Why Indoor Air Quality Should Be Part of Your Interior Design Plan
Interior design is no longer just about color palettes and statement furniture—today, it's equally about how a space feels and functions for your health. As more people lean into sustainable and wellness-centered living, a new element is moving to the forefront: indoor air quality (IAQ).
Here’s the kicker—according to the EPA, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Surprising? Maybe. But it makes perfect sense when you consider how much time we spend indoors, surrounded by synthetic materials, dust, and ventilation systems that often go unchecked.
So, what does all this have to do with your interior design plan? More than you’d think—and once you see how your choices shape the air you breathe, it’ll change how you approach every room.
Stick around. We’re just getting started.
How Poor Indoor Air Quality Affects Health?
Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ, refers to the condition of the air circulating within your home or workplace. It’s more than just temperature—it's about what's invisibly floating around you. Dust, pet dander, mold spores, and off-gassing from furniture or cleaning products can all build up indoors, often unnoticed. Even that “new carpet smell” could be releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air you breathe.
Humidity and airflow are also major players. When the air is too damp, it invites mold. When it’s too dry, it can irritate your skin and lungs. And without proper ventilation, pollutants simply linger longer than they should.
The real trouble starts when poor air quality begins affecting your health. Respiratory issues like asthma, chronic coughing, or even frequent headaches may all stem from invisible irritants in the air. And for those with allergies, it’s often a daily struggle.
Michael Davis of HVAC Angel suggests that improving IAQ doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes, it’s as straightforward as increasing ventilation or investing in a good air filtration system. Simple routines like regular vacuuming or switching to low-VOC cleaning supplies can also have a noticeable impact.
While IAQ may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a room, it’s the invisible design layer that helps every other element—from furniture to lighting—truly shine.
Why Should Indoor Air Quality Be Part of Your Interior Design Plan?
It’s easy to think of interior design as just an aesthetic pursuit—but the truth is, every design choice either helps or harms the air you breathe. The couch you sit on, the paint on your walls, even the finish on your wood floors—all of it contributes to your home’s indoor air quality, whether you realize it or not.
Designers today are in a unique position to shape not just how a space looks, but how it feels—and that includes the invisible elements like air. Choosing low-VOC paints and non-toxic finishes is no longer just a trend—it’s a practical step toward creating spaces that support better breathing and long-term well-being. The same goes for furniture made from untreated, natural materials, which release fewer harmful chemicals over time.
Some designers are even going a step further by intentionally integrating air-purifying plants or sleek filtration units into their layouts. These additions don’t just clean the air—they become part of the visual story of the room. And when natural light is prioritized, it helps regulate humidity, keeping mold at bay while creating a more vibrant, uplifting atmosphere.
Green building certifications like LEED and WELL have taken notice. They now recognize IAQ as a key component of sustainable design, encouraging professionals to consider how every material and feature interacts with the environment indoors.
When air quality is designed into the space—not as an afterthought but as part of the blueprint—you create more than a beautiful room. You create a space that supports clearer minds, easier breathing, and healthier living from the ground up.
Key Interior Design Strategies to Improve IAQ
1. Choose Low-VOC and Non-Toxic Materials
The scent of fresh paint or new carpet might seem harmless—even pleasant—but it's often a red flag for what’s silently floating in the air. Many of these "new" smells come from VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), chemicals that can linger for weeks and quietly compromise the air you breathe.
One of the smartest moves in any design plan is to start with healthier materials. Swapping out standard paints for low-VOC alternatives is a simple change with major benefits. These products release fewer toxins into the air, making rooms safer and more comfortable to live in—especially for kids, pets, and anyone with sensitivities.
Flooring is another major contributor to indoor air quality. Instead of synthetic carpets that trap allergens and off-gas over time, consider eco-friendly flooring like bamboo, cork, or natural fiber rugs. The same principle applies to furniture: untreated wood, organic upholstery, and natural latex cushions offer a cleaner, chemical-free foundation for your space.
And don’t forget the details—adhesives, sealants, and even the cleaning products used after installation all play a role. Choosing options that are labeled non-toxic or plant-based ensures that the effort you put into cleaner design doesn’t get undone by the finishing touches.
Cleaner choices at the material level create a ripple effect throughout the space. They don’t just elevate the design—they support the kind of air that helps people feel better in their homes.
2. Focus on Proper Ventilation
Designing for air quality isn’t just about the materials you choose—it’s also about what happens once the space is built. Without proper ventilation, even the best design decisions can fall short. Air that’s stagnant or poorly circulated can trap moisture, dust, and pollutants, making it harder to maintain a healthy environment.
One of the most effective ways to ensure proper ventilation is to incorporate air exchange systems like Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). These systems are designed to improve airflow while maintaining energy efficiency, so you can breathe easy without worrying about your energy bills. They bring in fresh air and remove stale air, keeping pollutants from building up inside.
For spaces like kitchens and bathrooms—where humidity and odors are a constant issue—exhaust fans are essential. These little powerhouses quickly whisk away moisture and unpleasant smells, preventing the growth of mold and mildew while keeping your air fresh.
