As environmental concerns are on the rise, people are starting to re-evaluate all areas of their lives. Whether it’s consuming less meat, buying eco-friendly clothing or taking public transports. Aside from adopting certain lifestyle changes in order to help the environment, there is another field in which you can exercise your environmentally-minded attitude on an equally large scale: in the interior design of your home or office. The options in eco-friendly materials are multiplying fast, in response to an increased demand in sustainable, renewable and recyclable materials.
- Bamboo
Bamboo is slowly becoming the choice of many eco-minded home and business owners. There are many reasons to this and among them, the bamboo fibre is a renewable natural resource. Bamboo stalks mature and are ready to be harvested as fast as three years.
Bamboo floors give an airy, clean look and they are an excellent choice when it comes to contemporary spaces especially in commercial interior design. What is more impressive, however, is the hardness of the planks. Bamboo floors are twice as hard as oak; therefore, they are less susceptible to scratching and denting. Floors are not the only way you can use bamboo. When condensed and glued together, bamboo panels can turn into extra-strong beams used in building homes.
- Natural plaster
Most wall surfaces of the building surrounding us are drywall covered by toxic paint. Some of these wall surfaces are fancier with sporting traditional plaster that’s textured for a rusty look. They’re custom, highly sought-after high-end finishes that add real interest and value to a building. The problem, from an environmental perspective, is that these plasters typically contain gypsum and manufacturing them produce a high carbon footprint. On top of that, some of the brighter pigments can contain volatile organic compounds.
A relatively new product has emerged to solve the biggest of plaster’s green issues. Natural plaster, or “Earth plaster,” does not contain gypsum and thus, allowing it to be manufactured at a lower temperature. This decreases the CO2 emissions as a by-product of the process. The most Earth-friendly, Earth plaster is unpigmented, going on in natural Earth tones and often textured for an organic look. If pigments are used, VOCs can still be a problem, so make sure you go with nontoxic colouring agents. Earth clay also comes in paint form, which is VOC-free.
Eco-friendly designs also make for good stories when you have guests over at your office. Entertain your guests with the various installations in your office while also spreading your passion for the environment. Afterall, nothing speaks better of your love for the environment than applying it to your very own office. Employees who share your cause will also be appreciative of your choice of design, while it helps them to perform better in an environment they love. Find a commercial interior design service to deliver you your dream home or office design today.