As more and more of us embrace green living, from making smarter purchases to boosting efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle, now is as good a time as any to add some green touches to your decor.

Take a look at your local home furnishings store and you just might find that eco-friendly decor options abound.

Toronto-based designer Laura M. Stein shares her tips for environmentally friendly design and offers advice for finding eco-chic items on your next shopping trip.

Natalie Bahadur: Does it cost more to furnish your home with eco-friendly products?
LMS: It is not necessarily more expensive to furnish your home with eco-friendly products. It really depends on your style and taste, but you can be eco-friendly on any budget.

Some eco-friendly products are more expensive than their non-friendly counterparts, but the gap is rapidly decreasing and the long-term benefits are worth the added cost. If you can strike a balance between new and repurposed furnishings, you can easily keep your budget in check.

Take a look at items you already own at home. Can upholstery be recovered? Can something be used differently in another room? Would a fresh coat of paint and new hardware make you like your old kitchen cabinets again? Start with what you already own and take it from there.

If you want to start with a clean slate, don't just leave your old pieces by the curb. You can donate old furniture, appliances and even kitchen cabinets to places like ReStore for Habitat for Humanity, or you may even be able to sell them.