Eco-Friendly Interior Design: Beautify Your Home While Saving the Planet
We all want our homes to look amazing. And we all want our bigger home, planet earth, to be around as long as possible. The way to help achieve both of these goals is by relying on eco-friendly interior design. Today I’ll share five easy ways to go green inside your home with style and substance.
Five Eco-Friendly Design Tips
1. The Magic of Vintage
Sometimes calling a piece vintage is just putting a classy spin on secondhand. But don’t dismiss secondhand as being a step down. Secondhand furniture and décor often has ten times more character than anything you’ll find at a big-box store. Thrift shops, estate sales, and the pile of stuff from that one friend who you suspect is a hoarder could all be goldmines for your next unique find. Secondhand means no new resources need to be used, so it’s a great way to score style and planet points.
2. Say Yes to Sustainable Materials
Your furniture, no matter where you get it, is composed of a variety of materials, some of which may not decompose. Plastics, treated woods, and synthetic fabrics can be pretty hard on the planet, so aim for items made from sustainable sources like bamboo, reclaimed wood, or recycled metal. Want to step it up? Try materials like cork and hemp, which are not only sustainable but also super durable.
3. Get Smart About Energy Use
Eco-friendly design isn’t just about what’s in the room, but also how you use it. Swapping out old lightbulbs for LEDs is the quickest and easiest way to lower energy consumption and feel a little smug about being a better human. Even better, consider installing dimmer switches or smart lighting systems that automatically turn off when you leave the room.
4. Choose Natural Textiles
While that polyester rug may feel soft and cozy, the bad news is it might be essentially a pile of plastic in disguise. Opt for natural fibers like wool, cotton, or jute for your rugs, curtains, and throws. Not only do they feel and look amazing, but they’re also biodegradable, so they won’t be around in a landfill for the next hundred years.
5. Bring the Outdoors In
Adding plants to your space is a triple gift to yourself. They brighten up the room, purify the air, and add a touch of effortless style. Succulents, ferns, and snake plants are all great options that even the most notorious plant-killers can make thrive. If you’re feeling ambitious, create a living wall or hang planters from the ceiling for that urban jungle vibe. Find out which plants make sense for your microenvironment and experiment to see what you like and what can thrive in your space.
Going Green in Style
Granted, if you incorporate these tips, you won’t move the dial on saving the planet. As they say, though, it feels good to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. And if everyone thought that same way, we could amplify our impact and make a difference. It’s a no-risk proposition, since you are guaranteed to feel better in your actual home and on our big blue one.
Now, what will you do next to love where you live?
Please feel free to reach out to us at The Redesign Habit and ask questions or simply share a project that you are working on or have completed.
For more great stories and ideas please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
