Sustainable living has been a hot topic over recent years as the issue of climate change continues to make its way into our consciousness, and if you’re one of the many who has been making moves to reduce your plastic waste and cut down your carbon footprint, then you’re part of a new wave of environmentally conscious individuals eager to create a better future for our planet.
Sustainable living hasn’t just infiltrated our day-to-day life and personal habits, and home design has also begun to prioritise factors like energy efficiency, as well as the use of eco-friendly and recyclable materials during the design and construction process. But now, it’s making its way into the interior design domain, too, with some of the most stylish luxury homes created by the industry’s most esteemed professionals exemplifying the trend.
From recyclable furniture to repurposed accessories, eco-friendly and long-lasting materials used in décor like glass storage and bamboo accessories to an endless array of plants, there are plenty of ways that you, too, can embrace the trend towards sustainable home design, and do your bit for the environment, whilst creating the abode aesthetic of your dreams. Here, we take a look at how this can be achieved.
Cardboard furniture
The prospect of introducing cardboard into your multi-million pound home might not initially have you scrambling to arrange a furniture removal service to rid you of your current designer pieces, but hear us out. While cardboard hasn’t traditionally been the kind of material you’d want in your home – in the name of style or comfort – we’ve seen some incredibly creative designs come to light over the past year or so, and dare we say it, they look incredible.
Having risen to prominence during the Tokyo Olympics, when the athletes’ village was kitted out with cardboard beds for them to rest on in a bid to make the event more eco-friendly, it seems the move has sparked a new interest in the possibilities cardboard has to offer – and thanks to its lightweight nature when compared with more traditional options, as well as ticking some impressive boxes when it comes to both stability and looks, here at LLM, our ethos is ‘don’t knock it until you’ve tried it’.
Biophilic design
The trend for bringing the outdoors indoors has been dominating the interior design space for a good couple of years now, but did you know that your penchant for plants is more than just an aesthetic choice?
Filling your home with plants and foliage is a great way to feel more connected with nature and to purify the air in your home, with our leafy pals adept at converting the carbon dioxide we exhale into fresh oxygen. Add to that the fact that they can also help to remove toxins from the air we breathe, and splashing out on some more gorgeous pots and filling them with some new cuttings is a bonafide way to reduce air pollution and thus, your environmental impact – as well as helping to improve your health.
Reusing and repurposing
If you thought embracing the preloved was a trend to avoid in luxury homes, then think again, because in 2022, it has well and truly made its way into the high-end space, with the full backing of some of the world’s top interior and furniture designers.
Upcycling old pieces of furniture doesn’t have to mean whipping out the chalk paint, and there are some sophisticated ways to breathe new life into them, including sanding, polishing and adding new handles or knobs. You can also try reupholstering that expensive designer chaise lounge when you get bored of the colour, or considering new ways to use items you already have at home. If you happen to be artistic, then there’s plenty of fun to be had with getting creative.
Minimalism
And finally a trend that any eco-conscious luxury home owner can get on board with – minimalism. We all know how easily too much clutter can spoil the aesthetic appeal of a space, and instantly detract from the sophisticated feel you’ve tried so hard to create.
If you’ve been holding onto old items you no longer need, then now is the time to have a good clear out and try to rehome, repurpose or recycle the things you can. The items you no longer have a use for will no doubt be gratefully received by your local charity shops, and will give you the space you need to create a lavish living area where your favourite pieces of designer furniture can do all the talking.
Minimalist interior design is based around using the bare essentials to create a simple and uncluttered space, and is characterised by clean lines and a monochromatic colour palette, with natural light and open floor plans further adding to the thoroughly modern feel. That doesn’t mean you can’t use colour at all; do so sparingly in the form of accent pieces, like cushions, vases and artwork to nail the trend.