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The interior design industry is currently booming. Innovation is at an all-time high when it comes to creating spaces by consuming natural resources like rainwater collection to supplement water needs and using environment-friendly materials such as bamboo to design furniture and other things.
Sustainability within design reflects the sincere commitment to protecting the environment. It is involved in many aspects of a project to cut down waste and pollution for a less environmental impact.
Let’s get into the details of sustainable design and why it matters so much!
What is Sustainable Interior Design
A green design that helps reduce the carbon footprint while maximizing comfort and functionality is important for modern construction. Sustainable design helps make buildings more environment-friendly by incorporating eco-friendly materials, employing energy-efficient technology, and emphasizing the reusability and recyclability of materials.
The most effective sustainable practices will also be able to create comfortable spaces, which are aesthetically pleasing, and cost-efficient for the occupants.
For example: Why would you buy a sofa stuffed with chlorinated polyester? When you can choose a more green option, a sofa made with recycled plastic bottles or wool.
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Why Sustainability within Interior Design Matters?
Besides being suitable for the environment, an eco-friendly design is also good for the home. It helps save money, creates a safer living space, and above all, it provides you peace of mind. If you’ve taken the time to find the perfect home, perhaps searching for ideal 55+ communities, the last thing you’ll want is to feel uncomfortable or out of place in your home – peace of mind is more important than a lot of people realize.
When we talk about Sustainability in interior design, it means using materials that are efficient, non-toxic, and biodegradable; moreover, it means reusing materials whenever possible. But it doesn’t stop there. It also means designing your home to make the most of natural light and airflow to reduce the usage of artificially generated energy that you need to keep your house cool or warm, bright or dark.
There are many ways that Sustainability within the design can help save money and decrease waste. For instance, installing energy-efficient appliances will help lower your utility bills while reducing energy consumption. You can also use recycled materials in place of new ones when possible. This will not only cut the cost but also help protect natural resources.
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Tips for Creating a Sustainable Interior Design
Green design is a priority for many homeowners, and it’s easy to see why. Achieving energy efficiency in your home will mean reducing energy bills while creating an environmentally friendly space that leads to doing your part to help protect the planet.
Here are some tips for green interior design:
Use recycled materials when possible. This includes things like furniture made of reclaimed wood or metal and fabrics made out of recycled plastic bottles.
Choose natural materials over synthetic ones because they’re better for both humans and Earth. For example, wool is a renewable resource that would not shed toxins into our air as polyester does!
Choose low-VOC paints and stains over traditional options; these won’t release harmful gasses into your home or office building’s air supply as they dry out over time.
Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs; these will help save money by cutting electricity costs and reducing CO2 emissions from power plants.
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Materials that are Good for Your Space and the Environment:
Let’s now discuss the kind of materials that support a sustainable design.
Recycled Steel eliminates the vast amount of energy and emissions produced during iron ore, limestone, and coal extraction, primary building materials. For example, creating steel out of recycled material uses 75 percent less energy than producing other products from its raw form.
Sheep’s wool: It is a more sustainable and renewable resource.
Bamboo: It grows back quickly within 3-5 years and is completely biodegradable, eco-friendly, and antibacterial.
Hemp-lime: It combines hemp shiv, water, and lime to create concrete-like material that is durable, flexible, strong, and fire-resistant.
Organic cotton: It is grown without the use of herbicides and other chemical fertilizers and greatly influences the environment as well as your health.
Felt: It is a textile material produced by condensing, matting, and pressing fibers together. Mostly it is used in the manufacturing of drapes and furniture.
Jute: It is an effective source of renewable material and grows quickly within 4-6 months. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen faster than trees.
What responsibilities Do Interior Designers have Regarding Sustainability?
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There are many things that Interior Designers can do to contribute positively to our world. The first is to be aware of how the products they choose are sourced and manufactured and, if possible, use only those that contribute positively to the environment.
The second is to ensure that their designs are as energy-efficient as possible. This may include passive solar design, passive ventilation, lighting, air-conditioning systems, etc. And the third is to council and encourage their clients to make their homes as eco-friendly as possible by recommending environment-friendly appliances, including lighting fixtures and heating/cooling systems.
Final Words
As interior designers, we are constantly asked why sustainable interior design matters. Sustainability is a part of our everyday practices. It is an artistic expression of our design influence, so the implication is that there are various elements that we can put into practice to make our homes energy-efficient.
If you want help in executing green design in your home, contact us at Lauren Ashley Design. Our expert team will help you figure out how to bring eco-friendly elements into your home’s visual life. Check out our services on the website!
About Me
Lauren started her career as an e-designer in college. She transitioned her company into a DVA services business, assisting other designers, architects, and contractors quickly growing a strong clientele. Her heart’s passion is rendering but what makes her DVA business different is marketing strategies. Lauren truly believes in the power of marketing your business as a DVA or interior designer is the way to success. Over recent years, Lauren has become proficient in graphic design tools like Canva and Photoshop and she is ready to share what she has learned with you! She uses these tools daily in her life as a DVA, with her design clients and her personal projects. Helping you build a professional visual presentation to stand apart from the rest is what she lives for.
Lauren holds a Bachelors’s Degree in Interior Design, a Master’s Degree in Visual Communication Design, and beginning her Ph.D. in Strategic Media this summer. With over 5 years under her belt in the E-design industry, she knows what it takes for your graphics and designs to catch the eye of your ideal client. Contact her today for questions or 1:1 training
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