Sustainability isn’t just another trendy topic that seemingly came out of nowhere just to slowly fade away in a year or two. Popular interior design magazines are more likely to feature eco-friendly and green solutions. Sustainability and eco-friendliness will be here for a long time.
Sustainable interior design aims to reduce the negative effects that consumption has on the environment. It is also about creating healthier and more functional interiors by using non-toxic materials and decorating with both environmentally and functionally friendly items. You can also choose to renovate what you already own, rather than buying something new and mass-produced.
It can seem overwhelming how many options you have when it comes to making your house more sustainable. The good news is that staying friendly to the planet is easier than you’d think when it comes to decorating and arranging your space. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, check out these four sustainable interior design ideas you can implement to turn your home into an eco-friendly space.
Choose low-impact materials
Low-impact products use materials that can be recycled and are non-toxic. Furniture and fixtures should be made from responsibly sourced woods, corks or compressed earths. It is a good idea to choose organic or recycled cotton and linen, wool, and/or hemp when it comes textiles.
If you love to decorate your home with pillows and blankets, you can choose eco-friendly brands. On top of that, instead of going for a fuzzy pillowcase that’s synthetic and therefore non-sustainable, you can look for ones made from cotton or hemp. The same goes for all types of blankets, even weighted ones. If you take your time and put in some effort, you’ll surely be able to find something that’s sustainable.
Natural Light is best
It’s a well-known fact that one of the best ways to save energy is to rely on natural light as much as possible instead of turning on the lights. By opening up your curtains and letting in as much sunshine as possible, you can reduce your home’s dependence on artificial lighting during the day hours.
This saves you money and has a positive impact on the environment. It reduces the need for lights to be on during the day, which can cause more electricity consumption than is necessary.
Shades are a great option if you want to keep your windows closed for privacy reasons. For instance, day & night blinds can be light-filtering and blackout at the same time, making them one the most popular choices due to how versatile they are.
Roman blinds can be more expensive. Roman blinds are typically made from cotton and can easily be raised or lower with the help a cord system. Additionally, there’s not much plastic involved in Roman blinds’ design.
Buy Sustainable Furniture
Sustainable furniture is one of the best interior design options. What does this actually mean? Sustainable furniture is built on the closed-loop system of recycling. It’s intended to be continually reused, disassembled, and then reused again. Look out for non-toxicity and durability in the products you choose. For upholstery, sustainable furniture should also be made of renewable raw materials such as bamboo and wood, cotton and linen.
Recycled items, such as wood pallets and recycled textiles, are some of the best options for sustainable furniture. Furniture can also be made from recycled plastic bottles or other non-biodegradable materials. If you don’t know where you should look for such furniture, try shops like Etsy, West Elm, or Sabai.
Choose non-toxic paint
Non-toxic paints are safer to use than toxic paints. If you’re interested in eco-friendly interior design ideas, going for non-toxic paint might be one of the best things you can do for your home. Non-toxic paint will not only save you from dealing with chemicals, but will also make your home safer for the members of your family who spend more time there than anyone else.
Non-toxic paints can be identified by looking at whether they contain low to no volatile organic compounds, have minimal or zero odor, and are labeled as natural. Clare Paint, ECOS Paints and The Real Milk Paint Co are examples of paints that are safe.
Conclusion
There’s no need to feel overwhelmed when making your home eco-friendly. It’s easy to take a look around your home to see what you can do to improve the environment.
These interior design ideas will help you make your home more sustainable. They are easy to implement, won’t break your budget, and even a beginner can easily pull them off. Give these ideas a shot, and in no time, you’ll have an eco-friendly home that will make all your friends envious of your beautiful interiors. Have fun!
