A slow, sustainable approach to decorating your home

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I recently shared a Story template put together by Allan of Bungalow 5, asking people to pledge to make more eco-conscious design decisions in 2019. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently – not only because I want to reduce my own impact on the planet, but also because I’m always advocating a more mindful approach to decorating in general. In fact, I really do think the two things go hand in hand: a carefully considered home that works for you and your lifestyle is likely to have a much lower environmental footprint than one which has been done in a hurry.

I actually spent a while debating whether or not to publish this post as other bloggers have already written fantastic pieces on the subject, but it’s such an important topic and I wanted to share my thoughts, too. So, here are a few tips on how to take a slower, more sustainable and less wasteful approach to interior design. They’re not about rushing to make major changes, or feeling guilty about the choices we might have made in the past; they’re about gradual steps we can take to shift our mindsets and create homes that are better for us and the planet. I’d love to know your views as well, so please do have a read and let me know what you think in the comment section at the bottom.

Take your time

It’s always worth living in your home for a while before making any major decorating decisions. You’ll get a feel for the light and how it changes throughout the day, as well as how you use the space. I know it’s tempting to rush into big projects, particularly if you’ve inherited decor that you really don’t like from previous occupants, but if you act on impulse you’ll risk spending time and money on something which you’ll come to regret and soon want to change. It’s a mistake I’ve made myself: I decorated our living and dining rooms within days of moving into our current house and ended up redoing both of them within a couple of years. I’ve now learnt from the experience and hope not to repeat it!

Be inspired by trends but not led by them

While it’s always worth keeping an eye on interior-design trends (you never know when they might provide useful ideas), I don’t think anyone should feel pressure to adhere to them. Think beyond what’s on trend right now, and if you love something, don’t change it just because a magazine or blog says it’s no longer ‘in’. A home should be an expression of you and your personality, not a reflection of someone else’s taste. And who has the time or money to keep up with ever-changing fashions anyway…?

Think beyond aesthetics

I’ve always believed that good interior design is as much about wellbeing as aesthetics – after all, decor can have a huge impact on our health and mood, and the way a space feels is just as important as the way it looks. I’ve shared tips on this area before and it’s something I’ll touch on again soon, but considering wellbeing as an inherent part of design rather than an afterthought will help you create a much happier, healthier and more sustainable home all round.

The London home of Louisa Grey, founder of interiors studio House of Grey, is a great example of design for wellbeing – see the full tour here. 

Invest in long-lasting design

Try to invest in high-quality, practical items that are built to last and can stay with you as life changes, rather than anything that will quickly date or fall apart. One of the reasons I’m so drawn to Scandinavian design is its timeless appeal and balance of form and function – in fact some of the most iconic pieces were created back in the 1950s or 60s and look just as good today. But whatever your tastes, it’s worth making an effort to buy less but buy better. Christina Thaisen, owner of interiors boutique NABO, put it brilliantly when I interviewed her for a home-tour post last year: “Things that are made to last may be a little pricier upfront, but they’re an investment in the long run. Whenever I buy anything new for the home, I ask myself if it’s something I would want to pass on to my children.”

Choose cheaper items carefully 

Of course we don’t always have the funds to invest a lot in design, and like most homes mine is furnished with a mix of high-street pieces and pricier items that I’ve saved up for. Cheaper bits and bobs are also a great way to make minor updates (I shared some of my favourites from the latest H&M Home collection on Friday), and brands such as IKEA are leading the way when it comes to sustainable yet affordable design. But even when the cost is low, don’t rush into buying items just for the sake of it, as you’ll only accumulate needless clutter. Whenever I’m trying to make a decision about whether or not to purchase something, I try to keep in mind the famous quote by William Morris: “Have nothing in your home which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

Our bathroom, which I’ve updated with affordable accessories until we can redo the whole thing. 

Select sustainable materials

Whether you’re spending a lot of money or very little, try to select sustainable materials such as bamboo, clay and cork. Make sure any wooden pieces use FSC-certified timber, look out for energy-efficient LED lighting and eco-friendly paint, and where possible buy textiles woven from natural fibres such as hemp, flax, organic cotton and wool, which have a far lower environmental impact than synthetic ones.

More and more recycled materials are beginning to appear on the market, too. IKEA, for example, now sells kitchen cupboards and chairs made from plastic bottles and recycled wood chips, while Mater Design, a Danish company founded entirely on ethical principles, has created furniture out of old car parts. It’s definitely worth doing a bit of research and making eco-friendly choices when you can.

Designed by Swedish studio From Us With Love, IKEA’s ‘ODGER’ chair is made from recycled plastic and wood chips. 

All the pieces crafted by Mater Design use sustainably sourced or recycled materials, including this stool, made from car parts. 

Repurpose, reuse or upcycle

So often nowadays we rush to replace tired, worn-out or superfluous items when they could easily be repaired or updated. It’s something I’ve been guilty of myself on numerous occasions, but I’m trying to make a conscious effort to change. Recently, for example, I gave our tatty but still-solid sofas a new lease of life with covers and legs from Bemz rather than replacing them entirely. And when I change accessories around to create fresh looks, I now store unused items in a box in the loft rather than getting rid of them, meaning I generate less waste and can easily rotate things in and out according to my mood and the season.

My updated sofas (read more here) and the sideboard in our hallway – one of the areas that I often restyle with accessories. 

Donate or swap unwanted items

When you do want to get rid of things, try to donate, give away or recycle them rather than sending them to landfill. Many charity shops run free collection services, and there are recycling centres all over the place for anything that’s not in good enough condition to be resold. I’ve also swapped unwanted items with friends, and I love the idea of holding a ‘swap party’ complete with drinks and nibbles!

My much-loved Lyngby Porcelain vase, acquired through a swap with a friend. 

A few useful resources…

• More This, Less That is a curated sourcebook of brands that are making a positive difference, covering everything from homeware to food
• Kate from Mad about the House has put together a useful list of places where you can donate unwanted furniture and accessories (UK only)
• Elle Decoration South Africa has a handy guide to choosing sustainable materials
• Online design magazine Dezeen has a whole section devoted to sustainability – a great place to discover new products and initiatives

Most photography by Abi Dare; image six by IKEA, and images seven and eight via Mater Design