Your Guide to Sustainable Home Materials
In recent years, sustainability has become more than just a buzzword in the realm of interior design. Homeowners and businesses are increasingly drawn to the more eco-friendly materials, not only to help reduce their environmental impact but to create spaces that are going to be healthier, long-lasting, and unique. By choosing the more sustainable options, we start to adopt a mindset that respects both the planet and our personal health and well-being.
Reclaimed Wood Planks
There are a myriad of advantages to opting for the more sustainable materials for your interior. Besides the most obvious of helping to conserve our natural resources, these materials can also help to reduce any indoor air pollutants, making our spaces healthier, they also bring with them a natural, timeless aesthetic, and most often than not, they’re crafted with longevity in mind, so they will stand the test of time.
In my experience, reclaimed wood is a favourite among many of you. This can be reused from old buildings, barns, or even boats, reclaimed wood offers a depth of character and history. It also has some very rich colour variations, ideal for things like flooring, accent walls, or furniture. Each piece brings with it a sense of uniqueness, and it adds warmth and personality to any space.
Bamboo and cork are also some really great choices here. Bamboo is fast-growing, resilient, and versatile, making it ideal for everything from flooring to cabinets. Cork, is also naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-resistant, it’s often used in flooring and walls for its soft, warm texture. Both of these materials bring an organic feel to a space, it feels reminiscent of nature’s beauty.
Textiles are another area where sustainable choices can make a huge impact. Going for organic materials like hemp, linen, and cotton over the more synthetic fabrics ensures that your home stays free of the pollutants that are very often found in conventional textiles. These fabrics will offer you durability, they age beautifully, and they also lend a sense of comfort to upholstery, bedding, and drapery. Choosing organically grown fibers also means that they’re fewer pesticides in the environment, so every choice now supports cleaner soil and water.
When it comes to our wall colours, low-VOC or zero-VOC paints have become increasingly popular and more accessible than ever before. Traditional paints can release volatile organic compounds -or VOC- into the air for years after its application, what does this all mean? It contributes to indoor air pollution. Low-VOC paints, however, make it possible to introduce some of the most beautiful colours into your space without having to sacrifice air quality, what does this mean? It offers you some peace of mind that’s just as appealing as the fresh colour on your walls.
For those of you who may be new to sustainable materials, look for reliable certifications to guide your choices. Certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for wood, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for fabrics, and GreenGuard for indoor products indicate higher environmental standards, this helps you shop with more confidence. Investing in quality, sustainable options often means your interiors should not only last longer but also stay true to your aesthetic without needing frequent updates, this also translates to substantial savings in the long run.
Sourcing materials locally also contributes to the sustainability ethos by both reducing transportation emissions and supporting local businesses. Do some research and look to your local artisans and suppliers for handcrafted pieces for your home. Vintage and repurposed furniture can also add a unique, sustainable touch to your home. Just be mindful of any finishes or treatments, as some of these older pieces may have very well been treated with less eco-friendly materials.
Choosing sustainable materials is a great way to make your space feel like a true reflection of your values. With these essentials, you can start making choices that not only look good, and feel good, but also make a difference.
