Last Updated on 14 June 2023 by Lily
11 Eco-friendly Materials for Interior Design in Your House
Whether decorating or redecorating your home, choosing interiors for your home is very exciting. Applying sustainable materials for interior design in your home by yourself can be a challenge. That is why I am here to help you! Today, I am going to share 11 lists of sustainable materials for interior design that you can apply to your house.
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11 List of Sustainable Materials for Interior Design
Sustainable interior design is not just about choosing eco-friendly furniture to decorate a space. It is beyond that. Learn about sustainability in interior design from here. When you choose sustainable materials, do not forget to check the company’s sustainability. How they made it, where they made it, how they treat labour workers, how they send you, etc.
Cork
What is Cork?
Cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees that grow in Mediterranean Europe and North Africa. When the cork is harvested, not one single tree is cut down. The bark is naturally renewable and regrows itself every nine to twelve years which means removing the bark doesn’t damage the tree at all.
Renew itself is not the only ability cork has. Cork is also completely biodegradable. Moreover, as well as being regenerative, the trees also require minimal resources to grow which means the cork has a much less carbon footprint compared to many other materials.
So by using cork can have a vast number of positive impacts and benefits to the environment and ecosystem.
Where to use it?
You know now that cork is one of the best sustainable interior design materials you can use in your home. Its natural variations in tone and texture, which create richness and depth. Cork is waterproof, fire retardant, and antimicrobial, so it can be used on walls, floors, accessories, or as insulation around bathrooms, kitchens and laundries.
What are the benefits of using cork interiors?
Cork is extremely durable. It will last up to 50 years if you take care properly. Longevity is one of the things you should consider when you choose sustainable materials.
And also as cork is naturally antimicrobial, it can prevent mould, mildew, termites and other harmful insect infestations and its antistatic surface eliminates dust and toxin absorption which benefits people with allergies.
By using cork, it can keep your home cleaner air and healthy.
Bamboo
What is Bamboo?
Bamboo is a very beautiful natural sustainable material for interior design. Bamboo is actually a grass-type plant, rather than a tree. It is extremely renewable. The rate of bamboo growth is so high that it does not require any usage of fertilisers or pesticides and it takes less energy to produce it than wood.
The growth speed isn’t the only thing that makes bamboo sustainable materials used in interior design. When bamboo is harvested, in most cases it doesn’t need to be replanted. Because it just grows back its own, and quickly, making it an excellent green option for sustainable interiors.
And also Bamboo can adapt to any weather conditions. Changes in temperature, humidity, soil and climates do not affect its growth.
Where to use it?
Bamboo is not only a very strong material, it’s also a very flexible, and versatile material. So it can be used in various fields such as the building industry, architecture and design sectors. For inside your house, flooring, ceilings and also you can use furniture, rugs, fabrics, textiles made by bamboo to make your home natural texture and elegance.
What are the benefits of using bamboo interiors?
Bamboo wood is very strong and durable. It is twice as hard as oak which means they are less susceptible to scratching or denting. Also, it’s waterproof, so it is easier to clean and has better stain resistance than hardwood.
Using bamboo products at home also has many health benefits for you and your family such as no allergic reaction, wicks away moisture, anti-bacteria and many more. Learn more from here. Bamboo is one of the best sustainable materials for interior design in your home!
Reclaimed wood
What is Reclaimed wood?
Reclaimed wood is natural up-cycled wood that comes from old barns, households, shops, warehouses or businesses. The wood is removed from these settings, refinished, and given a new life. Reclaimed wood is an earth-friendly sustainable interior design material.
Where to use it?
Reclaimed wood is very flexible. It will look good in any room. You can use it as decoration, or you can make furniture with it. It can be the door, some shelves, walls, floor, or ceiling. Reclaimed wood adds to your home uniqueness and warmth and it creates a county home atmosphere.
What are the benefits of using Reclaimed wood interiors?
Wood interiors in your home create similar health benefits to those created by spending in nature. It helps to reduce blood pressure, heart rates, and stress levels, whilst improving well being, creativity, cognitive abilities, and the air we breathe.
Furthermore, reclaimed wood helps reduce the number of harmful chemicals used in the lumber industry which means we can avoid water pollution by using reclaimed wood.
Natural Stones
What are Natural Stones?
Natural stone is mother earth’s original sustainable interior design materials that do not require other materials or resources to create. There are different kinds of natural stones like Marble, Fieldstone, Brick, Terrazzo, Limestone, Granite, Quartzite, Slate, etc.
Natural stones have been used for thousands of years already and it is a versatile product that can be used inside and outside. Natural stones have many environmentally advantages like enduring life-cycle, durability, easy to maintain, recyclability, and energy efficiency.
Where to use it?
The popular choices are countertops and backsplashes in the kitchen, bathroom, wall, and flooring which will bring warmth and charm to your home. These stones come in such a wide variety of colours and unique patterns, so you can create a room in your own style.
What are the benefits of using natural stones interiors?
They aren’t only kind to the environment. Natural stones contain no harmful chemicals or toxins, so your house environment will be healthy. And also they are durable, therefore you won’t need to be replaced for a long time.
Recycled Glass
What is recycled glass?
Recycled glass is the glass you throw in the recycling bin and turn into sustainable interiors. Actually, glass is completely and endlessly recyclable. Glass is an expensive raw material, and there was a lot of glass waste from everywhere lying around. Creating a new product from recycled materials are the best kind of help for the environment. It is a beautiful and unique design element that is environmentally responsible.
