Sustainable Interior Design
What Does Sustainable Interior Design Really Mean?
The answers might shift depending on who you ask, but here are my 3 biggest considerations when trying to design more sustainably.
When we hear “sustainable interior design”, we might instantly picture sleek, Silicon Valley-esque commercial buildings, a minimalist, mod style, and a focus on heavily promoted “green” products like cork or bamboo flooring.
But the reality is, designing interior spaces sustainably is much bigger than that. And it certainly doesn’t need to pigeonhole us into a particular style or aesthetic. Us traditional-interiors-leaning gals can design sustainable spaces, too!
In fact, I think there are 3 core components of a sustainable design approach that anyone can apply, no matter their style.
To truly design sustainably, we want to consider:
Using and leveraging space efficiently
Choosing materials with a low environmental impact
Reducing pollution, waste, and energy consumption with our choices
These are really simple concepts that apply to any project, and I’ll break all three down further in a minute, but first…
Why sustainability matters in the interior design world:
Now, I don’t consider myself a “crunchy granola” type, even though I’m born and raised in SoCal. I mean, sure, I take my reusable water bottle everywhere (I’m a Stanley gal) and LOVE my hybrid plug-in car (driving alone in the carpool lane AND using less gas? Yes Please!). But I am constantly aware that I can improve my carbon footprint in my day to day life.
And, even more importantly:
There are so many meaningful choices I can make as an interior designer when it comes to sustainability. Because the truth is, while the home and design industry creates beautiful spaces, it also has some ugly realities to contend with.
As of 2008, the construction industry is responsible for nearly 25% of California’s waste stream and landfill content. Yikes.
On top of that, today’s cheaply-produced furnishings create a constant factory-to-landfill pipeline — with over 9 million TONS of furniture tossed in US landfills each year, according to the EPA. Double yikes.
The good news?
We actually have a lot of power over these numbers.
If my colleagues and I approach our designs with care and intention, we can play a key part in lowering these statistics.
But it does take some deliberate effort — and some creative problem solving on our end. Which brings me back to the three considerations mentioned above.
1. Designing sustainably means using and leveraging space efficiently.
Real Talk: Every space doesn’t need to be ripped down to the studs or started from a “clean slate”. Many times, homes have great bones, beautiful architectural details, or time-worn finishes that can be made new with some love, creativity, and skilled craftsmanship.
And the best part? Those 70 year old hardwood floors, vintage millwork, or “too-small-by-today’s-open-concept-standards” cozy nooks? They’re what give spaces some personality and soul.
Now, sometimes we do need to add on square footage or start from scratch to make a space function properly. But often, a good designer can rework an existing layout, borrow space from an underutilized closet, or come up with a clever solution that makes spaces more efficient and more functional for today’s lifestyle. Not only is this typically a more sustainable option — cutting down on unnecessary waste, energy consumption, and new materials — but it’s also typically a more budget-friendly one, too. Win win.
2. To design sustainably, we need to consider how our materials choices affect the world around us.
When the idea of sustainability first gained mainstream popularity, we were constantly bombarded by marketing campaigns promoting everything as a “green” option. It was chaotic and confusing, and in many cases, pretty unethical, to be honest.
But now that the dust has settled a bit, the design industry is having more nuanced, rational conversations about what true sustainability looks like in interiors, and it can often be summed up with this question: Which materials and products cause the least harm?
This can mean a myriad of things — are we talking big-picture Environmental Impact, like emissions from shipping halfway around the globe and deforestation, or smaller-scale environmental impact like your home’s air quality from VOCs? In a perfect world, the technical answer is: all of the above.
But unless you’re a chemist, biologist, and manufacturing expert with a front-row seat to each product’s assembly lines, making “The Right Choice” feels like an impossible task.
Here’s the good news, friends: sustainability isn’t a pass/fail assignment.
Instead, we ask ourselves “What is the better choice here?”
As we weigh our furniture options, a few good traits to look for include:
Furnishings made from FSC certified wood (to ensure they’re not contributing to mass deforestation)
Sturdy pieces built with solid materials. Less particle board and adhesives = better quality and fewer toxic chemicals in your home’s air
Products that are made in the USA, or, if possible, in your state or local community. Not only does this cut down on shipping emissions, but there’s a better chance that the people who make your furniture are being paid a fair, living wage.
Again, this isn’t pass/fail. We’re never going to get it 100% right. But by making conscious choices, we can have a powerful impact. And sometimes, the most powerful impact is actually having less impact, which brings me to my third bullet point…
3. Sustainable interior design means reducing pollution, waste, and energy consumption with our choices.
This is perhaps the most important consideration — and it’s also a bit of a mashup of the first two. By being efficient with our spaces and considerate with our materials choices, we’re likely reducing our pollution, waste, and energy consumption.
Many times, I’ve had clients tell me some version of, “I don’t really want to spend a lot on a sofa right now. I’ll just get something cheap from [insert Big Box Store name here] and replace it in a couple of years.” This, my friends, makes us part of the problem.
Not only are “cheap” pieces like this a waste of money — and often, they’re still expensive! — but this attitude is so wasteful. It really makes me cringe.
We owe it to ourselves, and the world at large, to invest in better quality pieces that will last.
But this doesn’t always mean we need a giant budget. Reducing our impact and our spending is totally possible — and it can be really fun!
Hands-down, my favorite way to achieve this is by repurposing existing pieces — architectural elements, materials, and especially furniture.
Incorporating vintage furnishings is the ultimate win-win in interior design. Not only is it an incredibly sustainable option, but I’m able to give my clients beautiful, one-of-a-kind, well-crafted pieces that bring an incredible sense of soul to their spaces.
These don’t have to be overly-fancy or fussy. Oftentimes, the best vintage pieces are from consignment stores or flea markets — something unusual that now provides a quirky bit of personality and some added storage.
This vintage Chinese secretary desk provides the perfect bit of storage for extra wine glasses and doubles as a bar surface when entertaining. Plus, look at those legs!
Another great piece? This vintage Chinese altar anchors a colorful dining room and provides ample storage as a sideboard.
Even as a designer with access to trade-only sources and custom furnishings galore — I truly delight in vintage pieces with a history and a soul. My husband and I did not come from money and we certainly didn’t have family heirloom pieces passed down to us. But, we have several pieces of furniture that we got from our parents when we were first starting out and those pieces have been refinished, repainted, and reimagined time and time again. They’re some of our favorites to this day.
Designing sustainably doesn’t have to be a compromise on style, and it doesn’t require some astronomical budget.
In fact, it’s often the best choice for both your aesthetic and your wallet.
We don’t need to be experts to have a big impact. But we do need to be thoughtful about where and how we invest our dollars. The good news is that when we invest wisely and well, we get to reap the benefits every day.
Want help reimagining your spaces or finding the perfect vintage pieces? Reach out! I’d love to see how we can create a soul-filled space just for you. Whether you’re looking for a one-off design consultation to get some design questions answered, or a more full-service design approach, I’m in your corner.
