Eco-Friendly Design | Here Are 3 Expert Ways To Create Sustainable Homes
One of the priorities for modern homeowners is sustainable living, focusing on smart choices for their homes that reduce carbon footprints and support green initiatives – from materials to appliances.
Interior design is following suit with a shift to eco-friendly design and spaces that conserve resources and reduce waste. This trend is not only apparent in new construction homes but in renovations for older homes, proving that everyone can live a little greener. Here are some ways interior design is shifting to sustainability.
Creating a more sustainable home doesn't have to be overwhelming—these expert-backed eco-friendly design tips make it easy to go green without sacrificing style.
Sustainable Materials
Interior design choices reflect the taste of the homeowner, often through color and material choices that create a cohesive look. However, there are ways to balance sustainable material choices with a desired aesthetic.
Furniture is a big part of style, but it’s also a big concern for the environment. Most furniture is produced in large factories and contributes to deforestation and pollution. Choosing sustainable materials for your furniture can make an impact, such as:
- Reclaimed wood: Reclaimed wood offers a touch of history and an attractive aesthetic. Each piece of reclaimed furniture has a story, such as wood from an old barn or an antique that’s survived through generations. Using reclaimed wood reduces the demand for newly harvested lumber and can help reduce waste while preserving forests.
- Bamboo: Bamboo is a versatile and eco-friendly grass that’s a sustainable alternative to many hardwoods. It grows quickly, reaching maturity in just a few years instead of decades, and offers strength and durability. Bamboo can be used for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, textiles, and many other purposes in your home.
- Cork: Harvested from cork oak trees, cork is a natural and renewable resource that’s carefully stripped from trees every nine years. Because of this break, the cork bark trees have an opportunity to regenerate and sustain future harvests. Cork is also naturally antimicrobial, lightweight, and offers exceptional sound-absorbing and insulating qualities for flooring, furniture, and other applications.
- Recycled materials: Recycled materials for countertops, glass, fabrics, and other uses can reduce plastic waste. These materials come from recycled plastic bottles, preventing them from ending up in landfills and reducing the demand for new, less sustainable materials.
Energy-Efficient Eco-Friendly Design
Energy efficiency is a high priority for homeowners, not just for utility savings but eco-friendliness. Natural lighting is often preferred over artificial lighting because it has dramatic effects on our moods and reduces energy use.
Here are some ways you can adopt a more energy-efficient design:
Skylights
Skylights are a beautiful addition that can bring in a lot of natural light and create a sense of openness – perfect for smaller spaces. Consider areas where you can add skylights to dramatically change the look of the space.
Solar tubes are another option that brings sunlight in from the roof and channels it into your interior spaces. The advantage of solar tubes is that they’re designed to be installed quickly with no major modifications to your attic or roof for a big impact with a lower investment.
Open Concept
Open-concept homes are popular because of their feeling of airiness and the flow of natural light. They also allow artificial light to be cast in more spaces, reducing your lighting and energy needs.
If you don’t have an open floor plan, you can create more open space by removing non-load-bearing walls. The kitchen and dining areas are a good place to start, as they create more conversation spaces and connect the common living areas.
Reflective Surfaces
Reflective surfaces can increase natural lighting if they’re placed strategically. They also help rooms feel brighter and more open, especially in small rooms.
Think of areas where you can add a mirror, such as opposite a window or on a large, blank wall. You could also use reflective surfaces in smaller areas, such as mirrored tiles for a backsplash or mirrored closet doors in the bedroom to open the space.
Window Placement and Orientation
Though it may not seem like much, the placement of your windows affects how your home is lit. It’s important to consider the path of the sun as it rises and falls throughout the day. South-facing windows bring in most of the sunlight, especially during the shorter winter days.
Similarly, east-facing windows provide plenty of early morning light, which is a nice touch for the kitchen or dining area. West-facing windows bring light in during the afternoon, so consider this when designing your bedrooms and living spaces.
Water Conservation
Water is a precious and finite resource that every living thing needs to survive. Unfortunately, freshwater sources are under pressure, so one of the most important aspects of sustainability is reducing unnecessary water consumption as much as possible.
Interior design choices, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, can support water conservation – and reduce your water bill – with a few upgrades:
Water-conservation fixtures: Upgrading to water-saving fixtures can reduce your home’s overall water consumption. Low-flow showerheads and faucets during a bathroom remodel reduce water waste in the bathroom and kitchen without sacrificing ideal water pressure. Another option is a dual-flush toilet that allows you to choose between low and full-flush options as needed.
- Water-efficient appliances: Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can use a lot of water. When you’re shopping for new appliances, look for updated high-efficiency technologies that are designed to reduce water waste without sacrificing performance.
- Greywater systems: Although they’re more common in commercial spaces, greywater systems can preserve water resources by recycling water from showers, sinks, and washing machines for reuse. Instead of wasting fresh water, this non-potable water can be used for irrigation, toilet flushing, and similar applications.
Design a Sustainable Home
Designing your home comes with a balance of aesthetics and practicality. Fortunately, sustainable design choices can give you the best of both worlds, creating unique looks that are gentle on the environment – and save you a little money on utility costs in the process. For your next renovation, consider how you could upgrade with more eco-friendly design options that are as beautiful as they are sustainable.
With these simple yet impactful eco-friendly design strategies, you’re well on your way to building a home that’s not only beautiful but better for the environment too.
Blog written by: Rebecca Denis
Head of Design at Revive Real Estate, is an accomplished and highly creative interior designer with over ten years of experience in the industry. With a passion for transforming spaces and a keen eye for detail, she has successfully completed numerous projects ranging from commercial spaces to custom show homes
WHERE TO NEXT:
