Carol-Anne Leyden - The interiors world is witnessing a shift towards more thoughtful purchasing of sustainable furniture. Below are some useful tips on how to go green with your home, simply and efficiently.

Consumers are becoming more aware of how they are shopping, and how the products they buy are potentially impacting the environment. Our purchasing habits are changing significantly, and this is not just relevant in furniture and interiors, it’s in all areas – clothing, skincare, and even in the way we shop for food. Over the last 12 months, we have all been spending much more time at home, so we have become more aware of our surroundings and how we live. This has become really evident when we talk with our customers at CA Design. They are much more aware of sustainability and are interested in understanding how they can incorporate greener practices into their home lives, as well as the spaces they are living in. Previously, consumers were much more concerned about price, whereas now they want to be educated about the product they are buying. They want to know how products are made, and where they are sourced from.

Materials to look out for

Choosing natural materials is a great way to transition to an eco-friendly interior. For example, opting for woods that have been sourced from sustainably farmed forests and purchasing textiles made with natural materials such as 100 per cent cotton, linen and wool are all great choices and an excellent place to start.

Furniture as an investment

One of the simplest ways to become more sustainable is to carefully consider what you buy, and invest in furniture built to last. Think about designs that will not fall apart after a few months, pieces that are strong, durable, well-built and well-crafted. We encourage the ethos of purchasing ‘quality over quantity’ as this promotes buying excellent, quality pieces that will last forever, thus making it a more sustainable way to shop.

Swap to LED lighting

Have you swapped your bulbs to energy saving LEDs? They are far more energy-efficient than incandescent or halogen bulbs, consuming up to 85 per cent less energy and lasting 20 times longer. They need replacing less frequently and help reduce electricity. Opting for LED lighting does not mean you have to compromise on style. There are so many amazing lighting brands available today, and you have so many choices – from wall hanging lights to ceiling pendants and floor lamps.

Eco-friendly paint

Conventional paints tend to contain a toxic mix of chemicals, solvents, formaldehydes, and high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are harmful to our health and release pollutants into the environment. You might have noticed when decorating how strong many paints smell; some are so pungent that you need to open the window just to avoid getting a headache from them. You will be hard-pressed to find completely natural paints; trace VOC levels are often a result of the manufacturing processes, and some synthetic chemicals are needed to keep the paint fresh and usable. Greener alternatives tend to be water-based and contain low to zero VOC content; they use natural binders such as clay and seed oils, and plant dyes and mineral and earth pigments to add colour and hue.

Buy less, buy better, shop local

When you get a little tired of your interiors (and who hasn’t over the last 12 months?), it is easy to find yourself scrolling and buying new additions to spruce things up again. However, doing this every couple of months becomes unsustainable very quickly. My advice is to buy good products that will work throughout your house: that way, when you want a change of scenery, you can swap things around from room to room and it will feel like a brand new space.

Sustainable brands

Over the last few years, we have been putting emphasis on bringing brands that are sustainably focused on our customers, from both mainland Europe and Ireland. Doing this has also expanded our range from a design and product perspective, from Belgian furniture brand Ethnicraft and Portuguese bedding label Amurelle to uniquely-designed furniture pieces from Rónán Hussey. In the coming months, we will continue to work with our clients, helping them to incorporate an eco-friendlier interior into their home and educating them on the sustainable brands we offer here at CA Design.