5 tips to help you out in designing an eco-friendly and sustainable space.
Anywhere you look, design is present everywhere. Even though the concept of design might seem complex at times, we are involved with it in our daily lives. When we talk about design for our homes, the primary goal is to fulfill our requirements and think of our future generations as well.
The concept of sustainable design is growing like wildfire and for the right reasons. If you are still somewhat confused or unaware about sustainable and eco friendly interior design and you are wondering- what is sustainable interior design, we are here to help you out.
Sustainable interior design means utilizing environmentally friendly materials and designing a space which eliminates any negative impact to the environment.
Designing your house in an eco friendly and sustainable manner is a step towards contributing to a better environment and improving your carbon footprint. The primary objective involved in sustainable interior design is to minimize waste and reduce the consumption of non renewable resources.
And trust us when we say this, there are a lot of ways you can do this. Let us dive right into it.
5 tips to design a sustainable and eco-friendly space.
- Opt for eco-friendly materials.
The problem of pollution is growing with time and there are a lot of items used in our daily lives which contain harmful and toxic chemicals. These chemicals are extremely harmful for the environment when they are released and it is high time for designers to be responsible for choosing the ideal products while designing any project.
It is always suggested to choose sustainable materials for interior design whether it is your furniture, carpets or even flooring. Instead of getting wood for your furniture by cutting down trees, choose reclaimed wood which recycles old wood and will give a rustic vibe to your space. You can also go for other eco-friendly materials like bamboo, bioglass, cork, recycle plastic, jute, etc while choosing products for the elements in your house.
- Select sustainable lighting options.
Lighting is an essential aspect in designing a house and green design can be implemented easily if you think of proper strategies. Choose LED bulbs which are much better for the environment instead of regular bulbs since they consume at least 75% less energy and are durable. Installing LED bulbs is not only environmentally friendly, but it is a cost-effective and attractive option at the same time.
Also make sure plenty of natural light comes into your house so that switching on bulbs during the day is not necessary.
- Installation of water saving fixtures.
Water is an essential resource which is so vital for every single creature on earth but the crisis for drinking water has been increasing since the past few years. So saving water is very important and if you are getting the opportunity to do that while designing your home, why not go ahead with it?
You can reduce water wastage by installing water fixtures which will decrease the flow of shower heads, taps and toilets. You can even save rain water and use that to water the plants in your house instead of wasting tap water. There are small little actions but they will definitely help in working for a greater cause.
- Think about proper insulation while designing your home.
Insulation is a major factor which many people forget while designing their space. If you are thinking about creating an eco-friendly home, research well about insulation and invest in proper choices. We used air conditioners for a long duration of time during the summers and heaters to keep ourselves warm during the winters. Investing in quality insulation will make sure your house will stay cool during the hotter months and warm in the winters.
This will minimize the usage of heating and cooling units on a regular basis which will further lead to reduction in energy consumption.
- Always focus on durability of materials you choose.
When it comes to designing a home, a lot of thinking goes into the process and there are a lot of elements to take care of including furniture, washroom fixtures, decor elements like rugs and carpets and pillows, lighting options, electronic items and so much more. Always opt for durable materials and products which will last long and will be beneficial to the environment.
Having frequent extensions, refurbishment and renovations means using more and more materials every time and will also increase waste production. Hence it is suggested to go for products with a longer life span as it is much better for the environment and will fulfill your desire of designing a sustainable home. Materials like stone, concrete, bricks last for a long time and are eco friendly if any disposal or demolition takes place later on.
Apart from the above mentioned 5 tips, there are many other ways to create an environmentally sustainable interior design. You can of course hire a designer who is well versed with sustainable interior design course or you can also go ahead with the process yourself after doing proper research.
Solar power is a trending source of energy now and you can install solar panels for reduction in energy consumption and saving money in the future. Keeping beautiful plants indoors can help in proper circulation of air and keep your home fresh. If you have a fireplace at home or you are thinking of including it in your design, you can use bio-fuel instead of coal and save non renewable resources.
As we have already mentioned, there are a lot of sustainable interior design ideas and it's all about making the smart choice. You will not only be creating a functional house which will fulfill all your requirements, but your space will also be eco-friendly and help in the protection of the environment.
