by Carla Boner

Created on: January 14, 2009

Personal views and culture are often factors taken into account when choosing new colors for a home. What about the actual paint used though? Is it green and eco-friendly? Do not sacrifice views when it comes to painting and decorating the home. With a combination of green, eco-friendly products with low to zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Solvents and a broad range of colors that can aide in the design of an indoor sanctuary celebrating and promoting the beauty of the earth while protecting her.

Five Green Eco-friendly Paints

#1 A member of the United Kingdom's Green Building Council, Ecos Organic Paints is VOC and Solvent free. With 108 color choices, interior and exterior paint and a variety of options for walls, wood, clear varnishes, wood stain varnishes, exterior wood stains, floor paints and specialty paints including Radiator paint. Ecos delivers world-wide so everyone can benefit from their green, eco-friendly products.

#2 Cox Paints, Yolo Colorhouse is a zero VOC, non-toxic paint. Earth's Color Collection includes 40 eco-friendly earth inspired colors. The Little YOLO Sprout Collection is a zero VOC, non-toxic, gender-neutral collection for children and babies. Cox Paints also carries green, eco-friendly exterior and primer paints. To help choose colors they provide the ability to purchase sample fans as well as 23" x 27" sample posters.

#3 Devine Color Paints are 99.9% VOC. With six color collections containing approximately 11 mini-collections each and an average of 12 colors per mini-collection, there should be no problem finding the perfect color. Devine's green, eco-friendly paints can be purchased in the United States, Canada and Ireland in select retail stores or on their website. To see if there is a store near you use the store locator tool on their website.

#4 Freshaire Choice by Home Depot is the first ever paint with no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), according to their website. Released in April of 2008. Even when the coloring agent is added to the base paint there are still no VOCs, one factor that puts Freshaire above the competition. Freshaire is certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI), comes in 65 different colors and Flat, Egg-shell and Semi-gloss finishes.

#5 Sherwin Williams Harmony and Duration bases contain no VOCs and low solvents. All Sherwin Williams colors are available in either of these green, eco-friendly interior base paints.

Who ever said you have to give up beauty to go green did not know about these eco-friendly paints.

The home is a place of relaxation and a sanctuary away from the rest of the world. The decorative colors chosen are not only a reflection of personality, they should be an invitation to come in, kick back and relax. Now you can relax in a non-toxic zone, where you can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are doing the right thing.

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