1. Choose Eco-friendly Materials (Furniture, Flooring & Rugs)
Keep in mind that “going green” doesn’t always mean making changes to your own life, like installing solar panels, using less water, or switching to LED light bulbs. Other decorative elements, like the materials you choose for your furniture, floor coverings, and other architectural design, can also help you live in a way that is good for the environment. Let’s look at how these eco-friendly materials are used in design in the real world:
Reclaimed Wood – Barn Wood or Weathered Wood
Making furniture out of living trees is not a green choice. Reclaimed wood, on the other hand, is made by giving old materials a new, green use. Use reclaimed wood to make a quick change to your home’s decor. In a home with a rustic look, barn wood can be used for mantels, rocking chairs, coffee tables, and even the floor.
Bamboo
A tropical grass that looks and works like wood but is stronger and lasts longer than wood because it is made of metal. People usually think of bamboo as a type of grass, not a tree. One of the plants that grows the fastest and is a great renewable resource. Bamboo has a small impact on the environment because it needs little or no pesticides or fertilizers.
Recycled Metal
Metal can be used for many things, and recycling or reusing it can help the environment and be useful. Its smooth look can also add a touch of eco-friendly industrial style to your home. By recycling metal and plastic, companies that make furniture can save a lot of energy and water. Also, the quality of metal that has been recycled never goes down.
Bio-Glass
This eco-friendly, biodegradable alternative could be used to make bathroom sinks, counters, and flooring, among other things. This material is used to make solid-surfacing slabs. It is made from recycled glass that has been heated and pressed together.
Cork
Even though cork seems soft and can be pushed down, cork floors are made to look and feel like hardwood. The cork industry is environmentally friendly because only the bark of the tree is taken. Cork floors are also good for the environment and last a long time.
Recyled Plastic
There are many ways that recycled plastic can be used in interior design. Ground-up plastic bottles can be used to make carpeting for both inside and outside. Polyethylene can be used to make strong, long-lasting furniture because it is heavy and dense. Because the color is the same throughout the fabric, it doesn’t fade very easily. PET is a type of plastic that is used to make bottles and yarn.
Jute Fibres
A natural fiber that doesn’t cost much and adds a touch of nature to any setting. This coarse material can be used again and again because it quickly grows back. They are a great choice for anyone looking for woven jute rugs that are durable, stylish, and good for the environment. Rugs made from jute are easy to make and don’t cost much. They are also good at keeping heat in.
2. Pick Environmentally Conscious Finishes
Did you know that painting or varnishing raw materials to give them a nice sheen also helps them last longer? Green America says that a volatile organic compound (VOC) is found in many paints and can evaporate at room temperature and stay in the air for weeks. VOCs are especially bad for people’s health because they pollute the air both inside and outside. There are things like biocides, fungicides, and pigments in many finishes that are bad for the environment. These coatings may help you have less of an effect on the environment: Improved the safety of paint “Low VOC” materials were used to finish it. Biodegradable paints The color of milk The use of paints, stains, and sealants that are made with water.If you need inspiration for your place, check out these hotels on Slingo.com.
3. Evaluate Sustainable Lighting Options
The mood of a room is set by all of its parts, including the lighting, not just the furniture. By choosing the right light fixtures, an interior designer can contribute to green design in a way that is both smart and nice to look at. More and more homeowners and city planners are making the switch to LED light bulbs because they are better for the environment. Groups that care about the environment have found that LED bulbs last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy. Now that more efficient LED bulbs are on the market, they can be used instead of incandescent bulbs. Pendant lights and table lamps with LED bulbs are not only better for the environment but also look better.
Examine Your Light Fixtures for Heat Loss
It may seem like doors and windows are the most likely places for cold air to get into your home, but this is not always the case. It is true that putting in recessed ceiling lights can cause heat to escape out the window and through the loft. Check the insulation around the light fixtures in your home on a regular basis. Save money and energy with bulbs that are good for the environment.
Natural Light Source – Sun
You can dim your curtain, use it as a passive light source, or turn it all the way up to suit your needs. You can let the sun in by opening the blinds or choosing sheer, light materials like cotton. Most days have ten to twelve hours of sunlight. These are the perfect times to use less energy and get some sun.
4. Other Green Home Solutions
Almost every part of a modern house can be used to add features that are better for the environment. Sustainable and recycled materials, as well as energy-efficient lighting, can be used to make money as well as help the environment. Ideas for building homes that are good for the environment and save money, as well as less harmful ways to do things that are already done.
Use Biofuel for Fireplaces
In the winter, a working fireplace is a nice thing to have, but it can be a pain to keep up. If you don’t keep up with your fireplace, warm air can get out and cold air can get in. Using a green fuel source in your fireplace is a modern way to make your home cozier and better for the environment.
Antiques – Recyle and Revamp
It’s a great idea to add some vintage pieces to your green home decor. Whether you’re a big collector or you just got some old stuff as a gift, this is always the best choice for the environment. Restoring old furniture like coffee tables, mirrors, and dining room sets is like giving them a second chance. Adding antiques to your home is a great way to update its look and give it a classic, rustic, country feel. If you don’t want to buy brand-new furniture, you can find old pieces and give them a makeover that is both modern and classic.
5. Style Your Interiors The Eco Friendly Way
If you’re an artist who cares about the environment, you might want to try out these styles.
Green Country Look
Furniture with a rustic look is always made from natural materials. Rustic reclaimed wood flooring adds to the overall look of these rooms. These rooms are made over with vintage and used items instead of brand-new ones. This also helps the fight to make the world cleaner and healthier. Keeping things in circulation for longer reduces the need for new, but possibly dangerous, ways to make things. Use a wide range of rustic home accessories to add your own style to your home and make it feel like a home.
Minimal Interiors
By keeping in mind that “less is more,” you can make spaces that are sustainable, functional, and comfortable without hurting the environment. Less damage would be done to the planet’s natural resources if more people followed the minimalist philosophy and got rid of things. Scandinavian design is known for its focus on simplicity and the understated beauty of natural materials. The minimalist way of life is reflected in this way of designing interiors, which uses few nonrenewable resources. You can avoid using processed synthetic materials by making your bedsheets and other furniture out of natural materials like organic cotton, linen, hemp, etc., and by using a small area rug made from jute fibers. During the winter, you could use a biofuel fireplace instead of an electric space heater.
