Green Design Products for Interior Designers

Reclaimed wood shelves adorned with antique store finds exemplify green interior decor.


As with most marketing terms, “green” has no set definition. In interior design, the term indicates that a product is made of sustainably sourced natural or recycled materials, and the product is produced and installed utilizing minimal harsh chemicals and generating the lowest amount of emissions. Products include everything from bamboo flooring to the clay vase placed strategically on a mantel, and with more manufacturers working to create sustainable, environmentally friendly products, the options are extensive.

Small Carbon Footprint Flooring

Interior designers determine the sustainability of flooring by three main criteria: the specific material, the manufacturing process and the installation method. Green flooring products include bamboo, a sustainable wood-like grass; linoleum, made of sawdust and linseed oil; cork, constructed of tree bark; and natural fiber carpets, such as wool and jute. Sustainably grown traditional wood, preferably certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), works well if you're seeking true hardwood floors, yet reclaimed wood, such as repurposing barn siding, is the best choice. All of these products become less “green” when manufactured or installed using harsh chemicals and adhesives. A material labeled “low-VOC” or “zero-VOC,” whether it's the flooring or the products used to finish and install it, maintain its sustainable integrity.

Environmentally Friendly Wall Coverings

Zero-VOC paint covers walls quickly, inexpensively and without allergy-inducing fumes. Available in a wide array of colors and finishes, these products used to be relegated to nurseries, but their lack of strong chemicals makes them an ideal wall covering choice. Wallpaper, complete with harsh adhesives, is rarely the most sustainable choice. However, coverings made of natural fibers or recycled materials, and printed with water-based ink, add color and texture to a space without infusing it and the environment with harsh chemicals.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

Lighting plays an unparalleled role in interior design: A simple change in bulb color temperature quickly pushes cool gray paint to the realm of taupe. Compact fluorescent lamps, CFLs, available in increasing variations in temperature, save significant electricity and last up to 10 times longer than their predecessor, the incandescent. They still contain a small amount of mercury, and without proper recycling, they lose some of their “green” benefits. LEDs take energy savings even further, reducing consumption by up to 85 percent and lasting up to four times longer than a CFL. Significantly more efficient than CFLs, LED lights only shine in one direction, making them relatively useless outside of task lighting, and come in a limited range of color temperatures, limiting decorating options.

Green Textiles, Decor and Furniture

For all three categories, natural materials produced in a sustainable manner are favorite green interior design products. Wool, bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, linen and the like make for beautiful upholstery, window treatments, bedding and decorative pillows, provided the inks used to dye and pattern the textiles is sustainable as well. For decor and furniture, the most sustainable choices are refinished or repurposed items, as they prevent the need for a new piece to be sourced, designed, constructed and shipped, all of which cost financial and environmental resources. Designers often rework existing furniture, such as painting a dresser and replacing the knobs, to stay within budget and keep it earth-friendly. In the same manner, an armoire turned dry bar, a console table turned vanity or an old door transformed into a headboard all take an existing item and extend its lifetime. If you're buying new pieces, look for locally made furniture and decorative pieces constructed of natural resources that add your own distinctive touch yet are sustainable.

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