“Reduce, reuse, and recycle” are the three pillars of sustainable living, a movement that encourages conscious lifestyle choices to preserve resources and limit environmental impact. A sustainably designed home requires a holistic approach including how a house is designed and built to the site location, the selection of materials inside and outside, and the maintenance of the yard and garden surroundings.  Sustainable design is not a branch of design but rather a framework in which all design should be practiced.  Reducing waste, conserving water, and increasing energy efficiency are just a few of the principles that consumers consider when they want to decorate or build “Green”.  Environmentally conscious interior design should always ensure human health.  While all of this sounds appealing and motivating, it can be daunting.  Let’s break it down a bit...

Sustainable product design was developed by German chemist Michael Braungart and American architect William McDonough, who challenged manufacturers to eliminate waste to create a closed-loop cycle where resources are continuously reused and remade into products. The duo founded the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute, which now runs the "Cradle to Cradle Certified Program". If you haven’t already read the book, Cradle to Cradle co-authored by Braungart and McDonough, I highly recommend it!  In addition to the certification’s material reutilization requirement, material health, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness are equally examined.

Although Cradle-to Cradle is the gold standard for sustainable products, any company wishing to improve its environmental impact can adopt the same principles by providing transparent information such as an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration).  Not only is sustainable home design eco-friendly, but it can also be trendy. Here are several tips on how to implement sustainable home decor without compromising your style:

 

Do you want to build a brand-new home or remodel your home and implement some sustainable or “Green” options?  Where do you begin?  Hiring a LEED or WELL-certified Architect and Designer is a good start, but you can also do some research on your own and look for specific sustainable certifications. In the world of sustainable design, there are numerous certifications to declare a product, building, or business as “Green”.  For example, you may see the “OEKO-TEK” certification which means this fabric is free from harmful sprays and chemicals. Some of the most common labels to look for while you are looking for resources are as follows.  Ask your salesperson or designer to show you products including these certifications:

Fair Trade USA™ - this label represents responsible business, conscious consumerism, and shared value to eliminate poverty and enable sustainable development for farmers, workers, their families, and communities around the world.

FloorScore® - Floor Score is the most recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underpayments. As always, best practices for flooring include all natural materials first and then consider the adhesives and glues.

FSC-Certified - FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. When shopping for furniture, ask about product lines that have FSC-certified wood components.

Good Weave - is the leading international institution working to stop child labor in global supply chains through a market-based system and holistic approach. 

Green Guard - UL GREENGUARD Certification helps manufacturers make and market products with low chemical emissions and that contributes to healthier indoor air. More than 450 federal purchasers, retailers, green building rating tools, and building codes around the world recognize, refer to and prefer UL GREENGUARD Certified products.

Energy Star and Water Sense – sourcing plumbing fixtures that conform to national standards of lower energy and water use.  Always keep these two in mind when shopping for appliances and plumbing fixtures.

Be mindful and purposeful with the design and purchases of your home to ensure sustainable living. As a designer, I have clients who want to make solid healthy investments in their homes so that years down the road they don’t have to do it again.  If we are willing to take the time, effort, and resources to furnish and build our spaces, then let’s make conscious decisions to do it aesthetically and sustainably.