48% of consumers are ready to change their shopping and lifestyle habits to save the environment. As more and more people begin to prioritize sustainable living, interior design trends are evolving to meet this increasing demand. Using eco-friendly materials, replacing old appliances, and incorporating a minimalist aesthetic are some key ways you can be conscious, mindful, and eco-friendly about your home design.
Use eco-friendly materials
Eco-friendly design materials can help create a stylish, sustainable home that minimizes your carbon footprint. Recycled metal, for example, is typically used to create eco-friendly furniture, lighting fixtures, and art sculptures. Steel, in particular, can be used to establish a modern, industrial look while being durable and non-toxic (it can also be recycled an infinite number of times).
Alternatively, bamboo is a sustainable alternative to wood; it has a range of interior uses from furniture and flooring to utensils. Unlike wood, bamboo requires less pesticides and fertilizers to grow and harvest and takes just three to four months to reach maturity.
Replace old home appliances
Older home appliances are typically less energy-efficient than newer models designed with sustainability in mind. A still-functioning older appliance that’s seen better days will generally require more energy to run, in turn driving up your power bill and carbon footprint. Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient models is often therefore kinder to the planet.
For example, old refrigerators typically use around 33% more energy than newer, sustainable models. In this case, a replacement would also save you over $140 in energy costs over five years. Just be sure to dispose of any old appliances responsibly. Consider recycling, selling, or giving away old appliances that are still in working condition.
Go minimalist
More than simply just being on-trend, creating a clean and simple minimalist home can help you live a more sustainable lifestyle as less resources are required. For example, multi-use furniture like nesting tables, coffee tables that double as seating, shelving that functions as room dividers, and daybeds lets you reuse and repurpose pieces as needed. With multi-use furniture, you don’t need as much furniture as you otherwise would, which in turn helps conserve natural resources.
Creating a sustainable home can help save the environment and lower your carbon footprint. By using eco-friendly materials, replacing old appliances, and incorporating minimalist design, you can easily create a stylish and greener home.
