It may sound paradoxical, but luxury can easily be combined with sustainability. We have observed a demand for sustainable, opulent design as interior designers. This has meant exciting new developments in sustainability in terms of materials and furniture for the living room. Overall, it is as luxurious as ever to be sustainable.
Here, you will find out how to choose genuine luxury living room ideas that are also environmentally friendly. Whether you are using furniture produced from imported reclaimed timber or items made from recycled items, we’ll guide you on how to make your living room more environmentally friendly.
Understanding Sustainable Materials
To know what to look forward to and what to avoid, let us first know what a sustainable material is. Sustainable materials have a minimal impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle. This includes:
Renewable resources
Natural materials that can be regenerated include bamboo, cork and wool.
Recycled and reclaimed materials
Recycling and reusing materials such as recycled wood, polymer, and furniture.
Durable materials
Purchasing durable inputs implies that material costs will likely be incurred less frequently.
Low-impact manufacturing
Selecting materials manufactured with less energy and water and no toxic substances.
Sustainable Furniture Brands
Many brands are now committed to sustainable practices. Look for furniture made from:
FSC-certified wood:
Wood products showing the FSC logo mean the raw material has been derived from a certified, sustainably managed forest.
Bamboo:
It is a green raw material that is becoming increasingly popular because it is quick to grow and very durable.
Recycled materials:
Some firms produce beautiful products from used plastic, metal, or ocean plastic.8
Here are some sustainable furniture brands to consider:
Etsy:
Another good place to look for custom furniture made by hand and from environmentally friendly materials across the globe.
West Elm:
A wide selection of green furniture can be chosen, including one from FSC-certified wood and recycled content.
Crate & Barrel:
Includes examples of fairly produced furniture and home accessories emphasising natural materials.
Restoration Hardware:
It provides a range of ecological furniture, some manufactured from recycled materials.
Choosing Sustainable Flooring
The floor in your living room creates a background to the rest of the space. Consider these eco-friendly options:
- Bamboo flooring: Strong and elegant, and can be bought in different colours and finishes.
- Cork flooring: Comfortable, warm, and coming as they are, insensitive to external sounds.
- Reclaimed hardwood flooring: Adds a countryside feel to your living room while breaking the carbon footprint cycle.
- Natural fibre rugs: Organic colours of wool, jute and sisal provide textural appeal and the feel of warmth while being recyclable.
Eco-Friendly Fabrics and Textiles
Remember to always go for sustainable fabrics when deciding on the materials you will use for your furniture, Upholstery curtains, and cushioning.
- Organic cotton: Organically grown means no use of dangerous chemical pesticides, which is good for you and the earth.
- Linen: A naturally rigid and bactericidal material obtained from the flax plant fibres.
- Hemp: Perhaps the most generalised plant description: a plant that can grow tall and develop very quickly; one that needs little irrigation water and the rare application of pesticides.
- Tencel: A fabric created from wood pulp acknowledged as very gentle and extremely rich in drape.
Eco-Friendly Decor
Regarding a living room, being environmentally friendly is very enjoyable.
- Vintage and antique finds: Find a good home for used items while keeping them from wasting.
- Upcycled décor: Learn to take the old things and recycle them differently so that they look entirely different.
- Plants: Take life inside with indoor plants and improve the quality of the air you breathe. Go for easy-to-care plants such as snake plants or the ZZ plants.
- Natural décor: Use fallen branches, stones, shells, etc, as furnishing items.
- Erasing Darkness While Lightening Your Living Room: A Guide to Using Smart Lighting in Creating an Eco-home
Lighting Your Living Room Sustainably
To be more precise, the room’s light considerably affects the living room’s character. Opt for energy-efficient options like:
- LED lights Use less energy and have a longer life span than regular bulbs.
- Natural light: Ensure you get as much natural light into your home as possible by opting for sheer curtains or using mirrors.
Ethical Sourcing and Responsible Manufacturing
Look for brands that:
Pay fair wages
The following should be done: All workers should be paid a wage equipt to support them and their dependents, and all workers should be protected from hazardous working conditions.
Source materials responsibly
Work with products procured from the natural environment in ways that do not endanger ecosystems.
Minimise their environmental impact
Adopt measures to minimise the usage of materials, water and CO2.
Tips for Creating a Sustainable Luxury Living Room
- Start with a plan: Establish style and needs before going on a shopping spree.
- Invest in quality over quantity: Opt for furniture that will be fashionable for years.
- Shop locally: Hire local talents and purchase products from local businesses.
- Repurpose and upcycle: Throw away old things and give them another chance.
- Choose timeless designs: As much as possible, avoid the latest materials because they may only be in trend for several months or a year.
- Consider the lifecycle of your furniture: Consider what will become of your furniture when you are done with it. Is it possible to recycle it, or could it be up-cycled?
- Make informed choices: Select the brands and materials that reflect your values to use the correct brands in further investigations.
Luxury Living Room with Sustainable Materials
Benefits of Sustainable Luxury Living Room
Creating a sustainable luxury living room is not only good for the planet, but it also offers numerous benefits for you:
Improved health and well-being
Using natural products and finishings guarantees a better quality of indoor space.
Reduced environmental impact
Reduce your emissions and bring us closer to a more sustainable world.
Unique and personal style
Sustainable materials are different from typical materials, and they have certain features that make them unique, giving them the look of a room.
Increased value of your home
It is rather interesting that more and more buyers focus on the possibilities of sustainable features in the marketplace.
Peace of mind
We need to be confident that what we do will make the world a better place.
Luxury means not only the rich appearance of the interior; it is also the space that defines the owner and brings joy. A sustainable luxury living room is a worthy investment for your home, overall well-being, and our land.