Words Louise Higgins
A growing understanding of the impact we have on the ecosystem has led to a rise in sustainable interior design that aims to create elegant home interiors while also respecting the environment.
Sustainable interior design is all about creating interior spaces that promote healthy living, waste reduction, energy efficiency and longevity. We owe it to ourselves and the environment to make sustainable choices when choosing materials, products and energy sources for our homes. Whether building a new property, renovating an old one, or simply making your home more eco-friendly, these tips will help you create a more sustainable home.
Green energy
Reduce carbon emissions by using a renewable energy system to provide heat, hot water or electricity. Options for renewable systems include solar panels, heat pumps and solar photovoltaic panels. Also, look at upgrading insulation, and ensure that doors and windows are energy-efficient, all of which will combine to lower your carbon footprint, save on energy bills and increase the value of your home.
Eco-friendly materials
When choosing new furniture, fixtures and fittings, think twice about the products you select. Today there is a growing market for affordable yet stylish eco-friendly products that are made from quality materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled metal, bamboo, cork and jute fibres. The sustainability of a material is determined by its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials through to production, use, disposal and eventual recycling. Note that easy-to-clean surfaces and materials require fewer cleaning products, which can be harmful to our environment.
Adaptable spaces designed for longevity
Adaptable layouts and furniture that can be easily modified to suit your family’s needs at different stages help to avoid the need to renovate spaces in their entirety. Incorporating flexible elements such as modular flooring or modular furniture offers more longevity. Choose products that can evolve to suit your family’s needs, like extendable beds designed to grow with your child. In addition, you can opt to choose furniture that is easy to disassemble and transport should you decide to move.
Kitchens
When selecting materials for a kitchen there are numerous elements to consider, such as countertops, cabinets and flooring. So think about the materials you choose and how renewable they are, how far they need to travel, whether they’re fit for purpose and if they’ll be long-lasting. Plus consider if the chosen material can eventually be reused, recycled or repurposed.
Energy-efficient appliances such as dishwashers, ovens, microwaves and refrigerators are other great ways to reduce your environmental footprint.
When discarding old or broken appliances, please do so ethically by recycling at a registered recycling centre.
Bathrooms
When it comes to designing a new bathroom or modernising an existing one, there are many products that are not only environmentally friendly but also look fantastic. Where possible opt for porcelain, glass, bamboo, cork, clay, ceramic and stone for fittings, furniture and flooring. These natural materials tend to last a long time, but when the time does come to replace them, they can be reused.
You might also want to consider water-saving products like contactless taps, optimised flushing with a dual flush system, easy-clean rimless toilets and rain showerheads.
In addition, you could try to source recyclable bathroom furnishings, recyclable bathroom textiles and eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries.
Windows
Doors and windows are a critical component in ensuring the sustainability of your home because up to 40% of heat lost in the average home is through doors and windows. So the materials used to construct windows will be of major concern. Try to use those that have the least environmental impact.
Choosing sustainable curtain fabrics does not mean you need to sacrifice style. There are many elegant but durable eco-friendly fabrics, including organic and recycled fabrics.
Avoid Volatile Organic Compounds (vocs)
Many household materials and products, such as furnishings, flooring and paint, give off VOCs that easily evaporate at room temperature. So keep your home healthy and sustainable by using low or zero VOC paints and flooring that is low in VOCs, such as cork, bamboo, linoleum or reclaimed hardwood. For splashbacks, select eco-friendly tiles such as recycled glass.
Upcycle and recycle
Reinvent, reimagine, repurpose and transform pre-loved pieces to give them a new lease of life. Simple updates, like repainting a dresser and changing its handles or reupholstering a chair, can give furniture a whole new look. Selling unwanted items or donating them to charity is another wonderful way of preventing items from going to landfill.
More tips for a sustainable home
- Install thermostatic valves on radiators.
- Insulate lofts and cavity walls.
- Replace old boilers for more energy efficiency.
- Use energy-saving light bulbs.
- Use a chimney balloon when the fireplace
is not in use. - Switch off lights and electrical equipment when not required.
- Introduce air-purifying houseplants.
- Keep air vents clean to maximise airflow.
- Update to smart technology to control heating and lighting remotely.
- Harvest rainwater for domestic use such as watering plants, cleaning and car washing.
- Adopt a more sustainable laundry routine by washing at low temperatures, using an eco-detergent and air-drying.
Louise Higgins, founder of Aspire Design, is an award-winning designer and a graduate of the Interior Design Academy of Ireland. Louise is a full member of the Interiors Association and is also a member of the Crafts Council of Ireland. For further advice, contact Louise at +353 45 982265 or louise@aspiredesign.ie
- ‘Creating a sustainable home’ is published in Anthology Volume 19. Read more features from this volume or buy it now.
- Browse more features in interiors.
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