To answer that question accurately we’ll need to look at a growing trend in furniture and home products referred to as eco-friendly products or the green culture.

Eco-friendly products have been around for some time. Most of society just wasn’t taking notice. Now there are those who did and we should thank them for helping to turn us on to these earth friendly products. In the last 10 years a positive growing trend has developed to take an interest in our environment and making decisions with how we live that will offer a positive impact to the Earth around us. Bamboo lends itself very nicely into being mentioned as a very green resource. Bamboo is actually considered a plant and one of the best characteristics it has is that it grows very rapidly. Found predominantly throughout much of Asia, there exists many species of the bamboo plant. Bamboo grows to about 70 feet tall and can be harvested in 5-7 years. The base of the bamboo plant produces shoots which are used as food seasonally.

Bamboo that is harvested is so hard that efforts are being made throughout Asia to try to substitute it for conventional lumber. If we figure that a hardwood tree takes roughly 25-50 years of growth before it can be harvested bamboo seems to be the best green alternative for products that can be substituted out with this renewable timber. That may be the reason that you see bamboo being used in many flooring applications and cabinet products. Viewers of shows on channels like HGTV will notice the growing trends of consumers purchasing and installing bamboo throughout their homes.

Furniture is another product being made from bamboo. From bamboo beds to nightstands, dressers, tables, chairs and more bamboo can be found in many types of furniture. You’ll find that these items are also not always in the style or Oriental or Asian designs. American manufacturers of furniture are increasingly using bamboo and you’ll find traditional and even southwestern products using bamboo in their products. From a furniture stand point bamboo offers the same strength that domestic hard rock maple offers in the way of tensile strength. The exotic look of bamboo also lends itself well to creating a unique look not only in bedroom furniture but throughout the home making your home décor enhancing the look of your home.

In this article we’ve explored the green culture of eco-friendly bamboo. We’ve examined its positive benefits for the environment such as its ability to be harvested within 5-7 years and quickly grow back again making it an excellent renewable resource. It can be substituted for other materials as it is quite hard, even harder than maple wood which will help to preserve those resources. It has a wide range of uses from being made into bamboo beds, bamboo flooring and even bamboo cabinetry. With its rich exotic features bamboo provides a unique look for any home décor that will help make it more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing to all those who pass by and see it in your home.

We’re currently living in a day and age where the ecology of our planet is becoming a very important issue in everyday life. The way we use and re-use our resources as well as how we manage our homes and lives in green culture provides us an opportunity to make choices in helping to promote a cleaner healthier planet. Part of those choices stem from using more energy efficient light bulbs. Recycling our plastics and paper. Even making choices about the furniture we purchase. In this article we’ll take a look at some things we can do to recycle and re-use our older furniture as well as some tips on eco-friendly furniture products.

When purchasing new furniture or beds we often need to think about the furniture being replaced as part of the circle in promoting good ecological habits. There are several options that we can use to recycle or re-use your old furniture.

1.) Consider donating your furniture. Businesses like the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries puts your older furniture back into circulation for others to use. The proceeds they generate from your furniture in turn helps to provide jobs and allows your furniture to find new life with a new family.

2.) Recycle your furniture. Wood furniture “can” be recycled at your local recycling center. There are also many local authorities who can assist in helping you to safely dispose of your furniture for recycling.

3.) Offer it to your family or friends. Your older furniture may be in tip top shape and if that’s the case you may still have sentimental feelings towards it and want to keep it in the family. If that is the case you can offer it to those you know who may have a need for the furniture.

4.) Try selling it. Many times your furniture may hold good resale value if it is a name brand or high-end piece of furniture. If that is the case why not sell it in a local newspaper ad or try selling it through online auctions like ebay or other online marketplaces.

Many of the options above give the added benefit of the furniture being safely and responsibly recycled or re-used which is an important step before shopping for new furniture and creating good eco-friendly habits. We need to avoid having older furniture added to landfills and we should make every effort to find a safe means of recycling our older furniture. After you’ve made arrangements to have your older furniture recycled or re-used you’ll want to start looking at some alternatives available in eco-friendly materials for furniture. There are many options available in furniture but one such material is becoming quite popular in green furniture. It’s called bamboo.

