ECO-FRIENDLY INTERIOR DESIGN GUIDE
The Environmental Movement has gained a lot of traction over the past decade. One of the areas that society has become more conscious of is making eco-friendly choices within our homes. With new green technology being developed daily and available at our fingertips, we are now able to consciously make smarter, greener choices very easily.
Over the years, the Design Industry has collectively come up with new, great ways to improve our spaces. This not only benefits the Environmental Movement, but it also improves our own quality of life. What’s not to love about that? Here are some great tips and tricks to help transition your home to be more sustainable.
Plants, Plants, & More Plants!
Who doesn’t love their home to be filled with gorgeous, bright, beautifully potted plants? Plants are such a great way to fill up those empty nooks in your home and add some life to your space. Not only are plants an affordable and eco-friendly way of adding décor to your home, they also provide us with a variety of other benefits:
- Plants help to boost your mood, productivity, concentration, and creativity.
- Reduce your stress, fatigue, sore throats and colds.
- Add life to your home, gives privacy, and helps to reduce noise levels.
- Help clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity and producing oxygen
- Are therapeutic to care for!
Choose Environmentally Friendly Materials
When people think “green,” they don’t typically think of the materials in their homes. You don’t have to install solar panels (although they are great!) to help your home environment become more eco-friendly. Instead, look to choose the materials you’re working with in a more environmentally friendly way. Here are some great eco-friendly materials:
- Energy Efficient Light Bulbs: More and more people are switching over to LED light bulbs. LED bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 25 times longer!
- Eco-Friendly Rugs: Some rugs are unfortunately often cheaply produced with toxic materials which can end up polluting the air. Natural latex rugs, jute rugs, and wool rugs are just some of many great sustainable alternatives.
- Antiques: Recycle the past! Whether you love antiques or have inherited a few special pieces, using antiques is a great way to go green in your house. Reusing a set of vintage tables or chairs gives these items new life for years to come.
Let the Sun Shine In… Through Your Windows!
Natural lighting is an amazing benefit gifted by nature. Anything that reduces the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity is beneficial to the environment! Sunlight is also a natural disinfectant, as it helps reduce the production of harmful bacteria and organisms that can grow in any house.
Whether you pull back your curtains completely or choose lightweight options, the sun can easily be used as your lighting source, giving you up to twelve hours of natural daylight! This reduces energy use, electricity, and gives you a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
By increasing our homes exposure to the sun through energy efficient windows and doors, we create a healthier, happier, more comfortable, and more sustainable home.
Minimalist Interiors… Less is More!
Some design aesthetics are more environmentally friendly than others, and minimalist interiors are definitely one of them. Minimalism is an approach that can be applied to any interior design style, and it helps to reduce your carbon footprint. By simplifying and decluttering, you not only create a more ergonomic and mindful setting, but a more sustainable home too! Fewer things means less manufacturing, and that helps to minimize the negative impact on the environment. Less is more!