With the global pandemic still having its hold on the world and the climate crisis continuing to mount, the world of design persists in its focus on sustainability and earth-friendly practices. Comfort, convenience and beauty with minimal impact on the environment is clearly a sign of times now.
The eco-style of the previous decades has evolved but it still encompasses several main principles: natural materials, relevant technologies, simple lines and minimalism, and an abundance of natural light.
In accordance with that, the following sustainable interior design trends are to be expected in the upcoming period.
Natural and healthy materials
People are becoming more aware of the impact our immediate environment has on our health, particularly the link between the materials used in our homes and indoor air pollution. This is why homeowners are prioritizing clean indoor air, and designers and architects are turning to healthier material options for interiors and structures. For instance, vinyl flooring has given way to linoleum and marmoleum, and carpet companies are ditching the use of stain and water repellent chemicals. They are returning to materials originating from nature so traditionally hand-crafted rugs from Hong Kong with natural colour variations are becoming staple pieces in home design.
Staying indoors during the pandemic left many of us desiring a deeper connection to the natural elements so it’s no surprise that more people have turned to gardening and indoor plants. These are the quickest and simplest way to introduce organic materials in your design. Moreover, adding a few plants to your home will improve air quality and even help brighten your mood.
Repurposed décor
Another thing that the pandemic brought about is the different way people look at the design. We are re-evaluating the things we have and deciding to reuse and repurpose things like furniture and accessories. This is what will continue in the upcoming period and there’ll be a kind of a revival of upgrading used furniture and developing new skills to become more self-sufficient. Renovation projects will boom, there’ll be a lot of DIY upholstery, woodwork, and more.
This is in accordance with longevity, people will either invest more in higher quality, durable pieces or spend more time shopping at thrift stores just to save money. The latter also provides excitement at the prospect of finding a unique item, be it vintage or recycled, and this is one of the most rewarding ways to design sustainably.
Smart tech
Another big trend is eco-friendly smart technology. Diversity and globalization will interlock and future technology like 5G will be more present in the home design. Contemporary sustainable design is practically unthinkable without the use of smart home technology and environmentally-friendly solutions such as solar systems, heat recovery systems, condensing boilers, biogas as fuel, heat pumps, and wind turbines. These are no longer futuristic, science-fiction notions, but rather integral parts of modern home design projects.
Energy efficiency
An energy-efficient home is a sustainable home and incorporating more energy-efficient appliances is what appeals to a wide range of designers and homeowners. The advantages are manifold – while they might be a more substantial investment initially, highly energy-efficient appliances typically reduce utility costs and pay for themselves in a short period of time. Moreover, they are kinder to the environment as well, and with the alarming global climate crisis, this is something that has been on everyone’s radar.
Minimalism
Sustainable interior design is essentially minimalistic, and as the earth’s resources continue to dwindle, it’s has been gaining more and more popularity each year. One of the best ways to live sustainably is to scale down and minimize both décor and possessions, particularly those that are labelled as single-use. Décor professionals are favouring clear spaces more than anything else so the fewer pieces of furniture and accessories you have, the more in tune you are with nature. Minimalistic furnishings, especially those hand-crafted using natural materials, can add a touch of elegance and luxury to any space.
Stylish and functional lighting
A lot of importance has been put on lighting for an eco-friendly interior. Most of it has been focused on trends that provide a balance of natural and artificial light, but now, there will be more scenarios that include solutions that enable better care of the room’s vegetal decoration.
This means there will be phyto lamps that create optimal conditions for the growth, and maintenance of indoor plants’ health. Until recently, this was only seen as functional equipment, but contemporary manufacturers offer floor lamp online with a unique design that can blend in harmoniously with the surrounding décor and provide the necessary lighting.
Once again, the upcoming sustainable design promises to be a well-balanced union of natural materials and engineered eco-friendly achievements. A symbiosis of this kind creates a perfect interior of the future – safe, serene, comfortable, aesthetic, and peaceful.
