Today, we live in a world that’s increasingly aware of its environmental footprint. And one super important aspect of this is a sustainable home. We mean, a home that has the least possible negative impact on our environment.
At CRAFT By Anika, we’re dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interior design—to create spaces that embrace eco-friendly practices. After all, as interior designers, it’s our responsibility to fight climate change. And, with our insider tips, we’ll walk you through the journey of making eco-friendly choices in this blog post. Keep reading to learn all about the top sustainable design choices for a greener home. 💚
Sustainable Materials
The foundation of any home? The materials. Choosing sustainable materials reduces your carbon footprint. FYI—interior products carry more embodied carbon than you’d think! In fact, the built environment contributes to almost 40% of carbon emissions worldwide. And so, being mindful about our material choices makes a world of difference.
Essentially, you want to look for materials that are renewable, recycled, sourced locally, and have low embodied energy. Some of our favorite options in interior design are:
- Reclaimed wood. This uses fewer chemicals than new wood—which helps reduce air pollution and the potential for leaching into local waterways. It’s perfect for flooring (Cochran’s Lumber does reclaimed flooring so well!), furniture, and especially accent walls.
- Bamboo. We love bamboo because it’s rapidly renewable (so we technically won’t run out of it). You can use it for flooring and even textiles.
- Low-VOC paints. The Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in traditional paints can release harmful chemicals into your home. Low-VOC paints are healthier for both you and the environment! We especially want to give credit to Sherwin Williams; we love their high-quality paints and zero-VOC options.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Reducing our energy consumption can make our homes greener. This is beneficial for the environment—and lowers our energy bills, too. A quick tip is to look for the Energy Star label. Products have to meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines to earn this label, so you’ll be making a trusted choice. Plus, they can help you save up to 30% on your energy bills.
Strategies such as proper insulation, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and using renewable energy sources like solar panels can help you go big on energy efficiency. Here are some of our top picks in appliances when it comes to energy-efficient design:
- Bosch 24 Inch Fully Integrated Built-In Panel Ready Smart Dishwasher. This Energy Star-certified dishwasher has a stainless steel tub for longevity. Plus, it has an extra utility rack for your odd-sized dishes.
- Cafe Slide-In Electric Induction Convection Range. Induction ranges—like this —are energy-efficient as 90% of the generated heat goes into cooking your food. Plus, they’re easy to maintain and relatively easy to clean.
- Thermador 36 Inch Freestanding French Door Smart Refrigerator. This French door refrigerator is more energy-efficient than its side-by-side counterparts because less cold air escapes when the doors are opened.
Ways to Reduce Waste in Interior Design
Designing your home can often lead to lots of waste. And that’s definitely a no when making a shift towards sustainability. Here are some of our favorite ways to reduce waste in interior design—with no compromise on style!
Upcycling Furniture
That old chest of drawers you’ve been wanting to replace… Do you know where it will end up once it leaves your home? The landfills! Prevent that piece from filling up dumpsites—and bypass the energy and materials in producing a new piece—by breathing life into your old cabinet. And if you’re looking for ideas, consider repurposing it as a chic bathroom vanity. You can also reupholster old chairs with new, eco-friendly fabrics. And the list goes on!
Minimalism
It’s true that less is more when it comes to sustainability. But it’s also becoming a popular trend, even in luxury interior design. Talk about killing two birds with one stone 😉 A minimalist approach reduces clutter and waste in your home. (In case you’re on the lookout, we’ve got some solutions for clutter management). It also focuses on high-quality and timeless pieces that are built to last.
Sourcing Locally
Whenever possible, we source materials (and products) locally. By doing so, we aim to reduce the emissions from transportation. As a bonus, it also helps us support local businesses. You can do the same when buying new products for your home!
Indoor Environmental Quality
A sustainable home also means creating a space that is good for your health. On the forefront, this includes strategies to improve indoor air quality. We achieve this purpose in multiple ways. For one, by making sure the homes we design have proper ventilation.
Second, with natural lighting (you know, large windows, minimal window treatments, and mirrors to reflect light). This keeps the space connected to nature while brightening it up. Biophilic elements, especially houseplants, purify indoor air quality. Simultaneously, acoustic comfort and thermal comfort are an important part of improving the environment indoors.
Final Words
Sustainable design choices sure make our homes greener. But you’d be (pleasantly) surprised to know… eco-friendly interiors are also becoming the hottest trend in home design. And—if you can’t tell already—we’re here for every bit of it!
If you’re looking to add sustainable design choices to your next project, chat with us today 💚
