I have to be honest and tell you that it takes a lot of green to "go green," so it often becomes a choice our clients make for ethical reasons rather than financial ones. Environmentally-friendly materials and products can bring long-term energy savings, but the initial costs of green materials may be nearly double that of traditional building supplies. Yet it is important to remember that going green can entail something as simple as lowering your thermostat setting to something as elaborate as a water filtration system to recycle household grey water.

Regardless of the scale of your renovation, it is possible to go green in every room of your home thanks to a growing number of environmentally- conscious products, materials and installations. Since bathroom renovations are popular for many homeowners today, let's take a look at the ways you can go green in the bathroom without sacrificing the luxuries consumers look for in this private getaway space:

· Floors: There are scores of rich floor surfaces available, ranging from those made of renewable bamboo and cork to carpets and tiles made from recycled materials such as rubber, glass, and plastic (www.flor.com).

· Walls: A growing number of manufacturers are developing natural-based paints and clays as an alternative to latex and oil paints as well as mold-proof sheet rock. There are also many other environmentally-friendly wall surface materials to choose from, including translucent glass tiles, formaldehyde-free fiber panels made from agricultural waste products, and man-made stone products, often from Italy and Spain (www.coveringsetc .com, www.kireiusa.com ).

· Vanities and Counters: Thanks to commercial farming and harvesting techniques, elegant wood vanities don't have to come at the expense of old growth forests. Recycled lumber is available - at a price - for both cabinetry and floors. And a growing number of manufacturers are creating beautiful stone and tile counter surfaces made of recycled content - even paper (www.citilogs.com , www.icestone.biz, www.richlite.com, and www.paperstoneproducts.com).

· Plumbing Fixtures: In addition to low- flow and dual-flush toilets (which provide stronger water flow when needed), many toilets and tubs manufactured today feature porcelain that is made of up to 50 percent post-recycled content as well as super-slick surfaces that will save on frequent use of bleach cleaners. If you are doing a major plumbing make-over and remodeling several baths at the same time, look into water timers that can divert cold water to a recycling system until the warm water has reached the faucet (thus savings many gallons a day), or change your plumbing feeds altogether to a direct piping system such as PEX.

· Heating: Long-considered luxurious extras, things such as radiant floor heating and heated towel warmers are actually environmentally- friendly design choices. Unlike traditional room radiators which line (and tend to heat) the outside walls of a room, radiant floor heating warms the entire room and everything it touches, from floor tiles to tubs and shower floors. Many of our clients are surprised to learn that electric radiant heat pad floors are not exorbitantly expensive and ultimately offer more energy-efficient heating.

· Lighting: Although halogen lights are always a better choice than traditional incandescent lights, they do tend to produce a lot of heat, so look for Xenon, compact fluorescent and LED lights (which produce low voltage from tiny semiconductor chips). One of the common complaints about these lights is their color, but advances are constantly being made to make these light sources appear softer and warmer.

· Fabrics: Of course, when selecting towels and rugs, you can't go wrong with the plush, natural content of 100 percent cotton fabrics, but bamboo spun into a soft fabric is another alternative. Also, there are a number of mold-proof hybrid fabrics that were originally designed for outdoor living that are moving inside as shower curtains and liners as well as upholstered seating for moisture-laden bathrooms ( www.perennialsfabrics.com).

· Proper Installation: Don't forget about opportunities to go green with some of the mundane, but necessary, bathroom accessories including fans and vents. By installing separate and timed fan and lighting switches (including a separate fan in the shower stall), you can run only the fans that are needed and eliminate wasted electricity and heat. Also, don't forget to insulate exterior walls properly and install double-paned windows that resist moisture and minimize heat loss.

· Choosing a Contractor: Talk to your contractor about your desire to go green. Question him or her about their interest in green materials and construction techniques ( www.freesharing.org, www.greendemolitions.org, www.hvmaterialsexchange.com ). In general, check your contractor's commitment to recycling and eliminating wasted materials. Ask that old fixtures and cabinets be recycled, if possible, and that demolition debris be separated so recyclable materials can be reused.

Although the notion of going green in the home is something that is relatively new, demand from the commercial building sector and visionary corporations has resulted in the development of scores of environmentally-friendly materials (www.interfaceinc.com). Luckily there are companies which specialize in green and promote several different green products for the home, including Going to Market and Bettencourt Green Building Supplies , to name just a few.

At this point in time, however, many green materials have not yet made it to the consumer market and retailers do not necessarily see that green can be an incentive to their customers, so you have to look harder to find these materials - either by looking carefully at content labels or by specifically asking for them. But for the environmentally-conscious homeowner, it is getting easier to be green.