Designing a sustainable home

I rarely bang a drum, I have my own values but I am also conscious that having other people's thoughts thrown at you all the time can get tiring. So, before you stop reading and roll your eyes at me, let me say that this month's blog is not about telling anyone off or saying you must do better. Rather it is my journey of discovery about sustainable design and how I could help improve a tiny bit of the world I live in.

I was lucky enough to spend a fascinating morning the other week at Spark & Bell HQ learning about their fabulous lighting and ethos of sustainable processes and design and getting to listen to the amazing Chloe Bullock who has been a leader in sustainable design for a number of years. Her book Sustainable is a fabulous read for any designers out there wanting to make sure they are approaching designing with mindfulness to our planet as much as to the client and their wellbeing. And as ever both of these inspiring women got me thinking...

Sustainability is big business these days. You hear it everywhere. But sadly making 'better choices' is not really easy anymore (thanks to greenwashing) or enough for any of us. Rather time is against us - we all see the horrific stats out there and without banging drums too loudly (ok this is my drum banging statistic to bring home the seriousness of it all):

Historically, the Amazon acted as a major carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of CO₂ and helping to regulate global climate. However, recent studies show that parts of the south eastern Amazon are now emitting more CO₂ than they absorb, mainly due to deforestation, wildfires, and climate change.

A 2021 study published in Nature found that the Amazon released nearly 1 billion metric tons of CO₂ per year due to forest degradation and fires, outweighing the amount it absorbs.

It's all overwhelming though isn't it? As an interior designer, my job is to make your life easier. I am here to help make design choices that will improve your home both functionally and aesthetically. I have always believed in creating homes that are not only beautiful but also mindful of the world around us. So how we design (and build and produce products) needs to give people a simpler route to making the right choices.

Right now we have to be top class detectives to ensure what we are being told is true - fact checking is becoming an onerous part of our new world. Greenwashing is common. I would say that the majority of us want to 'do the right thing' but with limited time, budget and information it makes it so much harder to achieve. So our wider industry should be making it our responsibility to improve processes and lift up companies that are doing things the right way. We need to be giving you an easy way of making the sustainable choices.

Photo credit: COAT Paints / FiveatNumberThree

For me, sustainable interior design is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating homes that feel good, function well, and respect the planet. Sustainable design is about wellbeing in the home as well as about climate change. working practices, circular economies and more. Whether through material choices, energy efficiency, or simply rethinking how we use and appreciate our spaces, there are so many ways we can make a positive impact. We as consumers are becoming more conscious of our choices, and brands know it. But while some companies are genuinely committed to eco-friendly practices, others use clever marketing tactics to appear more sustainable than they really are. In the world of interiors, greenwashing is everywhere, from "eco-friendly" paints that still contain harmful chemicals to "sustainable" furniture that’s mass-produced in conditions far from ethical.

So, how do we separate fact from fiction? Did you know that paint is one of the largest pollutants in our rivers and oceans? That one shocked me.

A 2022 report by the Swiss-based Environmental Action found that paint accounts for approximately 58% of microplastics in aquatic environments. This figure surpasses previous estimates, which ranged between 9% and 21%.

So as part of my chance to make a difference (however small) I thought you might like an overview on how we all can make more sustainable design decisions at home.

Shop Smarter: The Importance of Provenance

Where and how we shop matters. First off (without getting too Martin Lewis TV money man on you) do you need it? If not really then don't! And if the answer is yes, then consider pieces with a clear, ethical provenance—whether that means choosing furniture crafted from sustainably sourced materials, supporting local artisans, or investing in brands with transparent supply chains. Phrases like "all-natural," "eco-conscious," or "green-certified" sound great, but without any verification, they mean very little. Many of these terms have no legal definition, so brands can use them freely without meeting any real standards.

What to do: Research the Supply Chain – Does the brand provide transparency about where and how their products are made? Brands with nothing to hide often have detailed information on their websites. Look for recognized certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for wood, Cradle to Cradle for materials, or OEKO-TEX for textiles. These indicate real environmental responsibility.

Timeless design is my go to here, by opting for well-made pieces it reduces the need for frequent replacements, which in turn minimizes waste.

Materials Matter: Choosing Wisely

From flooring to soft furnishings, the materials we bring into our homes should be chosen with care. Many paints, adhesives, and finishes release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to poor indoor air quality and posing health risks. Sustainable woods like FSC-certified timber (or even better hemp flooring is on its way to the UK), natural paints with low VOCs, and recycled or upcycled materials all contribute to a healthier and more environmentally friendly home. Even small swaps—like opting for organic cotton bedding or wool rugs over synthetic alternatives—can make a difference.

Many brands now claim to be "carbon neutral" by purchasing carbon offsets, meaning they pay for trees to be planted instead of reducing their own emissions. While this isn't inherently bad, it often distracts from the bigger issue—why aren’t they lowering their carbon footprint in the first place? It's exhausting isn't it? Why can't we all just tell it how it is?

