In the 1970s, Kermit the Frog sang “It’s not easy being green.” Today, environmentally conscious architects and interior designers sing very similar lines, but this time in reference to the constant battle between aesthetics and sustainability. Yes, Kermit, it really isn’t easy being green.

Being “green” is often automatically associated with a certain native, austere, simple and unfinished look, whereas design is typically all about lavishness, luxuriousness and opulence.

Luckily, gone are the days when designing a green and sustainable home just meant living with hand-me-downs, recycled materials, and anything salvaged from the junk pile. Today, it just means being more eco-conscious about the items you purchase while trying to use less of nature’s resources to make your home as comfortable and stylish as you want it to be.

We’ve all read green tips about changing bulbs, lowering water flow, and conserving electricity. Here are some not-so-common tips to make it easier to style your home while living green:

• Do not be afraid of plastic. Plastic is affordable and lasts almost forever. So if you do have to buy plastic items for your home, make sure it is of durable quality or better yet, make sure it is made of either recycled plastic or recyclable plastic.

• Patronize furniture made of “grown” materials.  By using only wood that is farmed or at least responsibly harvested, you encourage companies to continue being ecologically responsible. Bamboo is a terrific alternative as it is technically a grass and thus grows quickly. It even has a slightly higher tensile strength than steel. This is not always the more affordable route, but it is always an investment towards saving our forests.

• Increase product efficiency. By using materials and energy wisely, we cause less environmental damage. A well-designed table or chair, for example, may eliminate or lessen the need for nails. Or replacing the upholstery of a chair, perhaps using an elastic mesh in the style of the famous Herman Miller Aeron chair, may limit the need for unnecessary materials or eliminate getting a new chair altogether.

• Get the lead out.  Almost all paints from developing countries contain lead. Make sure you buy lead-free paint for your next paint job. Most paint brands emit gases that are unhealthy when inhaled.

• Branch out.  Yes, it is cliched, but it really helps to plant a tree. When properly plotted, plants and trees can keep your home cool, and help you save up to 30 percent in air-conditioning costs. They likewise help clean the air in your community and fight against urban pollution.

• Select materials wisely. Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers that are untreated and free of toxins such as pesticides or chemical cleaners. Also, most bed sheets contain formaldehyde, so make sure you know what goes into all the accessories you purchase.

• Buy furniture that can outlive you.  If a furniture piece is durable, you eliminate the need to replace it. Get sturdy, solid pieces that adapt to your lifestyle so that you can use less of the earth’s materials and lessen pollution from manufacturing emissions.

Living green and in style may not be the easiest and most cost-efficient way to live these days, but it is definitely the responsible approach to take. To find out more about how to design a stylish green and sustainable home, catch “Environmental Applications, Research, and Trends in Habitat (EARTH) Designs”.