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Sustainable Interior Design Trends 2021

The environment has become an incredibly pressing matter in today’s geopolitical climate. People are scrambling for ways to increase sustainability and lessen their impact on the environment. Interior design is one industry where eco-friendly changes are needed most. We consume a lot of energy and waste precious materials when building and designing our homes, which is why going eco-friendly is so important during this process. Luckily, there’s no shortage of innovations that can help create a space that is both functional and environmentally conscious. Here are a few of the most impactful trends for sustainable interior design in 2021.

Extensive Recycling

Whether you’re talking about sustainable living or sustainable business, recycling will always be one of the first things worth mentioning. There’s no better way to be transparent about your commitment to eco-friendly sourcing than with recycling. As the world moves towards sustainability, recycling becomes a key part of modern interior design.

Nowadays, there are plenty of recycled and reclaimed material options that can be utilised efficiently. When it comes to flooring, people often go for cork, bamboo, and recycled timber, which are some of the most sustainable options on the market. It’s worth noting that they’re relatively affordable as well, which makes them great choices for any home design.

As plastic is often a necessity in many areas of a home, recycled plastics have become popular alternatives in recent years. Bio-glass is another material that can help reduce the carbon footprint of an interior design. It’s a biodegradable alternative that is made entirely from recycled glass, and it’s just as effective as the glass it was made from. They can be used for anything from mirrors to energy efficient windows without issue.

Green Technology

One of the best ways to leave a positive impact on the environment is to consume less energy. Since consuming no energy is hardly an option, the alternative is clear—make your own energy! This is where green technology, such as solar panels, can help quite a bit. Many modern houses and buildings install solar panels on their roofs to minimise energy expenditures, which helps lessen environmental damage and keeps the bills low.

While getting solar panels might seem difficult and expensive, governments around the world have started offering incentives to make the transition to eco-friendly technology easier. The combined savings from these incentives and lower bills have led to much higher adoption of this kind of green technology. Solar panels pay for themselves eventually—making this one of the more efficient choices for energy savings in modern homes.

Sustainable Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of interior design. The mood of a space depends on it as much as it does on the furniture and layout. Strategic, layered lighting helps create the perfect atmosphere, but it also comes with a cost—plenty of electricity. To create an attractive and efficient interior design, we have to look for sustainable lighting options.

LEDs are by far the best light bulbs for the job, so it should come as no surprise that they’ve become more popular in recent years. While they may be more expensive than their fluorescent or incandescent counterparts, they make up for it in terms of efficiency. Studies have shown that LED lights use only a quarter of the energy of most other light bulb types. More importantly—they last nearly thirty times as long. This makes them solid long-term investments for home and office lighting. They break down much less often, so fewer light bulbs need to be produced, making them much more sustainable.

It’s important to look at light fixtures as well as the bulbs that inhabit them. These fixtures are some of the biggest sources of heat loss in living spaces, especially if they are not installed correctly. Adding extra insulation around light fixtures and performing periodical inspections can make a world of difference when it comes to managing heat loss. With the right approach, it’s possible to make LED lights even more efficient, leading to a smaller impact on the environment.

Minimalism

Minimalism is a movement that promotes sustainable living. If you only purchase things you absolutely need and avoid any excess; you can create a much eco-friendlier living space. While having lots of furniture and a plethora of decorations can be quite appealing, it’s not always necessary for a gorgeous interior. A minimalist space can make use of sparse furniture and accessories without requiring anything in excess.

Natural materials and hand-made accessories go extremely well with minimalist spaces. You can choose only the most essential items to incorporate into a space and still have a wonderful and attractive interior design.

Efficient Design

Prospective homeowners often find it difficult to make a decisive decision when choosing from various designs. Visualising a home design using sketches and imagination is doable, but it’s far from an accurate representation of the end result. Because of this, various design and décor changes are inevitable once the client moves into their new space. This can lead to overhauls that are costly and require new materials, making them less-than-ideal when it comes to efficiency.

Innovations in CGI technology now allow prospective homeowners to get the perfect overview of an interior design. With the help of a professional CGI artist, it’s possible to create a render according to the design and allow the client to make an informed decision for their home. This minimises the need for changes and overhauls and allows them to plan sustainable solutions ahead without worry.

DIY and Repurposed Décor

Much like recycling, repurposing items and appliances can have a major impact on the sustainability of a home. Think about all the times you threw away tin cans or pallets after a renovation project. These items can make for great décor solutions, especially if you have a knack for DIY skills.

For example, pallets can be turned into outdoor or indoor furniture with the help of a few covers and pillows. Cans and barrels can become pots or storage for various items or trinkets once they’re cleaned. Wooden crates are easy to transform into storage shelves whenever you need extra space. There’s no set of rules for repurposing décor and materials, so you are only limited by your DIY skills and imagination.

Conclusion

Designing a sustainable space in 2021 is easier than ever before. There have been countless innovations in eco-friendly design and material recycling that can allow you to create the perfect environmentally-conscious space. We’ve covered a few of the most notable sustainable trends in modern interior design, but there are plenty more where that came from. It’s important to stay informed when it comes to these innovations, as people are constantly looking for ways to conserve the environment—especially in interior design.

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