Using Bamboo Shades And Furniture For Home Decor

Bamboo shades and furniture made from bamboo, though inexpensive, are still very stylish. They are also a “green” environmentally friendly product that is a renewable resource. Despite looking like and being used like wood, bamboo does not come from a tree. Actually, it is a grass similar to wheat. It is also the fastest growing plant on Earth. Furniture makers have used bamboo for centuries.

Bamboo is a “green” environmentally friendly renewable construction material because it can be harvested after only about five years. Hardwood trees in comparison take 50 years or more to harvest. Bamboo plantations do not apply any herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides.

Many different types of furniture are made from bamboo: chairs, sofas, tables, beds, cabinets, dressers and more. It is an ideal material because it is strong and durable. It has a tensile strength of 28,000 per square inch. Bamboo tolerates humidity and moisture better than wood. Unlike wood it will not shrink or swell. The fine grain of bamboo is beautiful and lends a stylish quality to furniture made from it.

Bamboo timber is grown on plantations. The harvested bamboo timber is used to make laminated plywood and bamboo poles. The round stalk is cut into strips and then dried in a kiln. The strips are glued together to make the plywood. Bamboo poles are made from the stalks. Similar to wicker, the bamboo poles can be weaved. The laminated bamboo plywood is used just like any other wood timber.

Many different products use bamboo beside furniture. Fabric and paper can be made from bamboo. Window shades and blinds can use the bamboo fabric. It is an ingredient in Asian cuisine. There are even bamboo musical instruments.

When shopping for bamboo furniture, make sure you only buy authentic bamboo and not imitation bamboo look-a-likes. Check to make sure the bamboo was grown and harvested in an ecologically sound way using natural sustainable techniques. There should not be any toxic materials in veneers or glues. Select pieces that have water-based stains. The very finest bamboo furniture is made by artisans whose families have built bamboo furniture for generations in small villages. You will be contributing to a sound environment if you follow these guidelines.

Bamboo furniture can be both outdoors and indoors. As with any furniture, regular maintenance and cleaning is important. Every two months use a solution of water and a light detergent to wash the furniture. Every six months apply an anti-mildew additive. Use the anti-mildew more frequently if you live in a humid climate. Clean up any spills right away. Dust your furniture at least once a week. Following these tips will keep your bamboo furniture in great shape for years.

When you use bamboo in your home decor you do not need to have an Asian theme. For instance, bamboo shades are stylish and elegant in any contemporary setting. Bamboo furniture is manufactured in many different styles. Because bamboo furniture is very popular there are many styles available that will blend with your existing furniture and window shades. A good approach is to start off with a few small pieces to blend with your existing furniture.

Visit Jesita Jerik’s webstore at bamboo shades, for a limited time offer on all window shades.