Bamboo is an interesting ecological friendly choice for a wide variety of products. What makes this product considered a green choice in furniture though is the process through which it is harvested and replanted. Many believe bamboo is a type of wood but it actually is classified as a grass. From the time it is seeded to the time it reaches maturity for harvesting is approximately 5-7 years. The stalk of the bamboo hardens and becomes tighter (harder than maple wood) which is then harvested and processed into a variety of products including boards which can be used for building and construction. It can be reseeded once harvested in as little as three months and because bamboo grows so quickly often reaching heights of 70 feet tall, this replenishment is quick with little to no impact on the environment.

Many domestic hardwoods like oak or ash do make great choices for furniture. In this modern age of resource conscious ecological living though many of us recognize that once an oak or ash tree is harvested it takes almost 40-45 years for a new one to be planted and grown to maturity. Many lumber companies do act responsibly with their cutting and harvesting of those trees but the maturity. However, if alternatives exist (like bamboo) and can be used in certain types of furniture in place of other woods then we should consider those resources ahead of others. Bamboo beds, nightstands, dressers and bookcases are just some of the many pieces of furniture made from this plant. The bamboo plant is even used in making fabric which is used in many types of mattress coverings.

In this article we looked at the two aspects of purchasing new furniture. We examined the responsibilities of what we should do with the older furniture. In the way of donating it, recycling it, giving it away or selling it. Doing these things allows our older furniture to be recycled and re-used creating a positive environmental impact. When getting ready to find new furniture we explored alternatives to domestic woods in the way of bamboo. Bamboo is fast growing, can be reseeded in less than three months after harvesting and provides material even harder than maple. Bamboo is a positive resource for eco-friendly furniture and if it is an available option should be considered ahead of other products. These suggested practices are not only good for you and others but for our environment as well.

It’s quite easy to bring a touch of the outdoors indoors by adding stylish bamboo blinds to your windows. Made from all natural materials, bamboo blinds come in a wide range of styles and shades which will compliment just about any room.

Bamboo Blinds are made with a variety of grasses, jute and reeds which are woven in with the bamboo, The blinds can range right through from pale colored to dark, burnt colored wood. If you want a truly natural finish then the edges can be left raw or you can edge them with some fabric tape for neatness. Generally speaking bamboo blinds come in two opening styles either the roman-fold type or the roller style.

Another option you might want to consider is that bamboo blinds can come either lined or unlined. Given that the weave can be quite loose, an unlined bamboo blind will let through a great deal of the daylight and therefore will provide only partial privacy. Whereas a lined blind will do the opposite and will effectively block out the daylight and provide almost complete privacy.

You will find that bamboo blinds are available from a wide range of outlets. Custom fit bamboo blinds are quite easily affordable starting from as little as $20 for the smallest windows but becoming more expensive as the size of the area you want to cover increases. So you could perhaps be looking at somewhere in the region of $400 – $500 to cover the patio doors. However for patio doors they can be the perfect solution for a neutral colored, simply decorated room leading out into the garden. Check out your local home accessory store for good deals, or try some of the online blinds stores which you can find on the internet by simply keying “bamboo blinds” into your favourite search engine.

Many people still prefer to buy something like bamboo blinds in a “real” store, however, don’t forget that the blinds websites contain handy measuring guides to ensure the right fit when out buying your new bamboo blinds. They’ll also show all the various types available so you know the choices you have in choosing your bamboo blinds.

Bamboo is a quickly growing type of grass found all over the world that features durable, hollow cored stems. These stems are used to make a wide variety of items, including furniture, fishing rods, and flooring.

Bamboo flooring is an extremely durable, beautiful alternative to traditional hardwood floors. Made from giant bamboo that must be harvested e still young, bamboo flooring comes in different grades and prices that depend on environmental factors. Choosing the highest grade of bamboo flooring that you can afford will ensure that your flooring is durable,

beautiful and wears evenly.

