10 Eco-Friendly Design Ideas For Your Living Room

Designing a beautiful living room is a fantastic interior design project. These rooms have the potential to be so many things, whether it’s spaces of relaxation, places where we entertain, or work from home hubs.

1 . Eco-Friendly furnishings 

When you’re choosing your furnishings, ensure that you choose sustainable materials. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable types of wood that you’ll find. There are plenty of advantages of choosing bamboo furniture, including:

• Kind to the earth: bamboo doesn’t require fertilizers or pesticides throughout the growth process.
• Durable option: Bamboo furniture is both flexible and durable, you can rely on bamboo furniture to last for years.
• Comfortable: Bamboo wood makes an incredibly comfortable furniture option. It’s both odour resistant and breathable. Other options for sustainable wood include oak, mahogany, teak, and maple.

2. Eco-friendly fabrics

When you’re choosing your decor fabrics there are plenty of green options. Here are a few of the best materials to look out for:

Hemp

Hemp is one of the most sustainable types of fabric on the planet, it’s recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable. Unlike some other crops, hemp doesn’t damage the earth as it grows. It’s thermodynamic, durable, and antibacterial.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is cotton that’s been grown without any toxic chemicals. All stages of the growth process are chemical-free from the land preparation to the seeds used and the pest control. Organic cotton is an eco-friendly alternative to regular cotton, producing a fabric that is both soft and durable.

Soy Cashmere

This earth-kind fabric is made from the waste from soybeans, you’ll find that the fabric is soft and highly elastic. One of the great things about soy cashmere is that it won’t shrink or wrinkle when you wash it.

3. Plant-based paints

Plant-based paints are an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paints. They are VOC-free and made from ingredients like mineral pigments, linseed oil, chalk, and milk proteins. One of the leading brands of eco-paint is ‘The Real Milk Paint’, these paints are made from an edible plant-based filler, calcium lime, casein, and natural pigments.

Before you start painting it’s a good idea to plan out your colour schemes. Think about the style you’re looking to create, and with objects that work with these colors.

4. Eco-friendly

Wallpaper is back on the interior design scene, and this time we’re keeping things natural. Look for brands that use wallpaper that’s VOC-free, and derived from sustainable sources.

You can find wallpaper made from materials such as bamboo, cork, or grass. If you’re interested in vegan wallpaper, look for a company that does not use animal derivatives throughout the printing processes. A few options for vegan and eco-friendly wallpaper include Little Greene and Farrow & Ball.

5. Recycled materials art

Artwork is one of the best ways to inject a touch of personality into your home. We use art to express ourselves and create spaces that we can be proud of. If you’re looking to keep things eco-friendly why not purchase art that’s made from recycled materials? Some so many sustainable artists produce recycled art, and many of these works are affordably priced.

6. Bring in the plants

This year it’s all about bringing the outdoors inside, if you haven’t got into house-plants yet, there’s still time to jump on this trend! Over-sized plants are a great way to create that jungle look, but remember to be mindful of how much space you have. Adding too many plants to a smaller room can quickly create a cluttered look. Some plants require more maintenance than others, (this is something to consider if you’re out of the house a lot). If you want a few leafy friends that are easy to take care of, choose a paddle plant, Yucca, or Kalanchoe. Adding plants is one of the best ways to create a healthier home.

7. Choose durable materials

When you’re choosing decor items for your room, ensure that you choose durable materials. It can be tempting to choose less expensive items if you’re looking to save money. The issue is, cheaper items aren’t always so durable, which ends up creating waste. Focus on quality brands, and objects that will last. When you carefully consider your purchases you’ll practice mindful shopping habits, and create less waste.

8. Buy second-hand

When you’re purchasing items for your living room, consider looking in second-hand stores, or pre-loved apps. Shopping for second-hand items can help you to live a greener lifestyle and stick to your budget. 

You don’t have to buy everything second-hand, even a few items makes a difference. Vintage stores are a great place to pick up vintage furniture for a great price. This year, it’s all about merging vintage styles with modern decor objects.

9. Make your own

Feeling a little creative? Instead of purchasing everything, why not make a few of your own items? You might attempt an upcycling project using your recycling? Perhaps you’d like to make a piece of art for your wall? Whether it’s knitting a tablecloth or making your own candle there are many ways to get creative and go green.

10. Energy efficient 

While you’re making interior design changes you should also have a think about how energy efficient your home is. The end of the summer is a great time to improve your insulation. You can purchase insulation boards in lots of different sizes, including 

75mm Insulation Board or 150mm boards. There are several other ways that you can improve your energy efficiency including:

• Ensure that you have energy-star-rated appliances.
• Consider upgrading your windows to triple glazed.
• Try a renewable energy company.
• Seal gaps in doors and windows.
• Use a smart meter to check your usage and save.

There are lots of sustainable ways that you can improve your home. It can be helpful to create a design plan before you make any changes. Your living room should be a space where you can unwind and feel tranquil. Designing an eco-friendly home is a great way to boost your wellness.