Oftentimes when you think about sustainability and conversation, you may equate those words with a life of asceticism. In order to change your impact on the world around you for the better, you have to rid yourself of the creature comforts that help you feel calm and relaxed in your space.
Thankfully, that isn’t the case. Many homeowners, including those with a less-developed sense of environmental concern, seek to incorporate natural elements in their homes. Many organic features create a sense of serenity within a residence that appeals to people of all sensibilities. As an added bonus, natural elements improve your environmental footprint, last longer than most synthetics, and create less waste.
If you’re looking to revamp your interior design with sustainability in mind, read on to learn more about the best ways to incorporate natural elements into your home.
Plant Life
Botanicals are an ideal way to bring some of the outdoors into your home. They add color and character to a space, and they serve as a constant reminder of the beauty of nature. Not only that, houseplants are good for your health. They freshen up the air around you, eliminate harmful toxins, and improve your quality of life.
Placing a few types of various plants around your home can really freshen up your space. If you’re ready to fully embrace your green thumb, you could even create your own indoor garden in a space that gets a good amount of sunlight. If you’re more of a DIY kind of decorator, you could even get crafty with your plants and create standout pieces that are totally unique to your space. However you choose to incorporate them, plants are one of the easiest and most versatile ways to bring natural elements into your home.
Wood
Wood is a go-to choice for sustainable design, and the use of raw materials has become an increasingly on-trend choice in interior design in recent years. Using raw materials means leaving the element rough and irregular, rather than beautifully finished like most elements of interior design. Wood stump tables, shiplap and butcher block countertops are ideal examples.
While wood adds a cozy element of natural appeal to your home, it also creates a more eco-friendly environment. It’s an exceptional insulator, allowing you to save money on heating and cooling your home. Plus, it’s a carbon neutral building material, which ultimately reduces your impact on climate change.
Natural Sunlight
Sometimes incorporating nature into your interior design doesn’t actually start inside—it starts outside. Simple as it may be, bringing natural sunlight into your space can infuse your indoors with the warmth and freedom of the outdoors. Not only is natural light better for your health, it also allows you to unplug and reduce some of your electrical use, at least during the day.
Large windows and open curtains are essential for infusing your space with daylight. As you light up your room, the colors and patterns of your design will seem brighter and more vibrant. Landscape photography on the wall will come to life as will the floral rugs and patterned pillows. By using natural sunlight, you can highlight your carefully selected design elements without changing anything within your space. Plus, it’s the ultimate way to bring the comfort of the outdoors into your eco-friendly home.