Sustainable Interior Design: How to Bring Organic Elements into the Home

The sustainable movement is here to stay and in the interior design world, that refers to a system in which all materials are chosen and implemented with an emphasis on minimizing the negative impacts on the environment, economic, and social systems. Greener design is the long term approach to reduce our carbon footprint within our homes. With the ecological movement being such a success, however, old ways have still persisted in interior design until recently. Many materials were sourced from places that have negative effects on local ecosystems and a lot of essential home improvement and construction products contained noxious chemicals. So how do we achieve a new level of sustainability within our homes? Eco-friendly trends are emerging more and more, and you’ll see a lot more of that in the upcoming year since sustainability is one of the main 2022 interior design trends. But it’s more than just looking the part – try these green techniques to reduce your own carbon footprint right at home!

Here are some ways to implement the green, organic nature newly found and sought after in current interior design:

1. Opt for energy efficient designs. Doing so will reduce the need for appliances, lighting, and heating. Look into government incentives for solar powered electricity and more – not only will you save money on electricity but you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint.
2. Choose eco-friendly materials. This means choosing furniture, decor, and accessories that are recycled and reused and choosing materials that are from certified sustainable sources. Think in terms of bio-glass, reclaimed wood, recycled metals, and jute.
3. Use glass over plastic. Glass can be a gorgeous additive to any design style and can be used in place of plastics. Opt for glass pendant lights, glass tables over plastic, and more. Using glass instead of plastic will also give your home that eco-friendly, trendy feel.
4. Choose green finishes. This goes for paint and other materials that are otherwise toxic – be sure to choose ones that are “non-toxic,” “low-biocide,” etc. Not only will this help the environment and lower your carbon footprint, but it will also improve the air quality in your home. Win-win.
5. Real plants are the way to go. Again, they’ll improve the air quality in your home and it’s a great way to have some warm, natural livelihood in your home. Make sure you research the best plants for the level of care you can provide and fill your home with gorgeous greenery! It just so happens to be a plus that it’s a top 2022 interior design trend.
6. Grow your own vegetable garden. When we think of sustainability we think of providing for ourselves using resources found within nature. Sustainable interior design is no different! Honestly – it’s so much fun, even if you don’t have the best green thumb. If you live in an area where you experience any type of frost, look into indoor smart gardens for the ability to grow your own produce all year long. They’re also great for those of you who lack a green thumb! Not only do they water and take care of themselves but they provide enough light for the vegetable, flower, fruit, or herbs to grow much faster than they would outside. My favorite is Click and Grow’s Smart Garden because they’re all organic – I bought one for my sister for Christmas and she absolutely loves watching her plants quickly grow (and not die!)
7. DIY upgrades are an easy way to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Instead of getting rid of that old dresser, fix it up with a little bit of paint, new knobs, and give it a whole new life! Chairs and couches make great DIY upholstery projects – not to mention the amount of money you’ll be saving by making old things new again.
8. Buying used doesn’t have to mean buying something old. You’ll be amazed at the decor and furniture you’ll find either discounted or free just by joining your local Facebook marketplace groups. Try searching for keywords in Facebook groups such as “*your location* virtual yard sale” or “*your location* consignment.”
9. Minimalist consumption displayed in the home will echo an eco-friendly lifestyle. Adopting the minimalist design will also help you adopt a minimalist mindset which will not only reduce unneeded clutter in the home but will also teach you that you don’t need so many materialistic things. Switching to organic, green, and eco-friendly habits will overall reduce your carbon footprint.
10. Choose certified sustainable interior design resources – this is so important when it comes to implementing an eco-friendly design in your home. Ordering “natural” and “organic” items from companies overseas may seem like a good idea but you have to remember to take travel into account. Shipping the items to you will cost CO2 which no longer makes it a sustainable purchase. Consider shopping from smaller and local businesses when buying new products!

Sustainable interior design doesn’t have to look ugly or break the bank. Implementing these ten tips are essential when it comes to lowering your carbon footprint within your home. Although it’s currently a trend, designers have decidedly chosen to make the switch to sustainable interior design and choose greener products that reduce negative affects on our environment!