7 Eco-Friendly Interior Design Tips for 2025

Practicing sustainable habits doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the design and coziness of your home. With a few sustainable tips and strategies, you can mindfully decorate your home and minimize environmental impact. Here are 7 eco-friendly design tips to help decorate your home this year!

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1. Thrift Where Available

Thrifting is an excellent way to give items a second life, and it’s the most sustainable option for decorating your home, as your purchase won’t produce any more energy in production, transportation, and consumption of resources. Plus, you’ll be able to hunt for unique furniture and decor pieces and likely find better quality items for a lower price than retail. So the next time you’re thinking about how to refresh your home design, or you’re even just looking for a new home item for practical reasons, don’t forget to peruse the local thrift stores in your area—you never know what you might find!

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2. Choose Eco-Friendly Brands

Supporting eco-friendly brands is a great way to make your home more sustainable while decorating your home. But what is an eco-friendly brand? These are companies that prioritize production practices and materials that are better for the environment. This can include companies that participate in slower, small-batch production to limit waste or those whose practices actively lessen their carbon footprint. Many companies have this information available for consumers online, so be sure to research before selecting brands to purchase furniture and home decor.

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3. Buy Eco-Friendly Fabrics and Materials

Some fabrics and materials used in home decor and furniture are better for the environment than others. Sustainable home decor and furniture materials include bamboo, clay, cork, natural stone, rattan, reclaimed wood, tatami, and recycled materials like aluminum, glass, and plastic. Natural fabrics like bamboo, cotton, hemp, linen, jute, silk, and wool are also better alternatives to synthetic fibers. These materials are either biodegradable, a renewable resource, or require minimal resources to produce. Additionally, some of these materials are even more efficient to maintain than others as they’re antimicrobial, durable, stain-resistant, or waterproof. While some companies prioritize using eco-friendly fabrics and materials, your average retailer may still have some quality, sustainable pieces too. So don’t forget to check the materials of all home decor and furniture, regardless of the retailer, before making a decision!

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4. Practice Caution When Purchasing Trendy Items 

Following interior design trends is a quick way to make unsustainable purchases for your home. Something that was trendy five years ago certainly doesn’t have the same longevity as timeless and neutral home decor and furniture. By pairing timeless styles and a neutral color palette, your home decor will outlive many interior design trends. While you don’t have to adhere to any trends, nobody wants to feel like their home is dated or boring, either!

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The key to navigating home decor trends is to find a balance and practice caution. Like all home decor, what is considered timeless is subjective after all; this means identifying what feels timeless to you is essential to navigating home decor trends. Identify what you love in interior design and follow your heart by incorporating elements you’ll enjoy for years to come. However, that doesn’t mean you must swear off all trendy items! Once you’ve identified your individual design style, you’ll be better prepared to select what trends and pops of color will have better longevity in your home.

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5. Repurpose and DIY Home Projects

Style is ever-evolving—but that doesn’t mean you need to buy something new every time you’re inspired to update your furniture and decor! DIY home projects are an eco-friendly way to refresh your home. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or wood stain for a nightstand, an updated fabric for upholstered furniture, or swapping the knobs or handles on your dresser, there are plenty of ways you can update your furniture and home decor without purchasing a whole new item entirely. If DIY projects aren’t your thing or you simply don’t have the time and resources to flip furniture, try searching for DIY services in your area to give your existing furniture an updated look!

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6. Support Local Businesses

Shopping local not only benefits your community financially, but it also lessens your carbon footprint. When you shop at small, local businesses, you get to support low-volume practices and cut down on the energy and resources needed to produce and transport an item. Plus, you can find some really unique furniture and home decor pieces, all while supporting your community—it’s a win-win for you, your community, and the environment!

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7. Change The Layout of Your Home

Sometimes, all it takes to refresh your space is simply moving your furniture and decor to different places in your home whenever you feel inspired. You may have bought that picture frame with one photo in mind, but maybe it’s time to swap it out! Or, maybe your living room side tables would be better suited as bedroom nightstands. Never underestimate the impact layout can have on your interior design. You may just realize you already have everything you need for a beautifully designed home—a new perspective is sometimes all we need!

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Decorating your home doesn’t have to impact the environment negatively. While changing our habits to live a more sustainable lifestyle may seem complicated, all it takes is spending a moment to be more mindful in our day-to-day lives. When selecting furniture and home decor, take a few extra minutes to peruse your options; you may just find something better and more eco-friendly than your first choice!

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A Better Living Experience

At Bridge Homes, we believe everyone deserves a quality home. With thousands of new or renovated home rentals in desirable neighborhoods across the United States, our dedicated team ensures each property adheres to our standards of quality, cleanliness, and safety. Explore our listings and take the first step towards a well-maintained and fulfilling living experience.

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Additional Sources:

11 Sustainable Materials for Interior Design in Your Home

The Environmental Impact of Choosing Sustainable Home Décor

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