What to do: Look for brands that prioritize reducing their environmental impact first, rather than relying solely on offsets. Use Ethical Shopping Guides – Websites like Good On You (for textiles), Ecolabel Index, and B Corporation’s directory provide verified ratings on a brand’s sustainability.

Energy Efficiency: Designing for the Future

Good design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about functionality and longevity. We all want a comfortable home (and ideally one that doesn't cost us the earth to run). Science Direct stated that:

Energy consumption in residential buildings constitutes a significant portion of the United Kingdom's total energy use. In 2023, housing—including activities such as space heating, hot water, lighting, cooking, and appliance operation—accounted for approximately 30.23% of all energy consumption in the UK.

So by integrating energy-efficient elements into a home—such as LED lighting, well-insulated windows, and smart heating controls—reduces energy consumption while creating a comfortable living environment. Thoughtful space planning can also help maximize natural light and ventilation, cutting down on the need for artificial lighting and excessive heating or cooling.

Wellness and Biophilic Design: Bringing the Outdoors In

A sustainable home is one that also supports well-being. A segue way on from my blog last month really here. Biophilic design—incorporating natural elements like plants, natural light, and organic textures—not only enhances aesthetics but also improves air quality and mental health. True biophilic design is not just about adding a few plants (although air purifying ones are always a winner in my book too) but about designing for all your senses, from hearing birdsong or water running to breathing fresh air and having plenty of daylight in your space. Something as simple as positioning furniture to make the most of a view, making your window dressing work to bring in oodles of daylight or manage the suns glare in the summer months can all make an impact on how well you live in your space.

Marketing plays on our subconscious, making us associate a product with eco-friendliness simply through branding. Earthy tones, leaves, and nature-inspired designs can make a product feel sustainable, even if it isn’t.

What to do: Ignore the aesthetics and read the labels. Check the materials, where they come from, and how they’re made.

To ensure a healthy interior focus on your visual, acoustic and thermal comfort as a whole. From thinking about sound pollution, air pollution and even clutter in the home (yes visual pollution!) you can adapt your home to improve how you live in it

Reusing and Repurposing: Making the Most of What You Have

One of the first questions I ask any client is what items do they have that they would like to keep in the space, bring to the space or re-use in some way. Sustainability isn’t about throwing everything out and starting over. Quite the opposite—it’s about making the most of what you already own. I love working with clients to repurpose, reupholster, or reimagine their existing pieces, giving them a fresh lease of life rather than consigning them to landfill. Whether it’s restoring a beautiful vintage chair or creatively reworking a family heirloom, these details add character and soul to a space. It's better for your budget, the environment and is a winner all round.

Designing for Longevity: The Power of Timeless Style

Fast interiors—just like fast fashion—can be wasteful. Instead of following fleeting trends, I encourage a more considered approach: investing in high-quality, well-crafted pieces that stand the test of time. A thoughtfully designed home should evolve with its owner, offering flexibility and adaptability rather than requiring constant change. Who wants that? My clients come to me as they often do not have the time to think through everything needed for their updates to their homes - why then would you design something that will need updating in a year or two? Longevity is key! Being aware of the provenance and how items are produced is how to avoid getting greenwashed with your choices. Some brands launch a small, eco-friendly product line while their main collection continues unsustainable practices. It’s a way to appear progressive without making real changes.

What to do: Look at a brand’s entire business model. Are they making sustainability a core value, or is it just a marketing tool? Equally a company may promote a product as "made from recycled materials," yet fail to mention that it's manufactured in a factory with high carbon emissions or wrapped in layers of plastic. What are the working conditions and pay of employees in the supply chain?

What to do: Investigate the full lifecycle of a product—how it's made, how long it lasts, and where it ends up after use.

Again I appreciate this is time consuming and frustrating. And this is exactly why as an industry we need to simplify the messaging and make sure your path to making the best choices is clear. And that is why designers and advocates for change like Chloe Bullock are so important in getting the message out there.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Sustainability isn’t all or nothing. Even small shifts—choosing refillable cleaning products, reducing plastic in the home, or swapping to sustainable textiles—can collectively make a meaningful difference. But next time you are renovating or updating a space, maybe consider some of the above in the process or ask for some help from a designer who can support a sustainable design.

Sustainability in interiors shouldn’t be about marketing—it should be a core principle. As consumers, we have the power to hold brands accountable by asking the right questions and choosing wisely.

If you’re looking for truly sustainable interior solutions, I can help navigate the greenwashing minefield and find authentic, responsible options that look beautiful and do good for the planet. Let’s create homes that stand the test of time—ethically and aesthetically. It's our collective responsibility to try and make the best of our world and also it's our responsibility to make our own environment the best it can be for our own wellbeing. We've got this!

Next month's blog will be out in May and cover a much lighter topic to read with your cup of tea about how to add pattern and colour to your interiors.

Message me today: tor@denlife.co.uk

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