Where to use it?
It can be used from decor items such as a table to bathroom sinks, backsplash or countertops in the kitchen and flooring. You can use literally any surface where you want to replace the stone. You can find it in a variety of colours.
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What are the benefits of using recycled glass interiors?
Glass is a durable sustainable material. The benefit of using recycled glass is that it is non-porous, stain-resistant and low-maintenance. It can be easily cleaned by using everyday glass cleaners and water. If you get recycled glass interiors from locals, it’s even better for the planet as you can help in reducing the ecological footprint.
Recycled Aluminium
What is Recycled Aluminum?
Aluminium is everywhere. Phones, PCs, TVs, sporting equipment, furniture, mirrors and coffee machines and many other products. We use something containing aluminium in our everyday lives. These products can be recycled and turned into one of the most eco-friendly sustainable materials for interior design.
Where to use it?
Aluminium is also versatile sustainable material for interior design as it is lightweight, strong, resistant to corrosion, and durable. There are furniture items made from aluminium including tables, chairs, lamps, shutters, picture frames and decorative wall panels, air conditioning units and heaters. Also, there are sliding doors, traditional window frames, and a variety of front and back doors made of aluminium.
What are the benefits of using recycled aluminium interiors?
Aluminium is one of the most energy-efficient materials you can have at your home. Also aluminium is repeatedly able to recycle, so if you want to get rid of your recycled aluminium interior, you can just give it to a professional recycling company. Another advantage of using recycled aluminium is easy to wash, but not easy to scratch or drip.
Rattan
What is Rattan?
Rattan is a plant that grows extremely fast (Up to 2 cm for a day) which is the balance-keeper in the rainforest. It renews in only 5 – 7 years. It is produced in low energy and low waste way like bamboo. So it is an exceptionally sustainable material for interior design.
Where to use it?
Rattan furniture is an attractive sustainable interior. It is used in many different kinds of products such as tables, chairs, drawer chests, or baskets which you can put in the bathroom, living room, or kitchen. It also fits well in the garden, patio, or balcony as Rattan can confidently handle both high and low temperatures and even with humidity.
What are the benefits of using Rattan interiors?
The advantage of using Rattan is that they are very lightweight, so it is easy to move from one place to another. Also, it is easy to clean and requires low maintenance. It’s a natural material that is recyclable and biodegradable. Rattan is one of the best wood sustainable interiors for your home.
Recycled Plastic
What is Recycled Plastic?
Well, I guess you know what it is as we live surrounded by plastics. Various amazing designers create furniture with this recycled plastic we throw in the bin which is not only sustainable but also fully functional.
Where to use it?
There are so many creative sustainable interiors made from recycled plastics. Tables, chairs, bench, rugs, etc which you can use inside and outside of the house.
What are the benefits of using Recycled Plastic interiors?
Choosing recycled plastic interiors helps the environment, But that is not the only benefit recycled plastics have. Having recycled plastic interiors at your home can save you time and money as well as it lasts years without maintenance.
Natural Fabrics
What is Natural Fabrics?
Natural fabrics are Hemp, Wool, Linen, Organic Cotton, Jute, Bamboo, Silk. They usually have a less environmental impact than others because natural fibres do use fewer chemicals during the production process. These are the most sustainable fabrics for your home textiles.
Where to use it?
There are curtains, rugs, table runners, throws, bedding, towels, pillows, blankets, chair covers that are made from natural fabrics. Natural fabrics are incredibly absorbent. This makes a great option for bed sheets and towels.
What are the benefits of using Natural Fabrics?
They are a better natural alternative for fabrics that have a low impact on the earth. If you use recycled natural fabrics, that’s even better. Natural fabrics are breathable, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, durable, heat-responsive and naturally repellent to mould. They are definitely high-quality sustainable materials for interior design in your home.
Natural Paint
What is Natural Paint?
Natural Paint is 100% non-toxic paint that does not contain or less VOC. It is much healthier than traditional paint. These are the safest paints for people and the environment.
Where to use it?
You can use it anywhere you want. Bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway etc.
What are the benefits of using Natural Paint?
As I mentioned above, it is non-toxic. So it does not have any negative effect on you and your family. You can easily clean up just with soap and warm water as well. Environmentally, using natural paints reduces landfill, groundwater and ozone depleting contaminants.
Tatami
What is Tatami?
Tatami is a traditional Japanese mat made of woven straw and rice straw that is left after harvesting the rice. They are recyclable and completely biodegradable.
Where to use it?
Tatami has a natural smell that makes you relax. So it is good to use as a yoga mat or meditation mat. You can use it for a tea room, in a corner of the living room, or even make a Tatami room.
What are the benefits of using Tatami?
Tatami has many benefits for your health as well as for the environment. It has the ability to clean indoor air, improve your sleep quality and it’s anti-bacterial. There is more magic about Tatami. It can block the heat and humidity in the summer and make it warm and moisture into the air in the winter.
Example of Sustainable Materials Used in Interior Design
Here are some mood boards that created by using sustainable materials interior:
Final thoughts on Sustainable Materials for Interior Design in Your Home
Decorating with sustainable materials for interior design in your home is beneficial for you as well as to the planet. You can make your home healthier and simple but unique by using sustainable materials interiors. The hard part is not finding eco-friendly interiors. There are actually many shops where you can get sustainable interiors. However, it is not easy to find a shop that is ethical and sustainable. Hopefully, there will be more in the future.
Wanna make your house more sustainable? Let me help you! I am offering E-Design service. More info from here!
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