4 Eco-friendly interior design tips that are trending

When it comes to the ebbs and flows of modern home design, one aspect that seems to take centre stage is going green and eco-friendly living. Property owners and real estate practitioners alike understand that sustainable practices in interior design help to reduce your ecological footprint while still maintaining a trendy look and feel.

In essence, sustainable design can be defined as the use of aesthetic principles and methods that provide benefits on a global scale. Eco-friendly design in property can only be achieved if the homeowner understands and adapts a lifestyle philosophy of sustainability. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of these principles and how to best apply them to real estate design.

Considering energy-efficient design

Eco-friendly real estate design and construction often begins at the planning stage. If you're purchasing a new development, this gives you the freedom to envision architecture and define layouts that minimise energy consumption. Finding ways to reduce the need for additional elements such as heating, lighting, and appliances and looking for ways to improve efficiency is a preferred method.

Renewables - such as non-carbon-based energy sources - are the direction you should go. This includes the addition of Solar panels alongside the utilisation of innovations in structural design. Even a balance of finishing touches such as curtains, carpets, and a bright and airy colour scheme can go a long way in reducing the need for more lighting and heating.

Sourcing local and sustainable products

Design in eco-friendly real estate and property takes considered and mindful planning. Some of the decisions may boil down to where and from whom you source your building materials from. Always try to keep an eye out for locally produced and Fair Trade corporations. Fair Trade companies support transparency, equity, and respect for sustainable development through an environmental approach.

The knock-off effect of buying local means there is a reduction in the need and requirement for long-distance transportation. Beyond this, locally sourced materials and products are often unique to the region they come from, adding both personality and character to your interior design project.

Build with low impact materials

We've spoken at length about using sustainable materials as much as possible. Ideally, you want to use products that have a low environmental impact and that have renewable properties. Materials such as bamboo, recycled metal, plastic and wood, bio-glass, cork, and jute fibres offer the most eco-friendly benefits.

As for your textiles, select organic or recycled cotton, hemp, wool, or linen. There are also new innovative materials specifically designed to be biodegradable such as lyocell made from synthetic silk and wood pulp. When considering plastics, recycled polyester is a greener alternative to nylon.

Biophilic elements and lighting

Biophilia is the love of natural elements in interior design. This may come in the form of introducing a healthy addition of plants and shrubs to making use of natural lighting to brighten up spaces as opposed to installing an array of lights.

Fortunately, greener lighting requirements may be one of the more cost-effective routes to sustainable living. Consider installing energy-efficient fixtures with LEDs and composite fluorescents where needed. Opt for the use of as much natural lighting as possible. To do this, incorporate smart glass, skylights, and larger windows into your design.

The biophilic method also incorporates the overall structure of the home's design. From natural ventilation defined by open spaces to the appeal of natural elements, the design philosophy starts with the architect's initial planning.

The Green Building Council

The Green Building Council of South Africa is one of the nation's most rigid regulatory bodies and is affiliated with South Africa's most sustainable and environmentally conscious companies. They work to provide credible and objective measurements for sustainable building projects in South Africa. Their main contribution is to provide certification through a process governed by both external and internal rating tools.

Certification by The Green Building Council is a stamp of approval that ensures that the materials you're purchasing are ethically sourced. Always look out for their logo on the packaging of all your building products and materials.

For Real Estate Agents you can trust, contact us below for more information.

If you are looking to live in Silver Lakes Estate, Willow Acres Estate, Six Fountains Estate, or Equestria Estate then Iknonic is your most experienced property professional to assist you in the selling and buying process.
 

Office Number: 083 452 5599

Cell Number: 083 452 5599

Email: martin@ikonic.co.za

Ikonic Real Estate holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority.

Resources:

https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/sustainable-interior-design/

https://decoroutdoor.com/blog/eco-friendly-interior-design-guide/