How to Bring Sustainability into Your Interior Design

Being sustainable where we can is an important part of living in the modern world. Thankfully, it’s also become increasingly popular to be environmentally conscious, with businesses being pressured by consumers to make more environmentally ethical choices. But how do you bring sustainability into your interior design?

We’ve rounded up a few ideas to get you started when it comes to designing a home with sustainability in mind.

Recycled/Reclaimed Furniture

Using second-hand furniture to decorate your home is one of the best starting points when it comes to being as sustainable as possible. Not only that, but it’s a great way to find unique and stylish furniture pieces that would otherwise end up in landfills. Reducing waste is one of the best things you can do for the planet, and this is a great way to go about it that benefits you as much as it does the Earth.

Looking in charity shops or vintage stores is a good way to find something in need of a new home whilst still being in great condition. Not only that, but upcycling is massively popular. Taking a piece of worn-down furniture and giving it a well-deserved makeover is a great way of giving yourself a fun project and a new piece of furniture, usually for a much smaller price than buying brand new.

Sustainable Materials

Searching for companies who pride themselves on using sustainably materials is going to ensure that your home is more environmentally friendly than buying without doing any research. There are a lot of different sustainable materials to choose from including: bamboo, reclaimed wood, cork and recycled plastics and glasses.

Use a combination of different sustainable materials to create whatever interior design style you most prefer. Styles of all kinds can be achieved through clever manipulation and recycling of items which would be wasted otherwise.

Going for an industrial look, recycled metals are perfect for capturing the balance between nature and industry. Maybe something more Scandinavian suits you – look at reclaimed woods and minimalist structures. If you want a timeless look, consider antiques.

Antiques

Finding unique antique pieces through shopping in vintage stores and charity shops is a great way to be a sustainable consumer. Luckily, there are tons of options available to you and lots of quirky finds to suit any interior design style. Instead of buying new, purchase a piece of history and give it a new home.

Invest in some timeless antique silver and add some real class and sophistication to your space – shiny drinkware, decorative silver platters, a stunning tea set for example. Perhaps an antique clock will look good above that fireplace, or even a pair of silver candleholders for that upcycled dining table. There are many different options to choose from so get looking!

Minimalize

Minimalism is a popular design choice these days – and for good reason. Not only does it declutter your space and give it a crisp, clean look that’s very beneficial to your mental health, but it is also incredibly sustainable and eco-friendly.

Keeping fewer things in your shared spaces means that the items you have are valued more, and the impact you have on the environment is lessened. Donate some items that are taking up space, and clean out your wardrobe so that someone else can make better use of your own preloved items.

Natural Light

Let the natural light into your home; open those windows, keep those curtains/blinds drawn, and let in some sunshine. Not only is it good for your health, providing you with beneficial vitamin D, but it is also good for saving on your energy – something we all need to be aware of these days.

Letting light into your room means you can save on energy bills and feed off that calming natural light. Add some plants to your space and be surrounded by nature. Plants also improve the air quality and rid your space of pollutants – so go green crazy! When you need to wind down on a night-time, using energy saving bulbs is your best choice.

Trying to bring sustainability into your everyday life can be a challenge, but utilising the most environmentally friendly options when making big decisions about your interior design is totally worthwhile. Good luck and think green thoughts!