How to Design a Sustainable Living Room

Having a sustainable home has become an important goal for many homeowners since more people are environmentally aware and thinking of ways to reduce their impact on our planet.

If you are an eco-conscious homeowner, you can turn any area of your home into a sustainable space by following just a few simple steps. 

The living room is typically the hub of a home – a room for everyday use and a place to relax in the evening, so incorporating sustainable living room furniture and making other eco-conscious choices is essential.

What Makes a Living Room Sustainable?

Below are ways in which you can create a sustainable living room.

Reclaimed Furniture

Make environmentally conscious choices when selecting furniture by opting for pieces crafted from sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, or recycled materials. 

Reclaimed wood has had a former life, i.e. in barns, as railway sleepers, or as part of other structures – it is then recycled and repurposed, bringing along its history and unique attributes. 

Investing in living room reclaimed furniture adds character to your space and helps diminish the demand for new wood. By doing so, you actively contribute to reducing deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions.

Remember to ensure the furniture is certified by reputable organisations, guaranteeing its origin from responsibly managed forests.

Extend your commitment to eco-friendly living by choosing textiles from organic and natural fibres like organic cotton, hemp, or linen. Steer clear of materials treated with harmful chemicals or flame retardants.

Sustainable Storage

Improve your home organisation with a chic sideboard that seamlessly blends style and functionality. Crafted from reclaimed wood with a rich history, these sideboards bring a touch of rustic charm and uniqueness to your living space.

The roots of sideboards trace back to 18th and 19th-century Europe, where they were initially associated with serving in dining rooms. From elaborate Victorian styles to simpler designs, sideboards have evolved into modern-day essentials, surpassing their original purpose.

In contemporary settings, sideboards have maintained popularity thanks to their versatile storage capabilities extending beyond dining areas. They now serve as practical storage solutions in various rooms, accommodating everything from dining essentials to multimedia equipment in living spaces.

At Hemming & Wills, we take this appeal a step further by offering sideboards crafted from reclaimed wood. Our reclaimed sideboards make a meaningful contribution to a greener planet and cultivate a more eco-friendly home. 

If you’re looking for other sustainable storage ideas, consider our reclaimed bookcases. Reclaimed wood is extremely durable, making it a great material for bookcases. Our bookcases are sturdy, enabling them to display many items besides books.

Energy-Saving Appliances

Investing in energy-saving appliances is a strategic move towards a more sustainable and cost-effective lifestyle. Specifically engineered to consume minimal energy, these appliances reduce electricity consumption and lower utility bills.

What sets energy-saving appliances apart is their incorporation of cutting-edge features. For example, smart sensors and load optimisation technologies are integrated to minimise energy waste, translating into tangible economic and environmental benefits.

Incorporating innovative technologies in these appliances represents a commitment to sustainable living, creating a harmonious balance between modern convenience and eco-conscious choices.

Eco-Friendly Paints

When considering eco-friendly paints for furniture, the focus is on minimising environmental impact in both manufacturing and usage. 

Opting for water-based paints proves to be a greener choice compared to solvent-based alternatives. These paints utilise water as a carrier, eliminating harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by traditional solvents. 

With lower VOC content, water-based paints improve indoor air quality and reduce environmental pollution, making them a preferred option for health-conscious users. 

For a natural and eco-friendly alternative, consider milk paint. Milk paint boasts a non-toxic composition and a rich history of use and is composed of milk protein (casein), lime, pigments, and other natural ingredients. Its biodegradability and absence of harmful fumes during application make it a safer and more sustainable choice. Renowned for providing a distinctive, antique-like finish, milk paint is often the preferred option for furniture restoration or projects aiming for a vintage aesthetic.

Shop with Small Businesses

Shopping with small businesses is an environmentally friendly choice for several reasons. 

Firstly, small businesses minimise their environmental impact by prioritising local or regional sourcing, which results in shorter supply chains. This deliberate strategy significantly reduces transportation distances for goods, leading to a notable decrease in carbon emissions associated with shipping and logistics. 

By supporting small businesses engaged in local sourcing, consumers actively contribute to a smaller overall carbon footprint, aligning their purchasing decisions with eco-conscious values.

Moreover, the agility inherent in small businesses allows them to be highly responsive to consumer demands. Many of these businesses strongly emphasise sustainability, incorporating ethical sourcing, environmentally friendly packaging, and waste reduction strategies into their operations.  

Hemming & Wills demonstrate that style and quality need not be compromised for sustainability, offering bespoke, sustainable, reclaimed furniture crafted in the UK. 

By selecting businesses like Hemming & Wills, consumers not only enhance their living spaces with stylish furniture but also actively participate in promoting sustainable commerce and responsible sourcing. 

Now you know some tips to help you create your sustainable lounge, helping you live responsibly yet in style.

Explore Hemming & Wills’ sustainable dining furniture collection to gain further inspiration for designing your own eco-friendly haven. Our reclaimed furniture is eco-friendly, functional, and elegant, making them ideal for any home.