How to Choose More Eco-Friendly Interior Design Options
If you’ve been considering completing an interior design project for your home, you’ve likely already thought of some fun ways to liven up your living space. The great thing about interior design is that there are no wrong choices, and you can have something that’s completely unique to your own personal tastes.
However, while you have full control over the types of colors, features, and other aesthetics in your home, there is something else you’ll want to consider - sustainability.
Renovating provides a unique opportunity to customize every detail, improve the functionality of your home, and incorporate more environmentally friendly options.
The great thing is that there are many simple but impactful strategies you can use when designing a more sustainable home.
Transition to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Your lighting choices significantly influence the amount of energy your home consumes regularly. However, by making some simple modifications to your lighting fixtures or bulb types, you can benefit both the environment and your wallet.
A practical step towards reducing your electricity costs can be replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED alternatives. These more durable lighting options consume up to 90% less energy than conventional bulbs and have a lifespan of up to 25 times longer.
Another great thing about upgrading the lighting in your home is that you can create a much more unique ambiance. Most LED lighting solutions allow you to control the brightness, color, and temperature of the lighting. This lets you create dramatic scenes all throughout your home and lets you completely customize the look and feel.
Switch to Water-Saving Fixtures
When planning home improvements like a bathroom remodel, it's worth considering how to conserve more water. Households, particularly larger ones, consume a significant amount of water daily through their daily routines - especially when using their bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas.
The good news is that there are ways to reduce your environmental impact and save money on your water bill. One effective approach is to replace older fixtures with modern, water-efficient ones. This includes upgrading sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances.
By making these changes throughout your home, you can significantly reduce your yearly water consumption, which translates to both financial savings and a smaller carbon footprint.
Find More Durable Furniture Options
Home makeovers often involve buying new furniture. This can be a fantastic way to update your home's look. However, it's important to be mindful of the environmental impact that the types of furniture choices you make can have.
Instead of following every design trend, try to look at pieces that are better quality and last longer. Try to find pieces made from solid wood or built with strong construction that will hold up to more wear and tear over time.
Use Organic Materials
Starting a new home remodeling project can open up a world of design possibilities. But with this freedom comes a responsibility to consider the environmental impact of your material choices. Thankfully, there's a growing trend toward sustainable options that are both great to look at and eco-friendly.
Prioritize natural materials whenever possible. Bamboo, for instance, is a fantastic choice. Its strength and versatility make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from flooring to cabinetry. What sets bamboo apart is its rapid growth cycle, making it a far more renewable resource than traditional lumber.
Reclaimed wood offers another avenue for sustainable design. By incorporating salvaged wood, you not only reduce waste but also infuse your home with unique character and history. Imagine a stunning dining table crafted from weathered barn wood – a conversation piece and a testament to sustainable practices.
Keep Your Room Layouts More Flexible
When making sustainable home design choices, it’s helpful to shift your focus from individual elements to the overall layout of a space. A well-designed, adaptable layout can significantly contribute to your eco-friendly goals.
Instead of having static rooms that serve only one purpose, think about how spaces can serve multiple use cases. A guest bedroom, for example, could easily double as a home office. Your dining area could also be incorporated into a kitchen or living room. Both of these approaches help maximize the functionality of each area.
You might also want to consider investing in convertible furniture pieces like sofa beds or tables that adjust in size and height. These versatile options allow your living spaces to adapt to different needs, reducing the demand for extra furniture, flooring, and building materials.
Choose VOC-free Construction Products
You should also be very careful when choosing different materials in your home. Paints and sealants often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that you should know about.
When present in high amounts, VOCs can release harmful chemicals into the air, posing risks to the environment and the home's occupants. These chemicals have the potential to trigger respiratory problems and other health concerns.
Instead, always opt for low-VOC or VOC-free construction products. This lets you achieve your desired aesthetic without compromising the health of your family.
Create a Living Space You Can Be Proud Of
Personalizing your living space can be an exciting experience. However, by making more sustainable design choices, you’ll not only improve the aesthetics of your home but also contribute to a healthier planet for everyone.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Denis, Head of Design at Revive Real Estate, is an accomplished and highly creative interior designer with over ten years of experience in the industry. With a passion for transforming spaces and a keen eye for detail, she has successfully completed numerous projects ranging from commercial spaces to custom show homes.
