Recently, I have been strengthening my skills in sustainable design for a vegan restaurant project. As such, I have spent extensive time researching and talking to suppliers about the latest sustainable products and finishes for interiors. It is a fascinating subject and there is a plethora of large and small businesses doing their best to tackle the ecological crisis by coming up with innovative solutions to give waste a second life.
For example, the guys at Woodmancote Retro (https://www.woodmancoteretro.com/) make those fabulous looking stools out of recycled yoghurt pots and children’s toys. Or these tiles made from seashells discarded by the seafood industry and aquaculture (https://www.matterofstuff.com/products/natural-ivory-seastone-plain-tiles).
Being at the forefront of trends and latest materials is part of my job, and one of the perks of hiring a designer to help you improve your home. If you haven’t read my latest blog on the many benefits of using the services of an interior designer, you should head to https://www.delphinebouvetinteriors.co.uk/post/can-i-afford-an-interior-designer
Anyway, the purpose of this post isn’t to teach you what sustainable design entails or ask you to switch to woolly jumpers and sandals. But whilst I’ve been reading so much on the subject over the past couple of months, I’ve picked up a few things here and there which I think are worth sharing. The tips below are all things you can implement easily, at very low cost, and that will benefit both you and our precious planet earth.
Tip #1 Make recycling easy
It might be an obvious thing but if you can arrange different containers to sort out the waste, everyone in the household as well as visitors, are more likely to recycle effectively. If your council offers a food waste collection, do use it. Food decomposed properly means the nutrients are recycled and a lot less methane is released than if food ends up in a landfill site, compressed with other rubbish. You could also consider composting food waste in your garden. And if you have a dog, there is a technique called hot composting to sterilise pathogens when decomposing dog’s poo. You can buy a kit which is basically a black polystyrene bin with a thermometer in the top.
Tip #2 Use plants to enhance air quality
A clean and well ventilated home will make you feel healthy and happy. Plants are a great way to filter pollutants and bring you that connection to the outdoor. You can hang them from the ceiling or position them on tall shelves in order to save space. Spider plants are pretty much indestructible, add plenty of texture, and propagate easily (or as I like to say ‘make babies’). Aloe vera and snake plants are two of many other great air purifiers for the home.
Tip #3 Turn the next downpour into a positive experience!
It is very easy to connect a rainwater butt to your gutters and collect rainwater to re-use around the garden. Affordable kits are available at most DIY shops. Not only you’ll reduce your water use, but rainwater is full of nutrients that will keep your potted plants in tip top shape. You can’t possibly say no to this!
Tip #4 If you can, install a washing line outside
Tumble dryers are very greedy in energy and can cost a lot of money to run, so if you have a small space to fit some drying lines outside, not only your clothes will last longer but your utility bills will reduce. I only have a small garden and I use a couple of retractable lines which are out of sight as soon as the wash is dry. I also find it quite a relaxing task and a good opportunity to get some time away from the computer screen.
Tip #5 Keep your bike in a handy location
Keeping your bike hooked onto the back wall of your shed might provide a good habitat for spiders but it won’t encourage you to cycle to work or to use it for quick errands. Finding a convenient storage space for your wheels will no doubt be beneficial to your health and the environment so why not looking into it now?
Tip #6 Consider eco low VOC paints for your next decorating project
Natural and highly pigmented paints might cost a bit more but in my opinion they are totally worth the extra expense. You won’t be breathing nasty chemicals during and after application, and you’ll get a depth of colour that paints containing plastic or other chemical binders simply cannot compete with. There are many ‘eco’ paints available these days, my personal favourites are the Paint and Paper Library (owned by Little Greene), Coat, and Earthborne, but there are many more eco conscious paint manufacturers worth checking out.
Tip #7 Maximise daylight
Positioning work stations near windows will reduce the need for artificial light and enhance your well-being too. When designing new spaces, I always make sure to add some reflective surfaces and materials to enhance the feeling of light. You could also consider adding skylights or replacing some doors and windows for full pane versions to maximise daylight. Lighter window treatments, such as voile, can give you the privacy without depriving you of that much needed natural light.
The above tips are only a few from a long list of sustainable strategies, some of which you would already be familiar with, but they do show that it is easy to make your home work better for you and the environment. And if reading this triggers you to make just one of the above changes, then I’m very pleased 😊
Until next time,
Delphine
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