Interior Design Tips – Yes, Sustainability is a Thing

As mentioned in a previous post, Know Your Marketplace - Millennials Influencing Interior Design Trends, the influence of millennials is growing, in many ways shifting the focus and goals of the interior design industry. Of the many ways in which this demographic is influencing our market, sustainability may be the most important – and enduring – as it become ever more important to other age groups and market influencers.As explained by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), sustainable design encompasses more than simply “thinking green”. Sustainable design goes beyond being just efficient, attractive, on time and on budget. It is a design that cares about how such goals are achieved, about its effect on people and on the environment. An environmentally responsible professional makes a commitment to constantly try to find ways to diminish design's impact on the world around us. It is also a smart way of doing business: sustainable design is the fastest growing segment of our industry.Green Design PracticesRather, sustainable design reflects an all-inclusive approach to a designer’s professional responsibilities, by employing:

• Integrated building design developed by collaborative multi-disciplinary teams
• Indoor environments that support occupant well-being and productivity
• Resource and energy efficiency
• Social equity at local and global levels
• Protection of the natural environment
• Positive economic impact of optimized operational and maintenance practices, and life-cycle cost assessments

Whether the ultimate design goal is decoration, renovation or architectural detailing, all interior designers must stay abreast of current trends in the field.In the design industry, today’s fastest-growing segment is the incorporation of sustainable, or “green”, interior design. From the use of rain water collection to supplement waste water needs, to using sustainable materials such as bamboo, innovation is high when it comes to designing a sustainable space.ASID offers a series of reports on sustainable design practices, materials, and products. To learn more, click on the links below:

• The Sustainable Suite (PDF download)
• Interior Design and Global Impact Series (PDF downloads)
• Part 1 - Environmentally Preferable Coverings (453 KB)
• Part 2 - Environmentally Preferable Coverings (481 KB)
• Part 3 - Environmentally Preferable Coverings (342 KB)

Have you begun to see this trend? Is sustainability a thing in your marketplace? How have you responded?