Our Guide to Sustainable Interior Design
Our Guide to Sustainable Design
In 2021, we can all agree that doing our bit towards helping the environment and being that bit more sustainable is important. However, this can seem almost impossible to incorporate into your interior design at first.
How can you reduce, reuse and recycle your way to a sustainable interior design? Make sure to read on below, where we investigate some of the latest trends in sustainable interiors to give you some ideas.
Use Plants as Decorative Pieces
This may seem like a no-brainer, however, plants can be an excellent addition to the home. They provide oxygen and can help to filter the air throughout your home. They also offer a touch of natural beauty, ambience and freshness, letting you bring a small piece of the outside into your home. Think about the refreshing fragrances of a bunch of flowers or the refreshing scent of mint and pine. Otherwise, lilies and gerbera daisies do wonders in helping to improve the air quality of your home.
Choose Furniture Made from Natural Materials
If you are looking to do your bit and make your home that bit more sustainable, it’s time to forget chairs and tables made from plastic and instead opt for furniture made from natural wood and other such organic materials. To ensure that the wood you are using is sustainable, look for the Forest Stewardship Council certification stamp to ensure that you’re not using an endangered species of wood. A suitable option can be bamboo, however better yet: opt for antique, second-hand and up-cycled furniture where possible.
Choose Natural Textiles and Finishings
Believe it or not, the household items that can be crafted from natural materials go way beyond furniture. Pillows, mattresses, upholstery and beddings can all be crafted from natural materials, cutting down on the production of synthetic materials.
In fact, wool is a great material, as it is hypoallergenic, biodegradable and recyclable, moisture-absorbent and even anti-bacterial. It’s even considered one of the most fire-resistant textile fibres! Another great natural upholstery material is natural latex, which is made from the collected sap of rubber trees.
Carpets and rugs can also be created from natural fibres such as wool, cotton and jute, as opposed to volatile organic compound (VOC) filled synthetics. Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperatures and are found in many common household products. VOCs have an environmental impact and can contribute to climate change.
You can also opt for wall finishings in wood, ceramic and cork, which are great choices for the environment.
Other Considerations You Can Make
Beyond the immediate choices above, there are other considerations you can make towards creating the perfect, sustainable interior design for your home.
Firstly, you can choose flooring made from either stone, wood, cement, cork or limestone, instead of plastic vinyl flooring.
You can also cut down on more mass-produced touches within your home, by opting for recycled and recyclable materials such as reclaimed wood and up-cycled items when choosing furniture and decorations. Whilst up-cycling may take some time and effort, it can be a great way to create a completely unique and classy touch.
Where possible, also try and use locally sourced materials to cut down on transportation costs and emissions, not only produced by yourself but also the production line.
Whilst creating a sustainable home interior may take a little more time and effort, it will definitely be worth it both for the planet and the end result. You’ll be left with a stunning finish to be proud of, which doesn’t hurt your conscience either!
If you find yourself needing additional guidance in creating the perfect sustainable interior design, make sure to get in touch today. With a wide range of experience, on a variety of different projects, we’ll be sure to guide you in the right direction to create the perfect space that fits your sustainable vision perfectly.