4 ways to promote sustainable

design in your home

Are we emerging from an era of fast fashion and disposable furniture? As the mounds of Forever 21 clothing and damaged Wayfair furniture pieces pile up, we’ve all heard that we need to reduce our waste and invest in pieces that last- whether it’s a capsule wardrobe or a quality sofa.

Fifteen years ago- while studying Interior Design in the Bay Area- sustainability was always a big word. Now I hear it a few times a year instead of daily. What happened? While people have the best intentions, it is a complicated concept and requires quite a bit of effort on the part of the consumer. Yes, there are designations such as “Green Guard Certified” and “sustainable materials” or even qualifications such as “made in America” denoting fewer resources geared towards import freight. Still, these can be vague, misleading, or misunderstood. So, what is sustainable interior design, and how can you make sustainable decisions for your home?

Sustainable Interior Design

Sustainable interior design uses environmentally conscious materials that reduce the negative impact on the environment while increasing the health and comfort of the occupants. This includes the items you purchase (furniture, building materials, tile, lighting) and the ecological impact in manufacturing, distribution, and post-installation.

Materials- Are organic, raw materials that are readily available, easily extractable, and have a high recyclability used?
Production- what are the conditions and environmental impact of production? Conditions of workers are also a top concern.
Shipping & Packaging- what is the carbon impact on freighting the item to your home?
Usage- once the item enters your home, does it add to or reduce energy usage? Is it free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)? Does it promote good air quality, toxin-free environments, water, and energy efficiency?
Lifespan- how long will this be used, then will it be recycled or end up in a landfill? How long will it take to decompose?

Terms like “shop local” and “live sustainably” sound great, but the reality is that it takes a lot more effort, and the initial costs are higher. A local shop isn’t going to get as good of a price on their products as the big box store. They have a lot more overhead than a chain store that can sign a 10-year building lease or bulk print their shopping bags. So, while it sounds good in theory, many of us have let it fall by wayside. But what if you only had to buy a coat or sofa once, knowing that it lasts for decades? Would you be willing to put in the extra time and money? When you work with an Interior Designer, the goal is to educate you on the differences that make furniture pieces last and ensure you’re making a decision that will withstand time.

I’ve always loved the idea of local and sustainable, but throughout my career have had to literally weigh the costs. Local and sustainable costs more and requires more effort. We are on the heels of a disposable generation- where single-use plastics were often not even recycled, and we purchased inexpensive furniture that needed to be replaced every 5-10 years. I outfitted my first apartments from Ikea, used disposable diapers for my son, and recycled hundreds of amazon boxes a year during the pandemic when I resorted to ordering everything online and having it delivered.

what can we do to promote

sustainable design?

1.) Educate Yourself

The first step to changing any habit and recognizing the issue and that there is another way. If you invest in a quality piece of furniture, it should last a lifetime. Whether it be a case good piece (made from hard materials such as wood, metal, or glass) that is crafted by an artisan from hardwood instead of MDF or an upholstered chair with a kiln-dried hardwood frame that is meant to withstand decades of use.

2.) Make Intentional Purchases

One of my primary roles in working with clients is to make thoughtful purchasing decisions. Even if you are not updating an entire room at once, plan for the future so you’re not buying something now that will need to be replaced down the road. Invest in items that are of higher quality, like a custom piece of furniture that is designed and crafted to your specifications and intended to last for decades. In 10-to-20 years, we can do a refresh, where we reupholster rather than replace.

3.) Ask Questions

Sustainability is trendy, and manufacturers are taking advantage. Buzzwords like “green certified” are popping up on everything from makeup to building materials, but what does this actually mean? Take the time to do your research and speak with a knowledgeable professional to determine if it’s a marketing ploy, or actually lives up to the hype.

4.) Purchase from companies that share your values

Educating yourself on the entire process of an item before it reaches your home is a daunting task. Purchasing from companies that value transparency, the wellness of their workers, and their ecological impact ensures that you are supporting a business that makes these ethical considerations and values them above profit.

A few of our favorite sustainable manufacturers:

Fireclay Tile
Patagonia
Local workrooms

“We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.”

-“Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” UN 2015

Want to speak more about how to incorporate sustainable design in your home? Book a consultation call.