The job of an interior designer incorporates a thorough knowledge of color palette integration, furniture styles and placement, lighting, use of textures, and a good eye for aesthetics and spatial relations. In some instances, the job has advanced to a level where some interior designers are involved in architectural design elements such as the layout of building floor plans, window placement, stairways, escalators, and walkways.

But with public awareness recognizing the need to become more green and energy efficient in today’s society, interior designers are beginning to understand the advantages of becoming familiar with environmentally friendly design materials, techniques, and renewable energy sources.

To acknowledge the importance of green design, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) released a set of suggestions for greener home remodeling called REGREEN. The set of guidelines were written to help interior design professionals and homeowners evaluate green products and energy systems for typical homes.

The REGREEN document shows 10 case studies based upon several common remodeling plans that involve the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and other home projects. Many tips and suggestions are given on how to remodel with a green emphasis. The REGREEN guidelines are not hard and fast rules to follow, but act as a starting point to develop a customized plan.

Suggestions for greening a home can be as simple as installing natural linoleum flooring and replacing an old refrigerator with an Energy Star efficient unit to more ambitious green projects for solar panel conversion and solar heating.

If you are an interior design student, or a professional who has been in the business for many years, an understanding of how to go green is definitely a color that should be in your palette of skills.