No matter where you are or what your style is, there are so many different materials that can come into play when decorating or even laying down the groundwork for your home. And when it comes to sustainability and exploring new options, there are just as many choices — many of which you may not even be familiar with yet!
If you want to dive a bit deeper into sustainability, there are quite a few recycled and sustainable materials that are trending right now in home design. Here are just a few for you to consider.
Concrete
Whether the concrete itself is recycled for decorative purposes or you’re simply turning to concrete as a renewable material because you’re using precast concrete, it’s a cheap, sustainable option that also looks fantastic in plenty of settings.
Concrete can work great for so many different purposes in interior design. From flooring indoors to outdoor fixtures, concrete offers neutral, clean lines that many people find appealing.
Cork
Moving in the more natural-looking direction, cork is an amazing choice for recycled materials that can work all over your home. Cork can be a bohemian foundation for all of your wildest design dreams, or a simpler, more natural choice for a more subtle design. Cork is also a very reasonable flooring option, especially when compared to more expensive woods.
Reclaimed Wood
If you have your heart set on wood, you can always go for reclaimed and recycled wood for your flooring, furniture, and decor! Technically, reclaimed wood is the most eco-friendly flooring option available, as the materials that go into making it may have otherwise gone to waste.
Even though it’s affordable and sustainable, it also happens to come with a distinct style that can bring a textured, dynamic look into any home.
Recycled Plastic
Just because you’re looking to recycle doesn’t mean you can’t use plastic ever again. In fact, there’s an entire market surrounding recycled plastic in interior design.
Although plastic polymers require more processing during their recycling process, this can still be a more sustainable option than buying it new. Especially when there is so much plastic that goes to waste every single year, recycling whatever plastic you need to use for a second life can be a great idea that saves the environment from a lot of waste.
Recycled Wool
Although wool isn’t a flooring material or a structural material, it can absolutely contribute to a comfortable and cozy interior decorating environment. Especially during winter months and chillier nights, having wool as a part of your living space can be comforting and nice.
While not all wool is recycled or reclaimed, you can certainly seek out specific wool materials and products that are sourced sustainably and ethically.
Bamboo
Looking back to the floors, bamboo flooring is a reasonable, durable, and stylish option for those interested in sustainable design. Not only is bamboo flooring sustainable, but the light wood and versatile finish options create a stylish, sophisticated aesthetic that many people are looking for when they begin to design their homes.
Bamboo flooring has become much more popular in recent years, due to its sustainability and its sophisticated style. This is the perfect flooring for those who are looking into wood but perhaps do not want to shell out the extra cost.
Reclaimed Windows
Although this one is a bit more on the creative side, reclaiming windows and using recycled glass can be a fantastic way to bring out the bohemian style of sustainability in your home. If you prefer a more natural or eclectic look, refurbishing old windows and using them as both a decorative choice and a structural one can be the best of both worlds.
Additionally, this can be a great way to save money on some of the more expensive components of a remodel.
Recycled Materials for Your Dream Home
No matter what kind of home you have or what kind of style you plan to explore, there are so many ways to keep your home sustainable! From reclaimed wood to reclaimed plastic, there seems to be no material that you can’t count on for a second life these days. Do you have a favorite sustainable material to use in home decor?
Author
Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated. Her work focuses on interior and architectural design and has been published by Build Magazine, the National Association of REALTORS and other online publications.