Bamboo is treated to prevent pest infestation during the manufacturing process, so it doesn’t attract pesky critters such as ants or termites. Bamboo flooring is crafted to resist warping and even fire, making it a great choice for anyone who desires hardy flooring that will last a long time.

Bamboo floor planks are similar in appearance to traditional hardwood floor planks and are installed in basically the same way. Whether or not your bamboo flooring features the nodes is a matter of personal aesthetic preference.

The color of bamboo flooring depends on the type of finish applied and can range from pale tan to dark toffee. You can even find bamboo flooring in exotic rainbow colors from some manufacturers.

Care and cleaning of bamboo floors is done the exact same way as that of hardwood floors. Simply sweep your floor regularly and use any store-bought cleaner made for hardwood floors to keep your bamboo flooring clean and beautiful. You can even wax bamboo floors to create a high-shine finish.

When shopping for bamboo floors it’s a good idea to compare different types of flooring made by different manufacturers to make sure you get the best quality for the best price. It might be tempting to save a few dollars by purchasing low grade flooring, but in the long run, it will only cost you more money because you will most likely have to repair or replace it a lot

sooner than high grade bamboo flooring.

Many hardwood floors feature a nice grain and wood look that is very pretty especially in the various colors and patterns. Bamboo flooring however features a much more subtle graining pattern and because of the way it’s manufactured, features more of a pronounced ring like pattern. So you have a grain that suggests a direction and every so often a uniquely bamboo ring pattern. Bamboo can also be stained and finished just like regular hardwood flooring.

Bamboo is actually a grass like plant that grows quickly and is usually considered an aggressive plant. That is, it tends to grow rapidly, overwhelming many of the other plant life in it’s immediate area. This makes for a very sustainable resources as a full bamboo crop can be harvested in less than 7 years. This is a much better alternative to hardwood trees that can take upwards of over 20 plus years to mature.

Bamboo, traditionally thought of as an Asian but specifically Chinese plant has found a new home in products for the west. As bamboo has gained in popularity, many more people are protecting bamboo forest areas and are much more concerned about conservation. The growth of bamboo use for furniture, blinds, many home decor products, and bamboo flooring has created a robust economic incentive to grow natural products instead of clear cutting to make way for farming.

Bamboo flooring is comparable to hardwood floors in durability, looks, and installation. It has broad appeal and beauty that will not easily go out of style. Due to the interest in bamboo flooring, you can now find it in commercial buildings, hotels, restaurants, offices and many high traffic areas.

Another great benefit of bamboo flooring is price. Due to the rapid growth rate, the cost of fully stained and sealed bamboo floor material can be found for less than half the cost of planked hardwood. Bamboo floor can be installed using any of the usual hardwood flooring installation methods. These include a floating floor where the floor is simply glued together to form a single piece, straight gluing to the old floor material and a basic nailing method.

If you’re looking for a uniquely beautiful flooring material that will provide years of ambiance and warmth to your home, look no farther than a high quality bamboo floor.

If you have one large room that serves double duty as a living room and dining room you can use a room divider to section each space off from the other thus creating 2 intimate spaces. And the best part is that if you get tired of the look you can always just fold up the room divider and store it away or use it in another room

There are several ways to us a room divider to decorate your room. Aside from using it in the middle of a large room as mentioned above, you can also use it just flat against the wall to add a bit of drama. If you want to soften up the corners in a room put a folding screen kitty corner to round it out. Don’t be afraid to put a decorative plant or some a piece of furniture in front of the divider. If you have other themed accent pieces, try draping them over the divider.

There are many different styles of bamboo room dividers and one to suit every type of décor. You may think that all bamboo dividers look like pieces of hollow bamboo but this is not so!

Some feature thin strips of bamboo with an open work design at the top and have a light tropical look. These look good in a tropical type décor or in a sun room or any type of room that has an exotic feel. Because these types of folding screens do not have a heavy look, they can go well with island style bamboo furniture.

