8 Tips for Environmentally Sustainable Interior Design

Green and sustainable interiors are becoming increasingly important due to numerous environmental concerns. Eco-friendly interior design can increase the energy efficiency of your property while reducing its carbon footprint. What’s more, if you decide to go with a sustainable interior design, there are numerous ideas that you can try out. While some of them are quite simple and affordable, others might require more effort and money. Nonetheless, all of them will make a valuable contribution to the environment preservation while also providing you with long-term benefits.

Choose sustainable materials

When furnishing and decorating your home, you should go with sustainable materials and fabrics. Not only will they make your home greener, but they will also help you give your home a beautiful, organic touch. You have different options at your disposal, from locally and responsibly sourced wood, bamboo, cork and brick to recycled glass, steel or salvaged wood. For instance, sustainable flooring is a great idea that will make your home greener and increase its value. You can also go with organic cotton, jute, hemp and other eco-friendly fabrics for your upholstery, window treatments, floor coverings, sheets, etc.

Furnish your home with pre-owned items

Instead of buying brand-new pieces, you should embellish your home with pre-loved items. Second-hand furniture and decorations will create a rustic look in your home. In addition, vintage pieces are healthier because toxic chemicals that they might have contained have evaporated a long time ago. By going with pre-owned items, you’ll also contribute to waste reduction and mitigate the pressure placed on natural resources.

Repurpose your old pieces

Another great idea for creating a sustainable home is to repurpose your old furniture and elements. You’d be surprised by the number of creative ideas you can try out. For instance, if you want a bed headboard, you can simply use old doors. Old chairs and tables can also be transformed into stunning new pieces. By thinking outside the box, you’ll protect the environment and give your home a unique flair.

Install energy-saving lighting and fixtures.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home is one of the best ways to increase its value, reduce your energy bill and protect the environment. You should incorporate energy-saving features into your interior design. In some countries, this is becoming increasingly more important. For instance, electricity costs are rising gradually, with Australians paying almost twice as much as Americans. Energy-efficient LED lighting is one of the most popular solutions in Australia and many other countries around the globe. In fact, halogen lights are expected to disappear from Australian stores since they use significantly more energy than LEDs.

Furthermore, Sydney electrician experts now specialize in the LED lighting installation in addition to other electrical services. Switching to energy-saving features can help you increase your savings in the long run by reducing your energy consumption, so it’s definitely an improvement worth investing in.

You can go with other energy-saving fixtures, such as motion sensor lighting or smart switches, energy-efficient electrical devices, Energy Star-rated appliances, etc.

Improve natural light in your home

Aside from installing energy-saving lighting solutions, you should also maximise natural light in your home. This will help you reduce your electricity bill and fill your space with a more positive, open atmosphere. Installing skylights and solar tubes is the best option, especially for the isolated areas, such as the basement. You can also use design tricks, such as placing a lot of mirrors, painting your home brightly and using glossy finishes.

Embellish your windows

Chic window treatments are not only a chic embellishment. They can actually help improve the energy efficiency of your home. They’ll provide you with an additional layer of insulation and protect your space from solar heat gain or loss. This will make your home more comfortable during both winter and summer, which will reduce the use of your airing and cooling systems.

Paint the interior safely

You probably paint your home on a somewhat regular basis to introduce a sense of novelty and freshen up your interior. However, regular paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are highly toxic. They can pollute your indoor air and even cause various health problems. Therefore, it’s advisable that you switch to a low-VOC or VOC-free alternative and paint your home the safe and green way.

Don’t forget to conserve water

Water conservation is another aspect of creating a more sustainable home. You need to install water-saving faucets and shower-heads that will reduce your water consumption. There are plenty of innovative models that will also elevate your home décor. You can go with low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets, which will make a big difference when it comes to your household’s water consumption.

Designing a green, sustainable interior will provide you with numerous benefits while also enabling you to protect the environment.

About the author: Mike Johnston is a home improvement blogger and DIY enthusiast from Sydney. He is a regular writer at Smooth Decorator and Divine Magazine. He has also contributed to numerous other lifestyle, real estate and eco-friendly blogs. Mike’s goal is to create and share meaningful content that helps and inspires people.