Many interior designers and homeowners are increasingly conscious of the impact interior design can have on the environment. Similar to the fashion industry, creating items from scratch will require significant energy usage, water consumption, and a huge carbon footprint.
If your décor is outdated or you need new furniture and furnishings, embrace more sustainable interior design practices. Here are five tips for an eco-friendly makeover.
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1. Add Plants for Natural Beauty
Ditch manufactured decorative accents and incorporated many house plants into rooms across the home. It will provide your living room, bedroom, or bathroom with a beautiful touch of color and texture. Plus, the natural elements will add more oxygen to your property while filtering harmful chemicals from the air.
Great choices for improving air quality include:
- Lilies
- Gerbera daises
- Bamboo palm
2. Upcycle Unloved Furniture
Rather than buying furniture made to order, attempt to upcycle pieces from your home or antique and vintage stores. A little TLC could transform an unloved item into a stunning focal point in the home.
For example, you could reupholster a torn or ripped Chesterfield armchair or sand an old oak dining table and apply a coat of polish to bring it back to life. Yet, you must ask yourself, can upcycling devalue your furniture, especially if it’s an antique. For example, painting or reupholstering could remove its beauty and originality, which will likely affect its value.
3. Buy Materials from Socially Responsible Businesses
If you need to buy materials during an interior design makeover, order from socially responsible businesses. For example, they should use safe manufacturing processes, find their materials from local sources, or be committed to using recycled materials. Almost every item in the home can be made from recycled materials, including carpets, fabrics, tiles, kitchen counters, and even sinks.
4. Pick Synthetic Materials Over Luxury Fabrics
While synthetic materials might not be the epitome of luxury, they are better for the environment in the long term. They will likely last much longer than luxurious fabrics, such as wool, silk, and cotton, and they will stay cleaner over the years. Therefore, you are less likely to replace the fabrics in the near future.
5. Decorate with Teak Wood
Teak is a more sustainable alternative to delicate wood, which is why it is ideal for kitchen counters and tabletops. The durable surface will appear as good as new for many years to come, and it is much easier to clean.
Teak is a more durable option than other wood materials, as it retains its oils and rubber after being felled and processed. It is naturally stronger and more weather resistant than other wood varieties, which is why it is perfect for indoor and outdoor interior furniture and accents.
Sustainable interior design doesn’t need to be difficult. If you are willing to upcycle items, source responsible materials, and buy from environmentally friendly brands, you could develop a beautiful eco-friendly home that has the wow factor.