Other bamboo room dividers have a woven look much like those bamboo shades that are made from tiny sticks of bamboo. These actually can work with many different decors. Anything from a room decorated with a country feel to a modern type room will look great with these screens.

Bamboo room dividers can even go with a traditional décor. Some dividers are made from crushed bamboo and have 3 solid panels. These can be quite plain or have fancy designs and arched tops. These panels are a bit heavy in looks but go perfect with heavy mahogany furniture in a traditional, antique or plantation style décor.

Bamboo is an interesting plant that is grown predominately throughout Asia. This plant has a wide variety of uses and has characteristics that help promote it as a green or eco-friendly material. In this article we’ll examine bamboo and how it is used in a variety of products from bamboo flooring, bamboo beds and furniture and even bamboo kitchen items.

Bamboo describes a wide variety of species that are found throughout Asia. Bamboo often called a tree is actually considered a plant. It grows rapidly and produces shoots or food at the base of the plant that can carefully be harvested and once properly opened can be consumed. These shoots reveal themselves seasonally and are offered in local markets for sale just like fruits and vegetables are offered in farmers markets that we have here in North America.

Besides being harvested for food, bamboo is also harvested for its culms or the longest and tallest growing part of the plant. These culms can them be processed and made into boards due to their strong tensile strength. Mature bamboo is just as strong or stronger than hard rock maple and provides an excellent material for building bamboo floors, bamboo beds and furniture as well as bamboo kitchen items. Being so strong it holds up well to day to day use and exhibits many of the characteristics of wood but with an exotic appearance.

Bamboo grows very quickly. In 5-7 years a bamboo plant can be harvested to be made into boards. It will grow back or may also be seeded to grow back. Considering many species of oak and maple take up to 50 years to grow before they can be harvested makes bamboo a very green or eco-friendly choice for building such things as bamboo flooring, bamboo beds, furniture and bamboo kitchen items.

Because bamboo is found predominately in Asia it is used as a viable building material there for homes and industry. Many American manufacturers though who either practice using green alternatives or have found the exotic nature of bamboo appealing have committed to bringing in bamboo boards into North America for manufacturing products here. This practice is still relatively new but is growing in popularity.

When we consider the need for alternatives and better choices for building materials, bamboo can immediately be seen as a viable solution. The fact that it grows quickly, can be harvested and grow back make it a strong choice as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods. Bamboo also provides a source of food which further demonstrates its usefulness. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, consider bamboo next time you’re out and about and shopping for new products.

Bamboo is an interesting plant that is grown predominately throughout Asia. This plant has a wide variety of uses and has characteristics that help promote it as a green or eco-friendly material. In this article we’ll examine bamboo and how it is used in a variety of products from bamboo flooring, bamboo beds and furniture and even bamboo kitchen items.

Bamboo describes a wide variety of species that are found throughout Asia. Bamboo often called a tree is actually considered a plant. It grows rapidly and produces shoots or food at the base of the plant that can carefully be harvested and once properly opened can be consumed. These shoots reveal themselves seasonally and are offered in local markets for sale just like fruits and vegetables are offered in farmers markets that we have here in North America.

Besides being harvested for food, bamboo is also harvested for its culms or the longest and tallest growing part of the plant. These culms can them be processed and made into boards due to their strong tensile strength. Mature bamboo is just as strong or stronger than hard rock maple and provides an excellent material for building bamboo floors, bamboo beds and furniture as well as bamboo kitchen items. Being so strong it holds up well to day to day use and exhibits many of the characteristics of wood but with an exotic appearance.

Bamboo grows very quickly. In 5-7 years a bamboo plant can be harvested to be made into boards. It will grow back or may also be seeded to grow back. Considering many species of oak and maple take up to 50 years to grow before they can be harvested makes bamboo a very green or eco-friendly choice for building such things as bamboo flooring, bamboo beds, furniture and bamboo kitchen items.

