Green Interior Design: The Guide to Sustainable High Style

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The first place to start is by establishing which shade of green best reflects your intended tone and style. Green is often used to symbolise prosperity, peace, harmony and nature, but different tones will obviously have varying impacts. A deep emerald green can be used to emphasise luxury and opulence, for example, while sage can act as a more neutral, soothing base. Designing with resource conservation in mind requires mindful use of limited resources. Designing interiors with a long, adaptable lifetime or with eventual reuse in mind also conserves resources in the long term by reducing the need for remodels or reducing waste in future remodels. Additionally, “green” interior design protects the health of users by designing for wellbeing and the prevention of indoor air pollution. “Green” interior design is forward-thinking, enhancing the lives of users today and in the future, while protecting the environment for years to come. Is “green” the same thing as sustainable? The ultimate in nature-inspired decorating, green is one of the most popular and versatile colours to use in a living room. In colour psychology, greens are usually associated with balance and harmony, and act as the bridge between stimulating warm colours and calming cool colours. A small kitchen area featuring green kitchen counters, center island, and cabinetry along with hardwood flooring. A dining area featuring green walls and hardwood flooring, along with a rustic rectangular dining table set.

There are three fundamental principles to “green” interior design: energy efficiency, resource conservation, and health. When designing or remodeling an interior, optimizing the energy efficiency reduces pollution and saves resources for the entire lifetime of the interior. While maximizing energy efficiency is sometimes more expensive upfront, in the long term reducing energy consumption saves money and pays for itself. Whatever language you use to describe it, sustainable design is imperative. The good news is, no matter what your personal style, you do not need to compromise. Sustainable interior design is possible in any style, from Neoclassical to mid-century modern, and everything in between. Twelve Examples of Sustainable Design Avoid Volatile Organic Compounds Photo: At East Village Theater – “Carpet” by Rex Roof, shared under Creative Commons Attribution. This kitchen boasts stylish kitchen counters with smooth countertops. The bright green cabinetry looks absolutely stunning. In the home, no room uses more water than the bathroom. Take this excuse to pamper yourself and update your bathroom. Modernize your bathroom to make it feel like an oasis and replace your fixtures with water-efficient fixtures. Make sure to recycle your old fixtures. Sustainable Interior Design at Design InstituteReducing energy consumption can be as simple as updating window treatments to reduce heat transmission. A primary bathroom with marble tiles flooring and a marble sink counter with a double sink. There’s a walk-in shower room as well. This primary bedroom features green walls and carpet flooring, along with espresso-finished furniture. Large great room with hardwood flooring and green walls. The area offers a living space near the stone fireplace.

Green primary bedroom with its own bathroom. The room offers a large comfy bed and carpet flooring, along with multiple indoor potted plants. The wooden main door of this airy foyer has an arched top that is followed by the sidelights that form an arch over the door. This is properly contrasted by the pastel green hue of the walls that matches well with the white ceiling. The hardwood flooring is topped with a colorful patterned rug that serves as a welcome mat. Source: Zillow Digs TM Spacious dining area featuring a classy dining table set on top of a large area rug and is lighted by a glamorous chandelier. Small primary bathroom featuring a toilet area, a corner tub and two pedestal sinks surrounded by green walls with a white accent.Huge primary bathroom with green classy walls and green tiles flooring. The room offers a floating vanity with two vessel sinks along with a freestanding tub. A large living room featuring a brown sofa set with a fireplace and TV in front. The room is surrounded by green walls. Respiratory health is crucial right now. Protect your lungs! Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds is a serious concern with paints and carpets. Make sure your products and materials are no or low VOC to preserve the air quality of your home or office and breathe more easily. Material Reuse Photo: “It Never Rains in Southern California” by Kylie_Jaxxon, shared under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike A green living room doesn't necessarily mean wall-to-wall colour however. Indoor plants are the most obvious way to bring in elements of green, you can use clever paint techniques to highlight wall panelling or window frames in pretty shades of sage, or go for one of the most desirable living room pieces – the green velvet sofa. Next, consider the mood you want to create – cozy and enveloping, in which case a darker green will suit – or light and airy, in which case you will want to choose a paler shade. What colors complement green?