Sustainable Interior Design: Trends and Tips for Eco-Friendly Homes

Interior design is one of the best ways to show who we are, allowing ideals like sustainability and eco-consciousness to take the stage. Whether you're new to going green or a seasoned pro interested in new ideas, you're not alone in this journey.

These are some of the top tips and trends for sustainable interior design, and they will help you tell if it's right for you!


Embracing Natural Materials

Natural wood is one of the hottest trends of the year. From beautiful cedar decking to gorgeous natural wood throughout the kitchen, you can make your home a dream come true with this simple swap.

You can go beyond wood by using natural stone as well! If you want the best results, consider going for wood and stone that's natural in the area you live in. Not only will this look incredible, but it can also be more sustainable if sourced well.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the most popular ways to make a property more sustainable. Not only does it reduce the drain on the local environment, but it also helps homeowners save money on their monthly bills and increases property value.

With all of this in mind, remember that your comfort still matters. Although the best temperature for summer apartments is higher if you're considering energy efficiency, it's not always comfortable to live in an 85-degree apartment just because it's 100 degrees outside. Try to find a balance between energy efficiency and comfort.


Minimizing Waste
​
With the mass popularity of recycling, it's easy to hope that waste will be reduced, but the average American still creates tons of trash and waste every year. Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle what you can, but there are more options than just these three!

Selling and donating older items you don't want can also be helpful. This is especially important if you're updating appliances that work but need more energy efficiency. Give your old products a second life by passing them on to someone who needs them.


Incorporating Biophilic Design

Biophilic design has been a buzzword for many years, and for good reason! This design idea pushes people to lean into more natural materials and styles, emphasizing plant life, which is good for the home's oxygen and mental health.

This is best done in spaces like kitchens and home offices, which can benefit from the big boost of inspiration that comes from being in a biophilic space. Remember your abilities, though, and don't bite off more than you can chew. An office with a couple of fiddle-leaf figs may seem beautiful, but if you can't maintain them, it could be a better idea to go with pothos instead.


Choosing Low-VOC and Non-Toxic Materials

Our air quality and health matter. When you're building or redesigning your home, it's important to stop and consider the impact of every stain, dye, and material you pick. Remember to clean and replace your filters often and build for your future.

Just because a company says it's green doesn't necessarily mean it's safe or trustworthy. The most important thing you can do is stop and research anything you can. Over time, this will become second nature and save you a lot of stress and work.

Greenwashing is extremely popular right now, so look beyond the buzzwords companies use to label their products and research how they're made, what materials are used, and how safe they are for the consumer.


Investing in Quality Over Quantity

Quality over quantity is one of those sayings that's been overdone constantly, but it's popular for a reason. Investing in high-quality wood, stone, and other materials will ensure they last longer and look fantastic. Although you can initially afford more with low-quality materials, you'll have to pay more in the long term when you replace them.

The quality you choose matters more when you're dealing with items like rooftop flooring tiles. Nobody wants to use subpar materials when they could put someone's life at risk.


Updating With Maintenance In Mind
​
When updating your home, remember how much future maintenance you're creating for yourself. Although all homes need some base layer of maintenance performed, you need to keep up with the major things to avoid becoming overwhelmed and worse than you were when you started off.

Use high-quality materials, set a maintenance schedule, and consider getting a home inspection for tips on what needs work the most. This will save you from struggling in the long term.


Your Property Can Be Eco-Friendly in No Time

We only have one Earth, so we all must take steps towards making it an awesome place to live. Consider following some of these ideas, and check out Jill Seidner's Interior Design for more tips!


Author Bio
Andrea Erickson is a freelance writer who loves sharing her knowledge and expertise in renovation and Interior Design. She lives in her hometown of Austin, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and decorating with her children. Andrea’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.