EC0-FRIENDLY
INTERIOR DESIGN
Eco-Friendly Design
Many of us are looking for ways to be more friendly to the environment as well as use products that are healthy for us. This is also true when it comes to designing our houses. As a result, we have sustainable design, also known as eco-friendly design or green design. Sustainable design is a way to design homes that reduces negative implications on the environment while also making sure that those in the house are healthy. Sustainable design eliminates the use of non-renewable resources, decreases waste, while creating a healthy environment within the house.
An Eco-Friendly Interior Designer is someone who focuses attention and resources on improving the quality of the air and purchasing furniture that does not have a negative impact on the environment. An Eco-Friendly Interior Designer will carefully review and research all elements of the project including cabinets, rugs, furnishings and wall paint. At Anatomy of Style we have a deep understanding of eco-friendly design. This type of design can improve your overall health, while also protecting the environment. In addition, it is often the best economic choice when you calculate the long term 'life-cycle cost' rather than the upfront cost. High quality items are more sustainable than low quality items, which often end up in landfills and are replaced more frequently.
Eco-Friendly Design focuses on some key elements. For example, many materials and paints have chemicals called volatile organic compound (VOC) which are released into the air and have dangerous long-term impacts on your health. When it comes to furniture, consider using organic materials that do not contain polyurethane foam wrapped in dacron, for example. These are petroleum-based and flammable. In an effort to protect buyers, they are treated with many chemicals to make them flame-retardant. These chemicals have been found to cause many health problems. Also, consider furniture that is made from solid woods, such as maple, oak, walnut, or teak. Solid wood does not require the use of as much adhesive, which has been known to emit VOCs. Furniture that is not solid wood is typically particleboard, which is often made from sawdust, shavings, and glue. An ingredient in the adhesives is formaldehyde, which can cause allergic reactions and is toxic. Bamboo and cork have become increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to wood and are considered leading materials in green design. Some woods are sustainably harvested and some are not. Sustainable furniture is now labeled as such so it's important to read details and ask questions. If you are considering rugs, you should generally select one made of natural fibers like wool, cotton, bamboo, hemp or jute rather than synthetics. Although there are now rugs made of recycled plastic bottles and other sustainable design alternatives. Buying vintage or antiques is considered eco-friendly, regardless of material, as they are being recycled, saved from landfills and require no additional materials or energy to produce.