Our bathroom has mauve tile and a mint chocolate chip green bathtub. To call it hideous is an understatement. I regularly dream of taking a crowbar to the wall, ripping down the tile, and putting up something neutral and sensible.

The neighbors down the street are remodeling their bathroom, and every day when I walk the dog, I see how the pile of rubble at the curb has grown — broken tiles, pieces of drywall, fixtures, shelving, and splintered wood. Seeing all of it, sitting there in a heap, waiting for the next garbage day, has put things in perspective.

We’d all like our homes to look exactly the way we want them to, decked out in the latest colors and styles. I’d like a bathroom that isn’t an assault on the eyes, but in the greater scheme of things, is it really important? As ugly as they are, our mauve tiles are in excellent shape and will last for many years to come. I’d rather they serve a purpose in our house, than take up space in a landfill.

Before you remodel, make sure it’s a change that’s really necessary. If it is, make sure you use recycled materials and renewable resources. If it isn’t, suck it up. Live with it. You can use the money you save to pamper yourself.

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie.