9 Eco-Friendly (and Stylish) Interior Design Tips for Your Home

With environmental headlines bombarding us from every angle  – the climate crisis, our oceans drowning in plastic, air pollution, de-forestation – it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Believe me; I get it.

We do face the hard truth that things need to change. As individuals, how can we create environmental change in a feasible way? I would suggest that rather than aiming for ‘eco-perfection’, the key is for each of us to begin making more eco-conscious and sustainable choices.

I am certainly no ‘eco-perfectionist’ myself, in fact, far from it! My goal is to try to take small steps towards being more eco-friendly and sharing this knowledge with others.

Is it possible to be sustainable in an inherently unsustainable industry?

As an interior designer with a passion for the environment, this is a burning question for me. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimise waste, and create healthy, productive environments.

There is no escaping the fact that the construction industry (including interior design) does currently have a substantial negative impact on the environment. However, there are thankfully more and more green design options becoming available to us.

And we, as individuals, have our part to play.

How can I be more eco-friendly in the interior design of my home?

Here are my top tips.

1. Use What You Have

In most cases, the most environmentally friendly thing to do is… nothing!

There are many creative solutions we can adopt:

• Repair what you already have.
• Restore older items to bring them back to their original condition.
• Re-upholster sofas to give them a new lease of life.
• Re-purpose by changing something old into a new thing or giving it a new use. 
• Upcycle wooden furniture with a lick of natural chalk paint.

You can do these things yourself or hire a local professional to make your life that little bit easier. By buying less new things, we reduce pollution, save raw materials, and divert things from going to landfill. (Yay!)

2. Buy Better but Buy Less

There will always be instances where we need to buy ‘new’. The most sustainable approach to buying new items is to seek out high quality, durable items that will stand the test of time.

Unfortunately, in this culture of ‘disposability’, we have lost the concept of passing furniture from generation to generation. We must resurrect this culture! Choose timeless furniture pieces that you love, rather than going with fleeting trends.

When choosing new, aim for things that are sustainably made, long-lasting and made from renewable, healthy materials.

I am a massive fan of the furniture by Brdr. Krüger. Their pieces are the epitome of craftsmanship and durability. Each piece is made from natural materials, handcrafted and designed to last. Granted, they will cost that bit more, but you can rest assured it is an investment that will stand to both you and the environment.

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3. Choose Natural Materials

For your soft furnishings – cushions, curtains, throw blankets, bed-clothes, rugs – select natural materials where possible. Linen, wool, hemp, cotton (organic ideally), seagrass and jute are some excellent examples. 

Synthetic fibres are essentially plastic, and they release micro-plastics into our oceans when washed. They are also not biodegradable and so are harmful to the environment.

4. Choose Recycled Materials

It is exciting to see many brands creating products from recycled material. It is worth investigating the options that are out there. I personally love the idea of taking plastic from our oceans and re-imagining it into something beautiful for my home. These items are wonderful talking-points for visitors to your home, and this helps to spread the eco-conscious love! 

Some examples of recycled furniture and homeware:

• Furniture made from recycled (reclaimed) wood
• Vases made from recycled glass
• Cushions made from recycled fabrics
• Lampshades made from recycled cardboard
• Rugs made from recycled plastic (softer than you would imagine!)

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5. Go for LED Lightbulbs & Natural Lampshades

Once your current halogen or fluorescent lightbulbs run out, replace them with LEDs. They are up to 80% more energy-efficient, have a longer lifespan, and are non-toxic at the end of their life.

UK Energy Lighting tells us that fluorescent tube lights are not only extremely poor when it comes to conserving energy; they are also very harmful to the environment. They contain toxic chemicals and elements, including mercury.

When disposed of in landfill sites, the toxic elements from fluorescent tubes can leech out and contaminate the environment. Ensure your old fluorescent tube lights are disposed of correctly. This type of light fixture needs to be collected by a hazardous waste management company, which is guided by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

If you are ever unsure of how or where to manage items of waste responsibly, have a look at mywaste.ie. It is a brilliant aid for finding local waste services, recycling facilities, and information on preventing, reusing and disposing of waste.

When choosing lampshades, go for natural materials such as rattan, bamboo, cane, glass or metal. Avoid plastic lightshades if you can.

6. Consider Water-saving Appliances

Be sure to ask your suppliers for water-saving options on all sanitary ware and appliances. In the bathroom, there are various options on low-flow taps, dual-flush toilets and water-saving shower-heads can make a significant difference.

Also, select the most efficient dishwasher and washing machine to achieve maximum water and energy savings per cycle.

7. Shop ‘Pre-loved’

A hugely eco-friendly approach is to shop second-hand rather than new. The online marketplaces might surprise you with what is on offer.  And there are always some gems to be found in antique, vintage and second-hand shops.

And don’t forget about the salvage yard option. They are brimming with a vast array of unique pieces. We’re talking old-style cast iron baths, Belfast sinks, decorative accessories, indoor and outdoor furniture, enchanting light fixtures and a vast stock of reclaimed timber. You never know what treasures you might find.

A bit of work might be needed to spruce them up to their former glory, but it is most definitely worth it.

Kilkenny Architectural Salvage & Antiques is a superb example of a salvage yard with an enormous range. Ireland-based but they deliver across the UK and Europe! I enjoy keeping an eye on their Instagram page to see their latest wares. (@kilkennyarchitecturalsalvage). A reliable source tells me that some of our finest Irish celebs shop there!

Buy ‘pre-loved’ – It is a sustainable way to pack a punch of personality into your home.

8. Choose FSC Certified Wood Products

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international organisation that certifies wood products that come from sustainable sources.  They promote responsible management of the world’s forests which is hugely important to our earth’s eco-system. Always look for the FSC logo when selecting wood products such as bed-frames, tables, chairs, wall panelling, and even wooden homeware products.

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9. Buy Local

Transporting products from afar results in air-miles which add to the ‘embodied energy’ and increase the carbon footprint of a product. Bear this in mind and shop local where you can. It is so important to support local manufacturers and craftspeople, not only to boost local economies, but also to have a positive impact on the environment.

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 ‘Eco-perfection’ is simply unattainable.

Please don’t let that discourage you from making some simple ‘green’ changes in your life and in your home.

The more we educate ourselves on the topic of sustainability, the more significant the difference we can make together by being mindful of the planet and human health in our designs.

Have a look at the Shop my Favourites page for more tips on where to buy furniture, lighting and accessories for your home 😊