An eco-friendly home doesn’t have to be merely functional. Many designers nowadays specialize in creating cutting-edge, stylish interiors through the creative and innovative use of reclaimed materials used in an intelligent way.
Completely green homes are specifically designed to be resource-efficient and environmentally responsible. Every aspect of such a house will be given the eco-friendly touch, including both interior and exterior design elements. Even its operation and maintenance functions will be carried out with “green” issues in mind, ensuring, for example, that excess energy and toxic substances are not released into the environment.
Design within everyone’s reach
There are many ways for the average homeowner to make their environment more eco-friendly yet stylish without being at the cutting-edge of research. Using readily available energy-efficient appliances is a good place to start. There are also many green alternatives for some of the more attractive and unusual accessories and decorations. There is now a growing trend among artists and independent interior designers to work more with found and recycled objects to create unique art and furniture that is friendly to the environment.
Use sustainable materials
The use of sustainable materials is another obvious way in which the average homeowner can help protect the environment. As well as using the least amount of energy in their creation, they also involve less wastage and derive from stocks that do not deplete as we use them. Some examples are adobe, clay, cork and hay. These materials are also very durable and so objects that utilize them will not have to be replaced for some time, thereby again limiting waste.
Stylish accessories
When choosing eco-friendly interior design elements for the average home, style need in no way be compromised. Stylish bed sheets made from organic cotton or renewable bamboo are, for example, readily available in most large stores these days to meet the growing demand. Homeowners can go for the Scandinavian look for floors with natural pine flooring, but even carpets are now often made from formaldehyde-free, recycled fibers. Slate, stone and even concrete flooring can also be extremely stylish.
Recycle
An old sofa can be rejuvenated with pillows and a slipcover made from purely recycled materials. The china cabinet can be refreshed by the addition of glass plates made from bright, recycled material, and the use of sustainable furniture in innovative designs will transform a dining room or living room. Many items around the home can be pressed into different uses by the application of a little creative input and elbow grease.
Go for shutters
The thermal insulation of windows can be greatly increased by the use of stylish plantation shutters. These will greatly increase a room’s energy efficiency, and as well as being more hygienic than fabric blinds and curtains, they are better for security, privacy and blocking unwanted external noise. Shutters are also great at eliminating external light and are extremely easy to maintain and keep clean.
Eco-friendly interior design can be aesthetically pleasing, calming and surprisingly inexpensive. With all sorts of new and stylish materials and items coming onto the market every day, this is definitely the way forward for the average homeowner looking to help the embattled environment.