This is a guest post written by Claire Mac, a parenting and lifestyle blogger based in Teesside, in the North East of England. She draws experience from her own parenting journey, but the main focus on her blog is on the mother. She shows her audience how to embrace being themselves outside of motherhood and to follow their passions whether that be sustainability, interior design or self-care. It’s a space not just for parents, but for those wanting to feel unapologetically themselves.
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Sustainability is not only important for the environment, but it’s also becoming increasingly important in interior design. Incorporating sustainable design practices within your home reduces carbon footprint whilst giving your space a unique look and creating a visual impact. Let’s take a look at how we can incorporate sustainability in interior design.
Sustainable materials
Using sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork or linen within your interior design is a great way to show your commitment to sustainability while also creating a unique look for your space. These materials are often harvested from renewable sources, and their biodegradable properties mean they won’t harm the environment when they eventually reach the end of their life cycle. Beyond their eco-friendly benefits, these materials also have practical applications, like cork tiling for insulation and linen for upholstery and curtains.
In addition to being environmentally conscious, these materials can also elevate the look of your home with their natural textures and unique appearance. So, whether you’re looking to add warmth, character or a touch of luxury, using sustainable materials is a great way to achieve all of these things while also doing your part for the environment.
Choose energy efficient
By choosing energy-efficient appliances and features, not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, you’re also saving money on your energy bills. Installing LED lights can be an easy and effective switch as they’re more energy efficient and last longer than traditional lighting. Smart meters are a great tool for managing heating, allowing you to control your home’s temperature from your phone or computer. Investing in double or triple-glazed windows can also have a big impact on reducing heat loss, keeping your home warm during the winter and reducing your energy consumption. Also look at adding load bearing insulation if you’re building an extension or doing work to a room from it’s foundations upwards.
Overall, making these energy-efficient choices can benefit the environment while also saving you money in the long run.
Repurposing and up-cycling
Up-cycling household items not only helps reduce waste and save materials from ending up in landfills, but it also adds a unique touch to your home. Whether you turn old wine bottles into vases, a wooden ladder into a bookshelf, wooden crates into bedside tables, or an old door into a headboard, the creative possibilities are endless.
This type of sustainable interior design not only helps the environment, but it also allows you to express your personal style and creativity while making your house feel like a true home. With the rising trend of up-cycling, it’s easy to find inspiration and ideas online to help you bring this sustainable approach into your own home design.
Support local businesses
Supporting local businesses and purchasing handmade items not only helps promote community and fair trade practices, but also allows you to add a personal touch to your interior design. By buying locally, you are contributing to the local economy and reducing the carbon footprint associated with overseas buying. Handmade items, such as locally crafted pottery or a handwoven rug, not only provide a unique and visually stunning impact, but also tell a story about the maker and your community. Embracing the power of local crafts and artisanal goods can truly elevate the overall aesthetic of your home and create a welcoming, warm, and authentic atmosphere.
Bring the outdoors in
Incorporating living plants into your home is not only a great way to add a touch of nature to your interior design, but it also brings numerous benefits to your health and well-being. Research has shown that having plants in your home can improve air quality, increase oxygen levels, and reduce stress and anxiety. Plants also provide a natural source of humidity, which can be especially beneficial in dry climates. Incorporating a vertical garden or living wall into your design can be a creative way to maximise your plant collection without taking up too much floor space. Adding living plants to your home not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also creates a more sustainable, healthy and harmonious environment.
Incorporating sustainability into your home doesn’t have to be difficult. From working with local vendors to choosing specific materials there are many ways you can create a beautiful home whilst thinking about the environment.
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Thank you so much to Claire for this fantastic guest post, it’s given me some great ideas for how to incorporate sustainability in my home, and I hope my readers will be inspired by it too!
