Eco friendly and sustainable interior design is all about designing with a focus on people and the planet. Reducing pollution and waste by being careful and conscious with our choices can lead to a happy planet and a happy interior - what’s not to love?!

So, enjoy today’s guide about how to decorate sustainably and how to shop with longevity in mind.

Plan your design scheme first

*Plan your scheme with a mood board before committing to anything*

Let me tell you a story a friend who panic bought a sofa from Ikea because she was worried there wouldn’t be enough seating for her guests on New Years Eve. January came round and she was left with a sofa which not only didn’t complement her style, but was also too big and too bulky for the room. It ended up being sold for a fraction of what she bought it for on Facebook marketplace - a complete waste of money.

The moral of the story? Do not panic buy. “Failing to prepare is to prepare to fail” - this counts for interiors too! We want whatever furniture we buy to stand the test of time and last us for years. I always say that creating a mood board is the best way to verify whether what you want to buy fits in with your scheme, and is the best way of avoiding the regret of purchasing something that isn’t right.

Invest in timeless furniture

Interior design trends come and go, and it’s important that we invest in furniture which will last and won’t need to be replaced regularly. Timeless furniture is not only furniture which won’t go out of style, but also furniture which is built well and will last.

Check out one of my previous blog posts; how to buy timeless furniture.

Shop vintage

Vintage furniture shopping is a really fun activity and you can find some absolute gems for your home. With vintage furniture, the proof is in the pudding that the furniture is well made and has stood the test of time.

Another major plus point to buying vintage furniture is that you’ll have something that’s one of a kind and unique, with its own story and history.

Great places to look for vintage furniture include online, like Vinterior and Pamano, second hand market places like Ebay and Facebook Marketplace, as well as local charity shops and auctions.

Try to buy recycled and sustainable materials

*The Nomad Sultan rug by Weaver Green* *- made from 100% recycled plastic bottles*

I would suggest that you check out a companies sustainability policy when deciding to purchase furniture. Take notice of whether they use biodegradable plastic for packaging, and whether they use FSC certified materials (FSC certified wood which ensures wood and other materials come from well-managed forests or recycled sources).

You’ll find that a lot of retailers have a sustainable line, like West Elm with their sustainably sourced range, Soflology’s Eco Edit, the Heals Recycled Furniture range and the Loaf reclaimed collection.

I also love Weaver Green, whose lovely and soft rugs are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

Shop your home

*Lisa Dawson’s beautiful room full of vintage furniture and modern accessories*

The "shop your home” philosophy, championed by Lisa Dawson, is the idea of faffing with your own furniture and moving what you already have around to create a new fresh space - rather than buying more.

In her book Resourceful Living, she talks about how to revamp your home resourcefully, avoiding fast-fashion and with minimal waste.

Read her blog post all about how to Shop Your Home here.

Upcycle your old furniture

And finally, for the DIY savvy amongst us, is giving old furniture a fresh lease of life by upcycling it. That could be anywhere from simply sanding and repainting it, replacing some old drawer knobs, or it could be something more extravagant than that.

Pinterest is absolutely bursting with upcycling ideas to prevent you throwing out a piece of funiture and instead turning it into something that you love.

If you’d like my help with your next project, check out my services to see how we can work together. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, don’t forget to subscribe below to receive my new post in your inbox every Sunday.