Key Principles of Sustainable Interior Design
Adaptive Reuse
- Every product we use is manufactured using Earth’s limited resources. Before environmental consciousness took root, it was a common practice to discard objects if they went out of style, even if they were fully functional. They were replaced with whatever was considered chic and in style. Frequent replacement of common items has a huge environmental price.
Nowadays, interior designers are designing homes keeping in mind the 3Rs of sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Interior designers upcycle and repurpose old items that are still functional and give them a new and chic vibe. Upcycling and repurposing serve the environment in two ways: they reduce the depletion of natural resources for creating new products and lessen the load on landfills for disposing of waste.
- Another way to incorporate adaptive reuse is to extract synthetic materials from discarded items. These materials can be used for manufacturing new products rather than extracting materials from Earth’s infinite resources. This is called the cradle-to-cradle approach, wherein waste is used as a source of raw materials for the manufacture of new products.
Incorporating adaptive reuse, recycling, upcycling, and repurposing into interior design is the key to sustainability.
Focus on Health and Wellness
- Interior design isn’t about aesthetics only; rather, it is about creating comfortable, functional spaces with a special focus on health and wellness. Interior designers are now focused on creating spaces that are in sync with humans’ biological, physiological, and psychological needs while also meeting environmental sustainability goals.
All the items present in our home emit fumes, radiation, or particulates. Sustainable interior design dictates the use of eco-friendly materials for product manufacture. Research shows that indoor air pollution is one of the five biggest threats to public health. A lot of industrial-grade chemicals are used for beautifying or strengthening common household products. E.g., furniture treated with harmful polishes emits high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
- Sustainable interior design recommends choosing materials with low VOC emissions and other pollutants. Sufficient ventilation and access to natural light (which acts as a germicide) also reduce indoor pollution. Likewise, indoor plants act as natural air filters. Placing them around the home not only beautifies the space but also leads to a healthier indoor environment.
Use of Long-Lasting and Flexible Materials
- Every home has certain high-traffic areas that are more prone to wear and tear. Likewise, washroom accessories are used frequently, and consistent exposure to water and soap can age them fast. For such areas, designers should use durable and long-lasting materials that would not require replacement every few years. Using durable materials reduces waste generation and minimizes resource consumption.
To achieve sustainability goals, designers are also focused on creating flexible spaces in anticipation of clients’ future needs. Flexible spaces can be created by using modifiable walls, adjustable and mobile furniture, and modular flooring. Over the years, homeowners have wanted to modify their indoor spaces to accommodate changing needs. For example, children demand separate rooms when they grow up.
- Flexible designs eliminate the need for demolishing the entire structure to create new space. Demolishing and creating new structures has an ecological cost. With flexible designs, you can minimize waste generation and reduce resource consumption.
To keep up with the latest interior design trends, consult House and Harmony. We offer interior design services in San Diego and Carlsbad, California. We have fifteen years of industry experience and hundreds of happy clients. It proves our excellent interior home design services. We offer turnkey solutions and take care of all components of an interior home design project. For more information, call us at (858) 432-6800 or visit our website. See all the interior design services we offer in San Diego and surrounding areas.
