Where Do I Start? Sustainable Interior Design
Battling Planned Obsolescence, Embracing Circularity, and Navigating Design Trends
In an era where environmental consciousness is at the forefront of our minds, sustainability has become more than just a buzzword.
It's a way of life, a guiding principle in various aspects of our existence, including the realm of interior design.
This blog post explores the significance of sustainability in the industry, the pervasive issue of planned obsolescence, the lack of circularity in goods, and how design trends intersect with these challenges.
The Essence of Sustainable Interior Design
Sustainable interior design revolves around creating spaces that not only look visually stunning but also minimize negative impacts on the environment and improve our quality of life. It encompasses various principles and practices that strive to strike a balance between aesthetics, functionality, and eco-friendliness.
Let’s explore some ways in which sustainability-conscious interior designers ( & lighting designers!) strive to accomplish this.
1. Eco-friendly Materials
One of the cornerstones of sustainable interior design is the use of eco-friendly materials. Designers are now turning to reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and other environmentally responsible materials, aligning with the trend towards natural and organic elements in design.
In lighting, this can be seen in product sustainability labels like Declare or Red List Free, or with products intentionally sourced from native materials like wood, bamboo, or wool.
2. Energy Efficiency
Incorporating energy-efficient lighting and appliances, as well as optimizing natural light and ventilation, is another key aspect. Energy-efficient designs not only reduce electricity bills but also lessen the carbon footprint of a space, in line with the trend of energy-conscious living.
3. Durability and Longevity
Sustainable design is built to last.
This counters the culture of disposable goods that has become so prevalent in our consumer-driven society. Furniture and fixtures are selected not just for their visual appeal which may or may not be “on trend” but for their longevity and durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements in favor of clean, enduring aesthetics.
The Menace of Planned Obsolescence
Planned obsolescence, a sinister strategy employed by many manufacturers to keep goods at low prices, is a significant challenge in the path to sustainable interior design. This is the intentional design of products with a limited lifespan, forcing consumers to replace them sooner rather than later. It's a practice that's detrimental to both the environment and our wallets.
How are we seeing planned obsolescence play out around us, you ask? These impacts may sneak under the wire but are very real burdens of our wasteful culture at large.
1. Waste Generation
When products are designed to break or become obsolete within a short timeframe, it leads to an alarming increase in waste. Discarded furniture, appliances, and decor end up in landfills, contributing to pollution and resource depletion, a stark contrast to the sustainable and eco-conscious design trends of our time.
Consider instead: reducing new purchases, reusing and recycling materials; purchasing furniture, lighting, and finish materials that are designed to last.
2. Environmental Impact
The production and disposal of these short-lived items come at a high environmental cost. The extraction of raw materials, energy consumption during manufacturing, and transportation all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, contradicting the eco-friendly ethos prevalent in contemporary design trends.
Consider instead: sourcing local materials, researching extraction and production practices, sourcing easily renewable resource materials.
3. Economic Burden
For consumers, planned obsolescence means constant spending on replacements. This can strain finances and discourage investments in quality, sustainable interior design, which is often more aligned with the timeless and enduring design trends.
Consider instead: creating value for your clients by designing with long-lasting materials, quality furniture, and efficient, flexible, and timeless lighting choices.
Embracing Circularity
To combat planned obsolescence and foster sustainable interior design, we must embrace the concept of circularity. Circular design promotes the reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of products and materials, extending their life cycle.
1. Reusing and Refurbishing
Old furniture can be repurposed or refurbished, breathing new life into them. This not only reduces waste but also adds character to a space through unique, upcycled pieces, reflecting the current trend towards personalized and eclectic design.
2. Recycling
Materials like glass, metal, and plastics can be recycled to create new interior design elements. This reduces the need for virgin resources and cuts down on energy consumption, in sync with the growing interest in eco-friendly and upcycled design materials.
Updating your lighting? Check to see if the previous manufacturer has a take back program before chucking legacy fixtures into the dumpster.
3. Designing for Disassembly
Circular design also involves creating products that are easy to disassemble and recycle at the end of their life cycle. This makes it more feasible to extract valuable materials and reduce waste, aligning with the circular economy principles that are increasingly popular in design trends.
Sustainability in interior design is not just a trend, but a necessity.
It's a response to the environmental challenges our planet faces and a commitment to creating beautiful, functional spaces without compromising our future.
To truly achieve sustainable interior design, we must challenge planned obsolescence, embrace circularity, and navigate design trends, ensuring that our homes and workspaces contribute to a more eco-conscious and responsible world.
We’re here to help!
Salt of Maine Design Co. is a woman-owned interior design firm based in Portland, Maine with an emphasis on biophilic design in both commercial and residential spaces. Janeen Arnold believes that any investments into ones interior environment shows a prioritization of one’s overall health and wellbeing - which is always worthwhile.
For more information about her portfolio & services, contact Janeen via her website or on Instagram at @saltofmaine.
Light + Form Studio offers lighting design services tailored to your specific project, to help you create a well-designed, visually appealing, functional space. Use the buttons below to learn more about who we are, our design services, or shoot us a message!
Light + Form Studio is a woman-owned, boutique lighting design and consulting studio serving the architects and designers of Greater Portland, Maine and beyond.
Follow us on Intagram @lightandform_studio!
