Tips & Trends in Sustainable Interior and Garden Design

Climate change is one of our greatest threats today.

According to Earth.org, if we stay on our current path, the cost of our inaction will be equivalent to 14% of the global GDP by the mid-century.

Fortunately, there are easy ways to have a positive impact on the environment.

In this article, I’ll discuss tips and trends in sustainable interior and garden design. You’ll be surprised by how many cost-effective options are available to you!

**Out With the Old:** Replace and draught-proof timber windows and doors in period homes. The Sash Window Workshop supplies secondary glazing for listed properties!

Sustainability in Interior Design: Top Tips and Trends

How can you reduce your impact on the environment through a sustainable design? Here are some of the best ways!

**Natural Hardwood Contemporary:** Urban Front has steel reinforced doors with high insulation properties. Plus points because its products are all hand-crafted in Britain!

1. Invest in Insulation

According to Eurostat, heating accounts for 64% of energy consumption in residential homes. This means that if you improve your home’s natural temperature regulation, you can cut back on electricity usage.

Start with simple changes to your interior design.

Buy carpets with natural felt or eco-engineered plastic underlay. These carpets can reduce heat loss by up to 10% and provide thermal and sound insulation.

Moreover, you should try installing energy-efficient doors. Weatherstripping your doors gets rid of gaps that let cold drafts in. Sealing these air leaks can save up to 20% of your heating and cooling costs!

**Crucial Trading:** Go for natural floorings like wool, sisals, jute, coir and seagrass. Try the Sisool Rock in Clay colourway.

2. Let the Light In

Aside from installing solar panels, another way to save on electricity is by updating your windows.

During the cold months, 76% of the sunlight that falls into your windows can become heat. Interior designers recommend using interlined curtains and blinds to promote low-energy light sources.

When buying new windows, remember to check their energy efficiency by asking about their Window Energy Rating scale!

**Aesthetic Sustainability:** **Maitland & Poate** are specialists in terracotta and reclaimed encaustic cement tiles. Their hand-painted cement tiles provide the authentic ambience of an original floor. Plus, they also supply eco-friendly VOC and solvent-free lime paints!

3. Shop Sustainably

When shopping for materials for your home, it’s best to choose more sustainable materials.

To do this, opt for wood flooring and furniture made from timbers with a Forest Stewardship Council label, such as bamboo.

Natural stone, porcelain, ceramic, terrazzo, and poured concrete are great floor and wall finishes.

Moreover, invest in renewable fabrics for soft furnishings and window treatments. Include green plant fibres, natural organic cotton, linen, silk, wool, cashmere, and alpaca.

**Salvaging at its Best:** Retrouvius has experience integrating salvaged materials into design. The Reuse in Action section of their website is truly inspiring.

4. Consider Antiques

When shopping, always think of quality over quantity!

Buy furnishings that are easy to clean and maintain. Remember, durable furniture is a long-term investment rather than a short-term trend.

A great way to do this is by introducing antiques and vintage designs to contemporary schemes.

Companies like Retrouvius take this creative approach to interior design. It advocates innovative recycling, repurposing, and upcycling products. What’s more, it has promoted a ‘make do and mend’ ethos in interior design since 1993.

**Go Natural:** Hypnos Beds have a pioneering approach to sustainability in manufacturing beds. This company only uses natural and sustainable materials with no synthetic foams. It’s the first carbon-neutral bedmaker in the

Avoiding Toxicity Through Sustainability

There’s another reason you should go for sustainable interior design. It’s better for your health! Most sustainable materials are free from harmful chemicals, making them healthier for your family.

So, how can you avoid toxic materials in the home and protect your health? One way is to always consider the manufacturing process from beginning to end.

Pick companies like Hypnos Beds, which won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development. Its mattresses and beds are recyclable, 100% biodegradable, anti-allergenic, and natural.

This company is great because it works with Red Tractor to source completely traceable and certified British wool. It also partners with Better Cotton Initiative, which traces cotton supplies!

**The Paint & Paper Library:** These paints use the highest quality ingredients while emitting minimum VOCs.

Here are a few more tips for having a non-toxic home interior:

Pay Attention to VOCs: Search out paints that emit low-volatile organic compounds. VOCs are air pollutants that are harmful to your lungs!
Pick the Right Adhesive: If you’re using wallpapers, pick only non-toxic wallpaper adhesives.
Buy Natural Plaster Wall Finishes: Venetian polished plaster from fired limestone is a great material. This surface is antibacterial, fire-resistant, and insulating.
Go Crazy on the Plants: Plants are not merely decorative. They’re natural air filters that improve humidity and air quality within your home!

Perichetti — **Perucchetti Plastering** This hand-painted design on Venetian Polished Plaster is a project for interior designer Annabella Nasetti.

Eco-Friendly Garden Design in London

The way you design your outdoor space is equally important to your home’s interior. Here are some sustainable options to explore.

Permeable Pavement: Using permeable pavement in your garden allows you to replenish groundwater. It supports a healthy ecosystem and prevents water scarcity.
Rainwater Collection System: Install a rainwater collection system for watering your plants. Harvesting rain saves you money and lessens your dependency on municipal water.
Local Hardscape: Reuse what you have in your garden, or get your hardscape from local sources. This lessens your overall carbon footprint.
Grow Vertical: Vertical gardens are more water-saving than traditional gardens. You can save on space on a plant wall while still maintaining sustainability!

In Conclusion

The journey to sustainable interior and garden design begins with awareness.

Pay attention to where and how items get sourced. Prioritise the longevity of each item you select, and deny a throw-away culture.

With creative consciousness, you can have a positive impact on the environment!

Sustainable Sourcebook

Explore these suppliers for sustainable furniture!

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antique chandeliers

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Antiques

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Tips & Trends in Sustainable Interior and Garden Design