Sustainable Interior Design: Why Jumping On The Bandwagon Is Crucial
Have you noticed how, on the past decade, people have become more aware of environmental preservation? Suddenly, people seem to want to live a green lifestyle and to have sustainable interior design in their homes and offices. There are so many things that you can do to contribute to the reduction of carbon footprint to make earth a much cleaner place to live in.
Living a green lifestyle is a lot more than installing solar panels or reducing your energy bills. You can also step up from mere water recycling and do more things that would make it possible to call your home sustainable.
And Then There Was LED Light
LED lighting is a good way to begin a home with a sustainable interior design. Being one of the most important elements of a home’s interior, your choice of light speaks a lot about how much you support a greener environment.
LED lighting is a great replacement for the standard compact fluorescent or incandescent light. While LED does cost more at first, what makes them advantageous is when you look at it on a long-term perspective. LED tends to last longer than standard bulbs, thus, it eventually pays for itself by means of energy savings. LED light also produces a much cleaner and natural light compared to fluorescent.
Use VOC-Free Paints
Regular paint does not just smell awful, it can also contribute to some health issues in the long run. Opting for low-VOC or even the zero-VOC paints is a crucial step towards turning your home into a greener place. With very little to no odor, low-VOC paints do not contain gas or vapor that are hazardous to your health. This means that you can say goodbye to asthma, watery eyes, headaches, other respiratory problems, even cancer.
Common paint contains ethylene glycol, benzene, formaldehyde and other toxic and flammable chemicals. Don’t think that low-VOC paints are a lot more expensive than common paint. There are now some brands that even have the same price as that of regular paint. There also isn’t any problem with regard to coverage as it is also comparable to regular paints.
Use Sustainable or Reclaimed Wood and Alternative Materials
There is now a lot of non-traditional materials in the market such as fiberglass, pumice cloth and such. These significantly reduce your reliance on Mother Earth’s resources. Such materials are also energy efficient since they are created with just a fraction of the usual manufacturing time.
If you are just about to create your dream home, then why not consider using sustainable wood? Look for lumber that has been harvested from areas that have been maintained specifically for growing timber. Refrain from buying lumber that comes from old growth forests.
For your paneling and floors, consider using the inexpensive, quick-growing, and pretty bamboo. Nothing can be greener than this wood. Bamboo is mainly grass, not wood, meaning, it takes less time to grow compared to most hardwoods or softwoods.
Bamboo isn’t just affordable, it is also easy to maintain, water-resistant and durable. There are some types of bamboo that are very hard and strong. Uncarbonized bamboo which was properly harvested then manufactured may even become as durable as red oak.
Everyone is now raving about how we should participate in saving Mother Earth. You’ve heard of recycling, reusing and reducing waste; so now it’s your time to think of ways to apply these principles in your own home.
Sustainable interior design doesn’t have to be a challenging project. Your home, after all, should be considered a long-term investment so make small yet significant changes over time. Choose materials that are environment-friendly, don’t have it otherwise.