And while technology plays a big role in modern ventilation, sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. Opening a window, even for just a few minutes a day, allows natural airflow to keep the air fresh and balanced. Letting the outside in is a free and easy way to improve IAQ—plus, it’s a great excuse to enjoy a bit of fresh air and sunshine!
Incorporating proper ventilation into your interior design plan is more than just an afterthought; it’s an essential part of creating a space that works for both your health and comfort.
3. Incorporate Air-Purifying Plants
Imagine a design element that not only enhances your space visually but also actively works to improve your indoor air quality. It’s not a futuristic tech gadget or a fancy air filter—it’s a humble houseplant.
Certain indoor plants, like spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies, are nature’s air purifiers. These green wonders don’t just look good—they absorb harmful toxins, like formaldehyde and benzene, from the air while releasing oxygen. It’s a natural filtration system that helps to cleanse the air while also adding a refreshing touch of greenery to any room.
What’s great about these plants is that they do double duty in your design plan. They contribute to the overall aesthetic by introducing a pop of color and texture, all while silently working to make the air cleaner and fresher. Whether you place them on a shelf, hang them in a corner, or let them trail from a hanging pot, they’ll help purify the air in a way that’s both effective and visually appealing.
And let’s not forget the added bonus of the calming, positive energy plants bring to a space. It’s a win-win: healthier air, better design, and a touch of nature that makes every room feel a little more serene.
4. Invest in Air Filtration Systems
Not all air pollutants are visible—and that’s what makes them tricky. Even in the cleanest-looking homes, microscopic particles like pet dander, pollen, and dust mites can quietly float around, affecting your indoor air without you even realizing it. That’s where air filtration steps in as a design ally you don’t want to skip.
For high-traffic zones like living rooms and bedrooms, standalone air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can make a noticeable difference. These systems are designed to trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles, offering real-time support for cleaner, healthier air where people spend the most time. Whether it’s managing allergies or simply breathing easier, this small addition can make a big impact.
In larger homes or new builds, designers have the opportunity to go a step further by integrating air filtration directly into the HVAC system. These built-in solutions offer continuous air cleaning on a broader scale, all while staying hidden behind the walls. It’s seamless, effective, and adds long-term value to the property.
Incorporating air filtration isn’t just a practical decision—it’s a thoughtful one. It shows you’re designing a space that doesn’t just look good, but actually supports the health and comfort of everyone who lives there.
5. Limit or Avoid Synthetic Materials
It’s easy to fall for that sleek vinyl chair or that ultra-shiny laminate flooring—but what’s not visible is often what matters most. Many synthetic materials, while budget-friendly and stylish on the surface, slowly release harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and phthalates into the air over time. That “new furniture smell”? It’s often a red flag for off-gassing pollutants.
By consciously steering away from materials like vinyl, polyurethane, and particleboard, you’re not just making a design choice—you’re making a health-first decision. Natural alternatives such as solid wood, bamboo, or untreated wool offer durability, warmth, and elegance without compromising air quality. These materials don’t just look beautiful—they age gracefully and don’t pollute your indoor environment.
Even reducing the number of plastic items in a space can make a difference. Plastics can degrade over time, especially in sunlight or heat, releasing tiny particles into the air. Swapping them out for glass, ceramic, or metal alternatives enhances both the aesthetic and the air you breathe.
How to Incorporate IAQ Considerations in Your Design Process?
Design isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s about how it feels to live in. And that feeling starts with the air. To create truly livable, health-forward spaces, indoor air quality needs to be part of the conversation from day one—not tacked on as an afterthought.
When selecting materials like flooring, wall finishes, and cabinetry, prioritize those that are low in VOCs and free of harmful chemicals. Every surface you touch and walk on contributes to the air you breathe, so it's worth taking a closer look at what they're made of. The same goes for soft furnishings—upholstered pieces, curtains, and rugs should be chosen not just for color and texture, but for what they emit (or thankfully, don’t).
Lighting is another silent contributor to indoor health. A thoughtful lighting design that welcomes in natural sunlight does more than brighten a room—it supports ventilation and helps keep mold and mildew at bay. It also complements passive heating and cooling strategies, adding an energy-efficient bonus.
Ultimately, great design is a collaboration. When working with clients who value wellness, integrating IAQ into the design process isn’t just appreciated—it’s expected. These clients are looking for homes that support their health and lifestyle, and when you deliver that, you’re not just designing spaces—you’re designing peace of mind.
Creating a Healthier Home Starts with the Right Design Choices
The truth is, the design choices you make today will shape how your clients feel in their homes tomorrow. From flooring to finishes, every element has a role to play in supporting cleaner, healthier air—and by extension, a healthier life.
Integrating indoor air quality into your design plan isn’t a trend—it’s a smart, sustainable practice that enhances the well-being of everyone who steps inside. When you prioritize non-toxic materials, proper ventilation, and thoughtful product selection, you’re not just curating a look—you’re curating a lifestyle that values health as much as aesthetics.
A well-designed space should do more than impress. It should help people breathe easier, think clearer, and feel better every single day. By taking a holistic approach to design, you ensure that your spaces don’t just look good—they live well.
Because at the end of the day, beautiful homes should also be healthy homes—and that starts with you.
