SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

You have probably heard of Sustainable Design, but do you know what it really means and how to achieve it within your space?

There are many different aspects to consider when designing a sustainable interior, but once you nail these, you will have achieved an interior that is healthier all round for yourself, your family and the environment!

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

So you want to adopt a Sustainable Design approach to your home but aren’t sure how to do this? Sustainable Design is essentially the inclusion of natural or untreated materials (think bamboo, reclaimed bricks and woods, organic fabrics such as cotton, linen, wool etc), along with the selection of furniture and finishes that have been manufactured by using sustainable practices. This includes taking into account the impact the manufacturing process has had on the environment and the lifespan of the product(s).

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

This design approach inspires wellness-based interiors by improving indoor air quality and ensuring less omissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the interior space which will lead to a holistically healthier space, which will aid in improving the mental and physical health of the occupant.

Harmful VOCs such as CO2, and carcinogen formaldehyde are commonly found in finishes, furniture and cabinetry and with prolonged exposure to these harmful chemical, many negative health issues can result, such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems along with degrading cognitive performance (poor memory, concentration). That is why it is so important to cleanse the air from these toxic chemicals and avoid the emission of their fumes in your home wherever possible.

By creating a sustainable interior, you are not only improving your own health, but also contributing to a positive, long term environmental impact, by reducing waste, essentially lowering your own carbon footprint.

CLEANSE THE AIR

Clean air is arguably one of the most important aspects of good health. Harmful toxins are frequently found in the home, present due to certain furniture and the use of household appliances such as gas ovens, heating, poor ventilation (exterior air entering and unable to escape), household chemicals. Breathing in these fumes will cause headaches, fatigue and eye irritation to name a few so it’s important to rid the home of these toxins as efficiently as possible.

Plants are commonly praised for their ability to cleanse the air. Whilst this is true, certain plants are more effective at removing toxins than others. Plants such as Peace Lilies, Devils Ivy and Rubber Plants do a great job of purifying the air and also enhance a wellbeing inspired interior by calming the mind due to the presence of nature. Materials such as cork can also help with toxin abortion, actively drawing the VOCs into fibers to wilt away instead of allowing them to freely flow in the air.

Some useful tips to improve your indoor air quality include:

Keep the air moving. Ventilate the home as much as possible. Open doors and windows regularly and let mother nature help blow out those harmful toxins. Especially when cooking or cleaning
Avoid including products in your home that are known to have a high VOC count – such as furniture made by using particle board. The manufacturing of these types of products can be made using formaldehyde – which is highly toxic.
Avoid using harsh chemicals in the home. Although chemicals such as bleach and ammonia are included in many products and commonly used cleaning – the strong fumes they omit will linger in the air for a long time and can take over an hour or up to days to fully expel! Try replacing with organic products or solutions such as a vinegar/lemon, bicarbonate soda mix instead.
If painting walls or furniture – use water based paints that are healthier for both the indoor air quality and the environment.
Where possible, materials that are organic or reclaimed. There will be no toxic chemicals present due to their nature of their fibers and how they’ve been finished, making them a healthy addition to add to your home.

FINISHES

The finishes used in many households are responsible for a significant amount of poor indoor air quality.

When purchasing new furniture, installing permanent fixtures or painting a surface, first think about the fumes they could omit. Traditional glues used when installing carpets contain toxic chemicals which contaminate the air, as will oil based paints that contain Benzene and Xylene in their composition. These harmful VOCS can cause potential health issues so avoid as much as possible.

Along with glues and paints, composite materials used in particle boards to make up furniture contain formaldehyde which is an extremely toxic chemical. It can take up to 5 years (on average) for the fumes that are imbedded within the material to fully dissipate. If you can’t avoid the use of particle boards in your home, make sure the material is sealed completely to avoid any leakage of the gases into your home.

USE OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

When choosing soft furnishes such as bedding, throw cushions and rugs, curtains and carpets go for sustainable materials. Organic fibers such as natural cottons, linens, cashmere and wools. These materials are aesthetically pleasing and luckily widely available. They have been found to exhibit health benefits further surpassing their sustainable harvesting, such as hypoallergenic properties which allow for fewer asthmatic episodes and improved eyesight. Natural cottons can also relieve skin issues such as psoriasis and general rashes.

Consider sourcing furniture made with harder harder sustainable materials such as fast growing bamboo, rattan, untreated woods with FSC certification (Forest Stewardship Council), natural stone, marble and clay. These also offer great alternatives to floor and wall treatments.

But don’t forget that not all materials need to be organic to be sustainable. Reclaimed materials such as brick, wood and reused fabrics, such as leather are also considered sustainable. If any chemicals were used in their manufacturing, they will be long gone. Their reuse is also great for the environment! Repurposing materials ensure they will not unnecessary end up in landfill.

THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS

How was it made? What materials did they use? Were any of the components recycled etc? These are all questions that are asked when determining whether a product is sustainable.

Not only this, but also what will happen to the product at the end of it’s life cycle? Can it be repurposed, recycled, or broken down and made into a completely new item? Failing these criteria, can the materials being returned to our natural eco system? Ensuring these important factors are adhered to ensures that the environment is not negatively affected and land fills aren’t overwhelmed.

A lot of people don’t realise what happens to items when they hit the landfill. Some items don’t just biodegrade over time, they can release toxic fumes as (and if) they decompose. Because of this, landfills are responsible for a third of the worlds greenhouse gases production making them a huge problem for the environment and directly impacting global warming.

A great approach sustainably conscious designers are adopting is called Cradle to Cradle (C2C) vs Cradle to Grave (C2G). C2C means to replicate natural systems, leading to products that can be recycled and upcycled and failing that, are biodegradable resulting in waste prevention.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Try installing some sustainable energy solutions to your property. Solar panels and residential wind turbines energy are great alternative energy solutions to staying on the grid - and save you money in the long run.

So with all this information in mind, it’s clear that the best result for yourself and environment is to choose a sustainable lifestyle! Most importantly in your home interior!