Spring is here. When Mother Nature starts rolling out her lush green carpet, it’s a great time to do some indoor buffing up too. Refreshing your décor will give your spirits a lift, and if you follow the hottest trend – “green” – you’ll also be doing the planet a favor.

Green design is definitely in, and there are myriads of earth-friendly (and gorgeous) products out there. Eco-friendly linoleum is making a comeback. It’s made from all natural materials that are biodegradeable, antibacterial, and safe for allergy sufferers. Trendsetters are using it for flooring in basements, mud rooms, and laundry rooms. But this isn’t your grandmother’s linoleum. It comes in vivid saturated colors, and it can be custom cut to create unique designs. One line from Forbo, called “Marmoleum,” even comes in tiles and bands that are clicked together at installation. In a modern home, we love the look of wide stripes of contrasting or complimentary hues. Traditional patterns work well in a vintage setting. Visit  http://www.themarmoleumstore.com/default.aspx?menuid=248 to view creative installations.

Tip: new linoleum sometimes has a slight film on the surface that disappears when exposed to light. Be sure you expose samples to light to get the true color.

Linoleum is inexpensive: $2-$3 a square foot with installation costs of $5-$7 a square foot. Custom-cut designs up the cost. For more about linoleum, see http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Green_Building/green_Materials/linoleum.htm.