Eco-Friendly Design Ideas You Can Do Without Remodeling

By Kristin Hohenadel
Updated on 04/08/22
Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

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cottage and sea living room

COTTAGE + SEA

In an ideal world, every home would be built from sustainable materials and equipped with eco-friendly features such as solar panels, double-glazed windows, and energy efficient appliances.

But even if you lack the ability or the budget to make big changes to your house or rental apartment, the good news is that it’s possible to make any space a little greener by making thoughtful, more conscious choices about interior design and décor.

What is Sustainable Interior Design?

Eco-friendly or sustainable interior design consciously attempts to limit the impact of humanity on the natural environment. This can mean utilizing organic, non-toxic, and repurposed materials and finishes that improves air quality in the home.

Check out these 11 simple, expert interior design tips for making your home a little gentler on the planet. No remodeling required.

Meet the Expert

  • 01 of 11

    Choose Linen Sheets

    Eco friendly interior design ideas

    Judy Davidson / Getty Images 

    Made from zero waste flax fiber, a recyclable raw material, 100 percent pure linen is naturally thermoregulating, to make it comfortable in all seasons. “A material like linen gets softer over time, is surprisingly durable, and is naturally hypoallergenic,” says pillow designer Lauren Meichtry of Elsie Home. “So not only does it look beautiful and effortless, but also it's going to last you a long time. While the home decor industry can often be seen as wasteful, in terms of how quickly we move through trends and replace items in our home, using materials like linen is one way you can be more sustainable.”

    The 9 Best Linen Sheets of 2023
    Continue to 2 of 11 below.
  • 02 of 11

    Use Low or Zero VOC Paint

    spruce paint
    The Spruce

    VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in traditional paints contaminate the ocean and can have negative effects on indoor air quality that can impact human health. Interior designer Rebecca Hay of Rebecca Hay Designs suggests using sustainable paint. “Always check for VOC content on paint labels,” she says. “The lower the number, the better. Ingredients like vinyl resins, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals derived from oil, acrylics, formaldehyde, and ammonia can all contribute to health issues.”

    Continue to 3 of 11 below.
  • 03 of 11

    Decorate With Plants

    plants in the living room

    JC Designs / Instagram

    Plants make a room feel as good as it looks. Be sure to do your research about the best indoor plants that affect air quality in your home and which can be sourced sustainably.

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  • 04 of 11

    Dried and Preserved Flowers and Plants

    Eco friendly decor ideas

    Mihalis_a / Getty Images

    Dried flowers aren’t just for grannies anymore. A new generation of eco-conscious designers and home decorators who love their florals but hate the environmental impact associated with fresh cut flowers have made dried flora relevant again, from Pampas grass to preserved moss wall art and dried bouquets frozen in time under a glass cloche.

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  • 05 of 11

    Maximize Natural Light

    natural light

    design by Cathie Hong Interiors / photo by Margaret Ausin

    Maximizing natural light will create a sense of well being in your space while cutting down on energy consumption. One simple way to increase the amount of natural light in your space is by decorating with mirrors, ideally positioned opposite windows or on an adjacent wall to amplify natural light.

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  • 06 of 11

    LED Lighting

    Eco friendly interior design tips

    tapui / Getty Images

    One of the easiest fixes you can make to cut down on electricity use is to swap LED light bulbs when your stash of old energy-guzzling incandescents burns out. When purchasing new light fixtures, consider opting for a contemporary designer USB-powered LED lamp, or a portable update on a classic, like the cordless indoor-outdoor USB-powered 1968 Verner Panton Flowerpot lamp.

    The 9 Best Light Bulbs of 2023
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  • 07 of 11

    Window Dressing

    eco friendly design

    Sara Tramp-Ligorria / Emily Henderson Design

    Depending on your home and climate, interior or exterior shutters, solar shades, bamboo blinds, or light-blocking curtains can be drawn during the hottest times of the day to limit the use of air conditioning, then opened at nightfall along with your windows to let the fresh air in. Conversely, leaving your windows naked during winter helps warm the space naturally.

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  • 08 of 11

    Go Vintage

    eco friendly design ideas

    Sara Tramp-Ligorria / Emily Henderson Design

    “Opt for consignment stores or vintage markets for accessories,” says interior designer Hay. “There’s no carbon footprint, there’s no off-gassing (this has already happened) and these items will seem one of a kind in your home.”

    No Matter Your Style, Here Are the Best Places to Buy Vintage Decor Online
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  • 09 of 11

    Rattan, Wicker, Bamboo

    eco friendly design tips

    brizmaker / Getty Images

    Artisans around the world have long been making furniture and décor from natural materials like rattan, wicker, and bamboo. But these materials have been on trend in recent years as designers and home decorators look for ways to reduce the use of plastics and manmade materials in the home. Whether it’s a vintage wicker chair, a rattan headboard, or a woven lampshade made of bamboo, furniture and accessories made in natural fabrics add texture and never go out of style. 

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  • 10 of 11

    Organic Upholstery

    eco friendly design ideas

    Adrienne Bresnahan / Getty Images

    Interior designer Jennifer Jones of San Francisco-based Niche Interiors is an Ambassador for the Sustainable Furnishings Council and a Founding Member of the Good Future Design Alliance, a group of designers and builders committed to reducing their collective waste by 50 percent over five years. Niche Interiors likes to avoid mass produced furniture upholstered with petroleum-based flame retardants and work with local artisans to build custom upholstered pieces made from natural latex foam wrapped in organic wool. 

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  • 11 of 11

    Solid Wood

    eco friendly design tips

    Sara Tramp-Ligorria / Emily Henderson Design

    Jones of Niche Interiors also recommends using furniture constructed from solid wood like walnut, teak, oak, or maple. "Avoid furniture composed of MDF or particleboard, which is made from compressed shavings or sawdust held together by synthetic resins, binders and glues," Jones writes on her website. "One of the ingredients often found in these adhesives is formaldehyde," which the National Cancer Institute has flagged as being a health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends using "exterior-grade" pressed wood to limit exposure.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Volatile Organic Compounds’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality. United States Environmental Protection Agency.

  2. Formaldehyde. United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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