We get it. You're keen to do your bit for the environment, but sometimes it's hard to know which way to turn. Is it possible to create a beautiful home AND be kind to the planet at the same time? The answer is a big fat 'Yes'. The key thing is to make the greener choices at every stage 🌱
When it comes to decorating your home, we've got your back with our range of sustainable, low-toxin paints. More than that, COAT Paints was founded on a mission to reduce environmental impact. We've now gone a step further and are proud to be the world's first climate positive paint company. This means we make a positive impact on the planet and make sound ethical decisions in every aspect of our business 🌎
As for furnishing your home in an environmentally-friendly way, the good news is that the interiors industry is finally coming up to speed with the need for sustainable, eco-friendly designs.
Want to know more? Read on to find out how you can create a stunning home inspired by the latest sustainable interiors trends 😇
CHOOSE PLANET-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
It may sound obvious, but a key part of choosing eco-friendly items for your home is knowing what they're made from. Think natural, sustainable materials that don't permanently impact the world's ecosystems when they are harvested.
@yas.wyatt.home should be your go-to account for natural materials and neutral interiors, looking lovely against Safe Play walls.
In terms of furniture, this means FSC-certified timber and sustainably sourced wood. Tikamoon's mid-century style, rosewood Metric Sideboard is a great choice, and we're also a little bit in love with Nkuku's Sahara Cane & Mango Wood Bed.
@thehomerebel is a big fan of including natural materials in her home, paired against Debate Club in her living room.
It's hard to beat recycled materials when it comes to limiting environmental impact, and Ruggable have come up trumps with a fantastic range of planet-friendly rugs. Our favourite is the Checkerboard Soft Black Re-Jute Rug. A classic pattern, each rug is made with up to 180 recycled plastic water bottles plus the Re-Jute Rugs are built-to-last and easy to clean so you'll never need to throw a rug away again ♻️
Making the right decisions about materials also applies to smaller accessories for the home such as candles. It's best to avoid conventional paraffin wax candles and instead opt for beeswax or soy. Our fave brand is without a doubt Neom, not only do they use sustainable and natural ingredients but they're B Corp too. Another tick in the eco box! ✅
BE CONSCIOUS WITH YOUR CONSUMPTION
You could argue that the best way to be kind to the environment is simply to buy less stuff. With that in mind, 'conscious consumption' is a growing trend in which consumers actively consider how their purchases might impact the planet and society as a whole.
This could mean that instead of buying inexpensive, flimsy furniture that might end up in landfill, you invest in a statement piece from a classic British brand such as G Plan, Ercol or our friends at Heal’s. Their designs are timeless and your sofa or chair is likely to last a lifetime. You could sum up this approach as 'Buy once, buy well', or 'Quality over quantity'. All the stuff your nan used to say, basically! 😂
Furniture brand Love Your Home has just launched their sustainable collection, created in collaboration with interiors journalist Kate Watson-Smyth. The frame of the elegantly curved Vita sofa is made from FSC-certified timber and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The innards are made from recycled chip foam and the velvet comes from 100% recycled plastic bottles. There is also the option of a washable, removal cotton cover so you can ring the changes with the seasons. The perfect way to future proof your purchase for many years to come.
EMBRACE VINTAGE PIECES & UPCYCLING
Taking a nod from the fashion industry, the trend for vintage interiors pieces is still going strong. Why buy new when you can pick up a beautiful, pre-loved item for your home? You can often nab a bargain and be kind to the planet in the process. It's a win-win 👏
Upcycling is also a hot topic. Breathe new life into a vintage find such a table or chest of drawers by painting it with a few coats of our hardy eggshell paint. No need to prime if the wood's in reasonable nick. Just give it a quick sand and off you go 👍
You can also create the look of a brand new kitchen simply by repainting your existing kitchen cabinets.
Give your cupboards a makeover with a lick of eggshell paint like @littlegreenshed has done with her Tobacconist kitchen.
With greens looking like big news for kitchens in 2023, our Deep Bronze Green Tobacconist would be perfect for a project like this. Or if you're looking for something more bold and bright, you could try our Deep Marine Blue, The Drink to really make a statement.
BRING THE OUTSIDE IN
Taking a green approach is all about protecting the natural world, so it's no wonder that nature-inspired interiors are still a big trend. Natural and sustainable materials such as wool, rattan and cork were everywhere at the design fairs this autumn.
You can introduce elements of nature into your home via pieces such as Graham & Green's Nova Can Rattan Chair or Matilda Goad's wonderfully textural Rattan Wave Pendant Shade.
Grab your Hardback sample, to get the look.
When it comes to colours inspired by nature, it's all about earthy tones such as muddy reds and greens. Our Dark Greige Hardback gives an instant hit of earthy character, and colours like Gumption and Sheldon, all of which give a nod to nature, helping to ground your home.
House plants also tie in perfectly with this natural theme, so welcome in those plant babies to add plenty of leafy interest 🌱 Check out our friends at The Stem for some great ideas for on-trend house plants delivered directly to your door.
MAKE YOUR MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACE WORK HARD 💪
This one might not be a trend, exactly, but with so many of us still WFH, our homes are having to work their little socks off to keep up. The key here is to keep things simple.
If your living room now has to double up as an office as well as a relaxation space, it's worth going for a streamlined aesthetic with distinct zones for working and chilling out. Think calming colours, clean lines and simple shapes. And, of course, the 'less is more' approach ties in oh so perfectly with our environmental angle. After all, what could be kinder to the planet than buying less stuff?
Read more about colour blocking to zone your WFH space here in our interview with COAT's new Colour Consultant, Aaron Markwell.
Calming greens like Darlington and neutrals like Pampas and Cargo are perfect for these spaces.
Darlington pictured in @oureastlondon's home, grab a sample.
Want to do your bit to save the planet? 🍃 Check out our range of low-toxin, eco-friendly paints, all made fresh to order to help reduce waste
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