6 simple ways to create a more sustainable home

One of the tenets of Scandinavian design that really appeals to me is the idea of creating a home that stands the test of time – curating a space with a connection to nature, using natural, honest materials that appeal to the senses, and considered, well-crafted objects built to last. I’ve always thought that instead of constantly buying into new trends we should invest in how a space feels to be in. But more and more I’ve been thinking about sustainability and being more mindful in my approach to home decor and design.

My favourite motto to live by is from William Morris – ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ To me, that means building a sustainable home in a slower, more considered way, evaluating what you really need and buying less, but better. Thinking about the home’s eco footprint as a whole, but paying attention to all the little details that together build up to make a bigger difference. I know I could do better; there’s been times when I’ve been seduced by a quick, easy fix or the latest thing. But it’s the pieces made with quality and craftsmanship that have stayed with me through different homes and changes in decor. Things like my classic Anglepoise lamp, an old, much-loved Ebay chair, a rustic wooden chopping board, a favourite handmade mug, for instance.

We’ve started to make a few, other little changes in our home – using less plastic, buying local, shopping at the farmers market, transitioning to a mainly plant-based diet. We have a way to go but small, simple steps are a start – you don’t need to feel guilty if you’re not the world’s best eco-warrior and aren’t doing everything perfectly. Every little helps.

So rather than tell you some of the more obvious ways to go greener – we all know to recycle more and use less water – here are six simple ways to create a more sustainable home, with a focus on decorating and design.

1. Choose eco-friendly paint
Creating a sustainable home starts with foundations – the very walls of your home. 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 you need to open the window just to avoid getting a headache.

You’ll 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. Small, independent, UK-based brand Earthborn was the first UK company to hold The EU Ecolabel for Indoor Paints and Varnishes. With over 72 colours to choose from, they create eco-friendly paints formulated without oils, acrylic and vinyl. Their hero product, Claypaint, is a clay-based emulsion that’s breathable, fast drying and has no nasty odours, while their Ecopro range is designed especially for the trade, offering an environmentally friendly, economical alternative to commercial and trade paints. Good to know: breathable paint is ideal for period properties as it allows moisture to easily flow through the surface, reducing condensation, mould and mildew.

Other brands which boast low to minimal VOC content paints include my favourites Farrow & Ball and Little Greene. Produced in Dorset, Farrow & Ball’s paints are water-based and low odour, while their wallpaper is handcrafted from paper from responsible sources. Manchester-based Little Greene’s oil based paints have been reformulated using sustainable vegetable oils and the pigments used to print their wallpaper are completely non-toxic. It’s not just about the paint though – 50% of Farrow & Ball’s packaging uses recycled materials and 95% of the waste they create producing their paints and papers is also recyclable. Little Greene’s paint tins are made using over 50% recycled steel and can be recycled again.

2. Invest in furniture built to last
You can use all the sustainable materials and FSC certified wood you like, but if you’re in a constant cycle of throwing away furniture and buying new, then that’s not all that green. The amount of flat pack furniture I see being discarded on the streets around me is sometimes staggering. One of the simplest ways to become more sustainable is to carefully consider what you buy and invest in furniture built to last – designs that won’t fall apart after a few months, pieces that are strong, durable, well-built and well-crafted. Now I want to know where the things I buy are made, how they are made and what from. I also want to know I’m supporting a company that are about the environment and the places where they source their materials.

Danish design company Skagerak, for example, who were part of Skandium’s Eco Townhouse during London Design Festival, craft long-lasting furniture and accessories with a modern, Nordic touch. Their products not only have a timeless expression that endures, they’re made to live on for generations because of how they’re crafted and the materials they use. They support responsible wood sourcing and forest management to ensure that no more trees are felled than the forest can reproduce.

Purchasing from a company that has good values also appeals. Rare for a design company, Skagerak are a certified B Corp – or benefit corporation – meaning their company meets the highest standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Currently there’s just over 2,000 B Corps from 50 countries working together. For Skagerak that means uniting in one goal and creating design under responsible conditions; not harming people or the planet.

They say: ‘For us to join B Corp, the goal is not to compete to be the best in the world – but to help each other becoming the best FOR the world. As a globally operating company, we have a great responsibility for today’s development – for good and for worse. That’s why we strive to keep the utmost quality in three aspects: design, production and our relation to people and the planet. We don’t think of sustainability and profit as contradictions. To us, these two concepts are each other’s most important prerequisites. And therefore, we embrace the idea of a triple bottom line, measuring our success not just on economic performance but also in relation to people and the planet.’

