It’s no secret that the Earth is facing a struggle at the hands of its residents. Over the years, we have seen technological advancements like no other. New products being designed and made, new materials being sourced and utilised, the ever-evolving change is limitless. However, something that needs to be considered when designing anything, whether it be in fashion, product design or interiors, is the environmental impact and the effects it will have on the planet, long term or short term. Sustainability within design is a topic that for many years, was pushed to the back of the priority list due to creativity wanting and needing to be showcased in new and inventive ways, but what if we could still unleash this creativity and optimism for advanced products in a more eco-friendly way? How can designers and consumers rethink their lifestyle choices to take the declining state of the Earth into account? Something to consider when making or buying is: where will this end up? This does not just mean where will the final physical product end up, this means where will everything used along the way go as well? Whether you are the one making or buying, when using materials in any way shape or form, it’s critical to take into account how the materials involved in the process, could potentially affect the environment. Acknowledging the possibility of harmful environmental factors of what you are endorsing or using is by no means an easy thing to do in day-to-day life. Often times we don’t think twice about what we are buying and if we do, we think about it on a very surface level depth. This could mean going to a furniture shop and buying something made from wood with the mindset of “wood doesn’t harm the environment, so this is okay to purchase”. Whilst that is a step in the right direction, it’s key to then think about factors such as “where will the plastic packaging end up?” or “could I find something similar made from reclaimed wood?”. Considering all possibilities such as these may seem harsh and time consuming but it’s absolutely necessary in changing the world for the better. This new mindset doesn’t have to be hand-in-hand with guilt and regret whilst looking around your home seeing all the things made from harmful materials, it can be a learning opportunity. Making an active effort to change the way you design, create and buy should be an insightful journey as society becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability and everything of the sort.
Sustainable interior design is a dire necessity for the present day and future. Living more eco-consciously has gained prominent significance within today’s culture, but now it’s time to take a deeper look into how we can not only have more sustainable living habits, but a more sustainable environment away from the outside. Being more aware and mindful of this can better the planet in small, but impactful ways by helping to reduce waste and consumerism of materials that harm the Earth. An example of this would be shopping recycled and reclaimed. Buying interior features that have been recycled, made from recycled materials or reclaimed is one of the best ways to incorporate eco-conscious living into your home. Another way is being more aware of the materials you choose. Organic materials such as wood and natural stone may seem like the obvious choice however natural resources and how they are extracted are equally as important to consider. Alternative organic materials such as bamboo are an even better choice as bamboo is extracted in a fast and environmentally responsible way. Glass is another favourable material to use due to the recyclable properties it has.
Often times, when thinking of sustainable design, especially within interiors, a depiction of neutral, beige and sometimes lifeless colour palettes come to mind, and this is down to sustainable products being heavily marketed with materials like bamboo. Whilst this is the case for many brands that centre on eco-friendly, biodegradable designs, there is a vast number of other ways to involve vibrant colours, textures, patterns and fresh designs into an eco-friendly space. The best way to do this is to consider buying interior components made from recycled materials especially recycled plastic. Plastic is one of the most harmful materials to the environment but luckily, many brands are finding new ways to recycle and repurpose plastic, whether that be making cushions with old plastic bottles similarly to the products available at Weaver Green or making place mats from plastic debris found at beaches as shown by eco-living brand Liga, repurposed and recycled plastic is readily available for interior design and it doesn’t have to always have the same look. Consider all of these factors and take more time to acknowledge where materials will end up and you’re on your way to impacting the Earth, for the better.
Photos 1 and 2: styling, photography and editing: KEW Interiors.