Because bamboo is found predominately in Asia it is used as a viable building material there for homes and industry. Many American manufacturers though who either practice using green alternatives or have found the exotic nature of bamboo appealing have committed to bringing in bamboo boards into North America for manufacturing products here. This practice is still relatively new but is growing in popularity.

When we consider the need for alternatives and better choices for building materials, bamboo can immediately be seen as a viable solution. The fact that it grows quickly, can be harvested and grow back make it a strong choice as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods. Bamboo also provides a source of food which further demonstrates its usefulness. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, consider bamboo next time you’re out and about and shopping for new products.

Bamboo is an interesting plant that is grown predominately throughout Asia. This plant has a wide variety of uses and has characteristics that help promote it as a green or eco-friendly material. In this article we’ll examine bamboo and how it is used in a variety of products from bamboo flooring, bamboo beds and furniture and even bamboo kitchen items.

Bamboo describes a wide variety of species that are found throughout Asia. Bamboo often called a tree is actually considered a plant. It grows rapidly and produces shoots or food at the base of the plant that can carefully be harvested and once properly opened can be consumed. These shoots reveal themselves seasonally and are offered in local markets for sale just like fruits and vegetables are offered in farmers markets that we have here in North America.

Besides being harvested for food, bamboo is also harvested for its culms or the longest and tallest growing part of the plant. These culms can them be processed and made into boards due to their strong tensile strength. Mature bamboo is just as strong or stronger than hard rock maple and provides an excellent material for building bamboo floors, bamboo beds and furniture as well as bamboo kitchen items. Being so strong it holds up well to day to day use and exhibits many of the characteristics of wood but with an exotic appearance.

Bamboo grows very quickly. In 5-7 years a bamboo plant can be harvested to be made into boards. It will grow back or may also be seeded to grow back. Considering many species of oak and maple take up to 50 years to grow before they can be harvested makes bamboo a very green or eco-friendly choice for building such things as bamboo flooring, bamboo beds, furniture and bamboo kitchen items.

Because bamboo is found predominately in Asia it is used as a viable building material there for homes and industry. Many American manufacturers though who either practice using green alternatives or have found the exotic nature of bamboo appealing have committed to bringing in bamboo boards into North America for manufacturing products here. This practice is still relatively new but is growing in popularity.

When we consider the need for alternatives and better choices for building materials, bamboo can immediately be seen as a viable solution. The fact that it grows quickly, can be harvested and grow back make it a strong choice as a green alternative to domestic hardwoods. Bamboo also provides a source of food which further demonstrates its usefulness. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, consider bamboo next time you’re out and about and shopping for new products.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

With daylight savings in full swing, more and more people are looking forward to spending time on their patios or decks. And for those people looking to make more of a splash with their outdoor décor, driftwood furniture offers an eye-catching alternative to the traditional red picnic table or plastic stackable patio chairs.

Driftwood patio furniture is constructed from wood taken from weather-beaten areas, islands, river beaches, etc. The true beauty of driftwood, besides the natural, back-to-mother-earth appeal, is that no two pieces are alike. So you can create your own unique look for your patio.

“Driftwood enables homeowners to get a little creative. You can purchase a distinctive driftwood table base, secure a piece of glass on top of it and, voila, you have a stylish outdoor or indoor coffee or accent table,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy.

Bamboo is another wood that provides a stylish and durable option for your outdoor furniture. While it’s fairly well known that bamboo is one of the strongest materials in the world to make furniture, it’s become even more popular because the process of making bamboo furniture is environmentally friendly.

Another selling point to bamboo is its versatility. All types of patio furniture and accessories are constructed with bamboo-tables, rocking chairs, chairs, shades, umbrellas, stools, side tables, coffee tables, photo frames and even rugs. So you can literally create your own “bamboo room” outside.

“Bamboo furniture gives a patio a cozy and personal atmosphere.  Even though it’s polished, it retains the natural grains and color of bamboo and this adds to its rustic charm,” said Shragal. ”When you throw in the great look of bamboo with its durability, you end up with a real winner for your back deck, a sun room or patio.”

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need to furnish your patio or deck at insider prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or just a second opinion, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.