3. Use natural cleaning products or make your own
So once you’ve painted your walls and have your furniture in place, you’ll want to keep it all clean. Natural, often plant-based, cleaning products mean less chemicals, artificial fragrances and additives. The tend to be cruelty-free and you know they’ll be safe for all the family, and pets!

Recently I’ve been keenly following Sophie from A Considered Life on Instagram, she has some great tips for living simply and reducing waste, such as bulk buying eco cleaning products and ordering refills from Splosh. I’ve also seen that Hannah Bullivant makes her own surface cleaner with lemon peel – look under her ‘eco tips’ highlight in Stories – something that’s probably so easy to make but one thing you never think you can do or manage to get round to.

Tincture are a name to know about – they create natural cleaning and lifestyle products developed and manufactured in Norfolk, UK. They use 100% natural ingredients, including antimicrobial silver to ensure the formulations (and bottle) remain bacteria free, as well as natural and essential oils. Their beautiful bottles are recyclable and their packaging biodegradable. I haven’t tried them yet myself, but a quick read here on their website about research into the air in our homes and workplaces – on average 3-5 times more polluted than directly outside – and I don’t think you’ll look back.

4. Make the swap to sustainable LED lighting
I’ve written before about the benefits of switching over to LED lighting. LEDs are far more energy efficient than incandescent or halogen bulbs, consuming up to 85% less energy and lasting 20 times longer. From 1st September this year a ban has been put in place on importing and producing new halogen bulbs in the EU to help cut carbon emissions. LED bulbs need replacing less frequently and help reduce electricity bills – the Energy Saving Trust estimates that the typical halogen uses £11 of electricity a year, while a replacement LED would use only £2 worth.

Tala is a British lighting brand founded on the premise that ‘good design can help mitigate climate change’. Working from their London-based studio, they create sustainable LED lighting and are committed to researching new technologies, methods and materials that have less environmental impact. Going further, they also donate a percentage of their revenue to reforestation programmes in the UK and around the world  – for every 200 units sold, 10 trees are planted.

LED lighting doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style though; Tala have a range of statement lighting, sculptural pendants and decorative, hand-assembled components. Their recent Basalt collection, for instance, is inspired by the Giant’s Causeway and uses sandcast solid brass and mouth-blown glass.

5. Buy less, buy better – shop local and independent
Creating a sustainable home is about making more considered choices. While I still love going for a rummage in my local H&M Home to pick up basics and genuinely look forward to a trip to IKEA (!), I want to do my part as a consumer and buy better. 

I’ve been thinking about adding a few new cushions (in ochre and green!) to give a new look to the sofa, and I’d love to restyle the bedroom as it’s looking a bit tired, but I want to invest in quality, not cheap finds that might date. By Mölle is my new favourite – they create sustainable textiles and artisan-crafted, quality goods, made by hand from natural materials in their studio in Dalfsen, The Netherlands. From bespoke quilts and recycled denim throws to linen napkins and towels, everything is made to order. They also work with small run, independent artisans and designers to create limited edition designs, such as their Design out Waste scarf created with Annemieke Koster and made of recycled cotton. 

They say: ‘By Mölle was born out of a love to make a positive impact on the earth. We are a small, dedicated and fun-loving team and create home textiles made of natural materials for your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living. Carefully sourced, thoughtfully crafted and intended to last.’

Other independent companies on my radar are Aerende for ethical homewares created in the UK by people facing social challenges, Beaumont Organic for their ethical clothing and natural candles, The Acey for sustainable clothing and their local London manufacturing, and Austin Austin for their beautiful organic and vegan products in recycled bottles. For more inspiration, do check out More This Less That’s curated sourcebook of brands that are making a positive difference.

6. Reuse, recycle and buy secondhand
Lastly, look at what you already have in your home. What could you give a new look or facelift to, to save from buying more. I love curating a mix of old and new in my home, with unique pieces found in antique markets or on eBay, like my favourite armchair below. The seat was a little damaged when I bought it, but it was easily fixed and I could always reupholster it in a new fabric if I wanted a different look. Preloved pieces have so much character and history, helping create a home that tells a story and has meaning. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure after all.

Take things you don’t need to the charity shop, swap books and items with friends, take old towels and sheets to recycling banks, sell all those dusty old records or things you don’t use on eBay, upcycle old furniture and buy secondhand where you can. Charity shops are great for helping declutter as well as seeking out a bargain. The British Heart Foundation offer a free furniture collection and take all sorts of things, including mattresses (as long as they have a fire label attached). Sue Ryder’s online shop, supporting person-centred hospice and neurological care, has a mix of donated items and brand new, affordable homewares.

Do you have any tips of your own for creating a more sustainable home?