How to Create an Eco Friendly Interior

We are all trying to be a little more resourceful and kind to the environment. With many headlines outlining the importance of looking after the world we live in, using sustainable materials and recycling items within our home has become a talking point for homeowners and builders. There are a variety of ways in which you can create an ‘eco friendly’ home interior that not only utilises natural and reusable materials but looks elegant, chic and stylish.

Wood

If you take a look around your home I am betting that there is not a room that doesn’t have some form of wooden furniture or accessories in its design. Hard and soft woods are used in furniture design and building due to their versatility and durability however they are used so frequently that de-forestation is becoming a huge issue in many parts of the world. Many companies now offer eco-friendly furniture items that are made from sustainable wood sources to ensure that any tree that is felled is replaced by another.

Another way to ensure that your furniture is caring to the environment is by using local designers that will handcraft items from trees that have had to be removed from parks and gardens in your area. These trees can be transformed into seats, stools, tables and wardrobes and provide a truly unique look in your home.

Up-Cycling

Up-cycling is a term that has been used quite frequently in the past two years and has become popular due to the demand for more thrifty and frugal living. Re-using old furniture items and materials to create a new and fresh design is a simple and cost effective idea that ensures that old furniture does not end up in rubbish dumps. If your old furniture is looking a little tired then try stripping away any varnish or stains to bring it back to its natural state and sealing it with beeswax for a naturally stylish look.

You can also create a shabby chic style finish using some natural chalk paint that will give a soft and elegant design that is perfect for modern or traditional homes. Palette furniture has also become hugely popular in the past few years. With many companies throwing away their old palettes they can be picked up for free (make sure you ask) and then crafted into fabulous indoor and outdoor seating areas, tables and storage items that will give a industrial elegance to any room of the home.

Glass

Glamorous and glittering kitchens make a fabulous centrepiece within the home however granite and quartz are becoming extremely difficult to source due to overuse and with this rarity comes a rather eye-watering price tag. Many companies now offer a fabulous selection of granite effect worktops and flooring that are crafted from recycled glass bottles and windows to give a strikingly similar appearance.

These worktops come in a vast range of styles and colours and will look fabulous with both contemporary and classic kitchen cupboards. If you’re a big wine drinker (or cola) then why not recycle your old bottles by creating a fabulous circular glass bottle or mosaic wall that makes a great screen in a bathroom area.

Tiles and Flooring

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wall and floor tiles then there are a vast range of products that you can consider. A relatively new product is an innovative tile that is made by recycling old vehicle tyres and contain 75% recycled materials in their manufacturing process. They have a gorgeous slate coloured finish and can actually be used on roofs as an alternative to traditional shingles. Theses tiles come in array of sizes and shapes and their durability means that they will never crack or chip like normal slates.

If wooden or flagstone flooring is not for you then why not try some fabulous cork flooring that will give the same rich and textural appearance as wood using a far more sustainable and recycling material. This flooring will look great in its natural golden tones but can also be naturally dyed into a wide variety of colours such as grey, black or rich red. Cork flooring can be laid in a linear design or formed into a parquet style formation for a classically elegant look.

Plants

Adding some indoor plants to your home may seem like a simple idea that adds colour to your chosen room but having house plants can also bring a number of environmental benefits to your interior space. You can simply add some indoor plants in pots around the room or for a more striking design then create a ‘living wall’ from some wooden panelling with special troughs in which to hold your soil and plants.

Select plants that do not grow too large and include some succulents and cacti for variation and diversity. Indoor plants increase the oxygen in the air (great for asthmatics), produce water (great for skin conditions) and purify the air removing toxins that may be harmful to us and the environment.

For more inspiration on items and ideas that will transform your home into an eco-friendly haven, take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Eco Homes