The world is at a deadly lock horn with climate emergencies. And as per the IPPC, we and our actions are the leading cause of this change that could usher in catastrophic climate events.
Since carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere is directly proportional to global warming, reducing carbon footprint is critical to fighting these impending events.
Hence, in a way to fight back, the entire world is choosing the path of sustainability, making sustainable choices as much as possible. In the same way, the eco-friendly interior design uses eco-friendly materials with a low environmental impact while also minimising non-renewable materials.
Here’s a guide to ensure your contribution to the fight for climate change via home decor.
Choosing the Best Sustainable Measures and Why It’s Important?
Sustainable interior decoration choices mean choosing design stuff like materials, woods, fabrics, paints, and so on that are made eco-friendly. These choices go a long way to protect the environment, and no artificial material can compare to its authenticity. There are plenty of benefits that come with opting for eco-friendly interior design:
Reduced Exposure to Toxins
Clean and eco-friendly materials are often free from harsh chemical treatments and other toxic substances. Apart from being environmentally beneficial, these materials used as fabrics, paints, covers are also safe for kids and pets. Reduced exposure to toxins also means better air quality.
Low Maintenance Cost
Sustainable elements are often easy to replace and clean, making them low on maintenance while also helping save up on renovation costs. Moreover, when you discard these biodegradable materials, you can rest assured knowing they will not stray in some land for a hundred years! Energy Efficiency
Homes and buildings especially are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, as they consume tonnes of energy. However, when it comes to interior design, you can take charge of heat emissions and light emissions in your home via sustainable choices available today.
Environmentally Safe
Last, but perhaps the biggest reason why choosing sustainable interior design elements is beneficial is because these choices limit carbon footprint.
Our choices in daily lives (what we eat, how we travel, what we use among others) critically impact the world we live in. Interior decor is very much a part of those choices that can have an environmental impact -- both good and bad. Hence it is critical to choose sustainable options.
Will Choosing Sustainable Interior Design Limit My Choice?
You might think that choosing sustainable interior design means your interior home options are limited and bleak, but you’re wrong!
Sustainable interior design is not only about installing solar panels and reducing water usage. It’s also not just about recycling old materials and reusing the same furniture. We will show you why it is so much more.
Below are some eco-friendly interior design tips for incorporating in your home:
1. Go Green
Try to opt for sustainable options whenever possible while you choose materials for your interior decor. For instance, choose paints that do not emit VOC. In the same way, opt for biodegradable wallpapers if you’re using that. Use LEDs across your home instead of regular CFLs. Opt for fabrics for curtains, rugs and floor mats that are 100% recyclable or sustainably made.
2. Increased Natural Lighting
Increased use of natural lighting by incorporating more oversized and higher quality windows to let in more sunlight will automatically reduce energy consumption as there’s less need for artificial light.
During the day, a bit of natural light can go a long way in changing your mood. Increased exposure to sunlight boosts your serotonin levels, making you feel healthier, happier, and full of life.
Natural light also boosts productivity and decreases stress levels. Opening windows also means temperature control, so instead of using air conditioning during the day, just open a window to have a fresh breeze come your way and calm your senses. It’s a good thing the winter is kicking in.
3. Lighter Walls
It’s known that darker colours absorb energy while lighter colours reflect them. To apply the same to your walls! Lighter shades mean a cooler environment, as they reflect light and heat, whereas darker shades absorb heat and require artificial lighting as visibility and light reflectivity is low.
Even your wall finishings should be of natural materials such as wood or cork.
4. Use Eco-friendly and Natural Materials
For eco-friendly interior design, you’ll need furniture made from natural wood or other organic materials. For instance, you can choose bamboo for decor.
Bamboo is renewable and has a high growth rate, which means they grow back faster, making it one option that is sustainable and stylish. Bamboo and cork can be used for your flooring or furniture.
Tables and countertops can have organic materials such as marble or natural stone such as travertine. Opt for latex as a finish for your upholsteries.
Remember, anything that doesn’t look natural is probably not natural. So get rid of chrome-plated interiors, plastics, polyesters, etc.
5. Ditch VOC-Heavy Products
VOC or volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals found in everyday household products, such as adhesives, paints, air fresheners, and cleaning products. VOC can also be found in artificial fibres, diffusers, candles.
VOC evaporates quickly at room temperature, contributing to health issues such as nausea, headaches, nervous system disturbances, and even liver damage and cancer.
A way to reduce VOC emission is to incorporate furniture with no added formaldehyde and eco-friendly paints and do not contain lead.
Another way to cut VOC emissions at homes is by opting for carpets with natural fibres such as silk or wool and using natural scents made from natural oils for your diffusers and candles.
Lastly, use eco-friendly cleaning products that don’t contain any harmful toxins.
6. Use Natural Textiles
Did you know that carpets can absorb up to 10% of a room’s heat? As a result, they’re great thermal insulators and also trap dust and allergens. Of course, it’s a bonus that they look good too. But these merits won’t be enough if the material is synthetic.
Synthetic textiles are bound to end up in landfills, and it’s time we stopped using them altogether. When installing carpets or even cushion covers and curtains, try to opt for wool as it is hypoallergenic, biodegradable, anti-bacterial, and dust and mite-resistant.
If not wool, you can go for jute, silk, and even cotton. These materials are biodegradable and do not emit VOCs, making them low on harmful impact and high on sustainability!
We hope the above eco-friendly interior design tips were helpful and shined a light on the importance of sustainability. Now you can be a clean and green citizen and work towards achieving a safer and cleaner earth.
Book a design consultation with us at HipCouch today.