Furniture and Accents for Today’s Eco-friendly Interior Design

Naturals Ambary Rug by Jaipur for Burke Decor – 50 percent wool, 50 percent hemp for Eco-friendly interior design

In your attempt to remain as environmentally friendly as possible in the process of building your restaurant or store, you may have started with using sustainable materials for your structural work or finishes. Once your space is ready to decorate, you can take your eco-friendly mission into furniture and accents territory.

Today, more and more companies offer ecological alternatives to accent materials such as carpet and textiles. If your heart is set on carpet, you don’t have to go the traditional route that comes with VOC pollution and the prospect of adding to the landfills. Instead, choose wool, which is not only a sustainable and biodegradable material, but has a natural feel that is very attractive to the modern eye.

You don’t even have to sacrifice the “carpet look” you like most. This carpet from Earth Weave gives you the same effect with only natural pigments and organic dyes.

Pyrenees carpet from Earth Weave

When it comes to sustainable materials, don’t forget the no-fuss, fast-growing hemp. Hemp requires less water than cotton, yet produces more fiber, while doing well without insecticides or fertilizers. This biodegradable and recyclable carpet by Jaipur can help you achieve an eclectic or rustic look in Eco-friendly interior design.

Naturals Ambary Rug by Jaipur for Burke Decor – 50 percent wool, 50 percent hemp

Another environmentally responsible choice is carpet manufactured by using reusable energy. In addition, when you are done with the carpet, companies like Philadelphia Commercial take it back and reuse it either in the manufacturing of other carpets or products, or as an alternative source of energy.

Rendered Bark Tile from Philadelphia Commercial

Carpet is not the only way you can take advantage of hemp’s many qualities. Upholstery, accent pillows, curtains, rugs – all have the additional benefit of being strong, durable, breathable, hypo-allergenic and naturally mold and mildew-resistant.

Photo: Hemp Cushion Cover from globalconduct.com.au via Pinterest

When it comes to eco-friendly furniture, choosing a sustainable material is fun. You can start by using locally sourced wood, then have a local designer custom build it and infuse it with lots of character. Here is a piece handmade by the Brooklyn-based minimalist designer and woodworker Kate Casey, using non-toxic wood and natural cotton cord.

© Peg Woodworking via treehugger.com

Wood is far from being the only eco-friendly furniture alternative. In fact, furniture is made today using the most unexpected materials. Take this swing, for example, made of recycled plastic milk jugs and part of a collection that takes you from recycled plastic benches to fire tables. This low-maintenance piece does not have any of the problems wood has (splitting, rotting, splintering etc.) and can face the cold winter months with no protection.

Photo via freedomoutdoorfurniture.com

Please take a look at our Before and After images of selected projects from 2018 HERE.

If you are thinking to open up a new business or in a process of rebranding and remodeling your existing business, contact us to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting. Click HERE to price your project design.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses