Top tips to furnish your home in a sustainable way

reclaimed wood dining table with rattan dining chairs

We are constantly hearing the term “sustainably sourced” or “sustainably produced”, but what does it actually mean and how can we ensure that the rustic furniture we put in our homes meet the sustainable criteria?

Anything that is described as “sustainable” is basically eco-friendly, for example, it has been sourced and produced in an environmentally friendly way. This will mean that the seller or the producer will have minimised any environmental impact before selling to the end-user. When items are described as sustainable you know that the way the item has been produced, the raw materials used and transportation have all been done in as friendly a way to the environment as possible. Rattan is a prime example of a sustainable raw material – it is a vine tree that grows fast, much faster than wood, it needs very little processing and at the end of its life, it is biodegradable. Other materials include reclaimed wood furniture and mango wood furniture. Let’s find out more….

reclaimed wood dining table with rattan dining chairs

Reclaimed wood furniture

We all know what reclaimed furniture is these days – the wood used to produce a reclaimed wood dining table, for instance, will have been salvaged and skillfully repurposed after already “living” one life as part of a building, boat or as a railway sleeper. This solid and strong old wood is full of character so it goes on to become a beautiful piece of furniture. If you are looking to invest in a new rustic dining table, choose considerately and opt for a reclaimed wood one.

white painted reclaimed wood dining table with wooden dining chairs

Mango wood furniture

Mango wood is the perfect wood from which to produce sustainable furniture. Mango wood is actually a by-product of mango farms, mango trees grow very quickly and once they grow too tall or too old to produce a full harvest they are felled and a new tree planted in its place – it’s at this point the wood can be sold to furniture manufacturers for a new life. Although it grows quickly, mango wood is a hardwood which means it can go on to be crafted into long-lasting quality furniture. 

mango wood dining table with grey velvet dining chairs

Investment pieces

A sofa is a prime example of a piece of furniture you invest in. You should only really need to buy a sofa every 5 to 10 years, the average age a sofa starts to sag and lose its comfort is considered to be around seven years. When it comes to buying a sofa, be it a fabric sofa or leather couch quality matters, buying a poor quality sofa will be a false economy, not to mention worse for the environment. To ensure it blends in with new decor schemes over time, pick a classic shape and refresh it with modern throws and cushions. A good sofa can also be re-covered or re-upholstered if it does need a revamp after time.

Reuse furniture

We are trying to stop furniture from being used for a short while and then being disposed of in landfill sites. If you are having a change around and reorganising your home then try to reuse furniture items in other parts of your home, garden shed or garage. An old wooden dining table can be used as a desk in a home office, old shelving can be used for storage in the garage, a wooden sideboard you once used in the living room can be moved to the dining room, a hallway or even a bedroom. If you really can’t use it then try to sell it or give it away – all these options are better than simply disposing of old furniture.

Easy ways to mix rustic and elegant interior styles like a pro

Easy ways to mix rustic and elegant styles like a pro blog

rustic living room with elegant cream upholstered armchairs and large sofa

If you love an elegant interior style, but have a fondness for the modern rustic look that is so popular right now, you’re not alone. Rustic furniture makes a space warm and homely, but it doesn’t have to be rough and ready. Reclaimed wood furniture in an elegant design or with sophisticated detailing can bring the two styles together. Here we explain how you can easily blend rustic and elegant interior design to create a home worthy of a glossy front cover.

Tip #1 – Make a statement

We think every room should have at least one focal point and if you are mixing rustic and elegant in the dining room the obvious choice is an eye-catching rustic dining table. This is a great foundation to build around and where you can add elegance via upholstered dining chairs for comfortable and stylish dining. A rustic console table or, for handy storage, a solid wood sideboard will give you an extra surface area to stand an elegant table lamp or a vase of flowers to further cement your blend of rustic and elegant.

Tip #2 Less is more

Less is certainly more when it comes to effortlessly blending rustic with elegant. Don’t be tempted to overcrowd your room with too much furniture or too many accessories, simplicity is key. Keep it uncomplicated with gentle neutral colours. White is a naturally easy colour to work with and provides the perfect backdrop for more elaborate and textured accessories. Consider pale reclaimed wood furniture or white painted rustic furniture as a perfect starting point for your elegant theme.

Tip #3 Use rustic accents

You don’t have to rush out and buy new furniture to achieve this look – you can upcycle and repurpose pieces you already have and just buy one or even two new statement investment pieces that bring in a rustic feel. Reclaimed wood furniture is skilfully crafted from solid wood and with so many different styles and finishes available to choose from you are sure to be able to find just the right piece that will add a statement in your home for many years to come. Pick one accent piece per room, such as a reclaimed wood coffee table or a wonderfully natural rustic bed and keep the rest of the scheme paired-back and elegant.

Tip #4 Combine and contrast

The say opposites attract and we have to agree. Combining contrasting textures is an effortless way to mix rustic and elegant styles. Reclaimed wood rich in character, natural undulations, grooves and splits paired with polished metals in silver or gold bring together opposing materials that work together so well. Good examples of this are the Onslow and the Farnham mango wood furniture collection. The Onslow reclaimed wood furniture collection never fails to make a statement whichever room it is in.

luxe kensington reclaimed wood dining table with blue kitchen units

The sustainable mango wood Farnham collection combines natural wood with interesting brass inlays as well as brass metal hardware. The combination of wood, metal and a contemporary design ensures this stylish collection will add a touch of glamour to a room.

large mango wood sideboard with brass hexagonal inlays

If you found this helpful, pop over to our Ideas and Inspiration for plenty more styling tips, product news and interior insights.

How to pair rustic furniture with Pantone Colour of the Year 2022

How to pair rustic furniture with Pantone Colour of the Year 2022
reclaimed wood bed with pantone colour of the year 2022

We love keeping an eye out for all the latest interior design trends so we can make plenty of suggestions on how to pair your reclaimed wood furniture with the what’s trending. Very Peri was announced as the colour of the year by colour aficionados, Pantone, recently and we think this is definitely one that will combine beautifully with rustic furniture. With its violet hue of blue and red undertones, this optimistic colour will blend beautifully with rustic, reclaimed wood and sustainable furniture.

Here we look at our top furniture picks to pair with this spirited and joyous colour to boldly bring your home right into 2022.

Rustic furniture to pair with Pantone Colour of the Year 2022 – Very Peri

The Standford Industrial Furniture collection

reclaimed wood bed with cutout of reclaimed wood dining table and round dining table with paint splash overlay

We love how the spritely hues of Very Peri bring out the very best features of the natural wood used to craft this reclaimed furniture range. The wood used is salvaged from old buildings that are often over 100 years old. Not only does the Standford collection feature beautiful, full of character salvaged wood but it features a distinct industrial element too, with black steel legs, which will accentuate a wall painted in a Very Peri hue.

Style tip: why not use Very Peri in the hallway with a Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Console table for a warm and vibrant welcome every time you walk through the door.

The Chelwood Reclaimed Wood collection

reclaimed wood console table with cutouts of rustic dining table and rustic coffee table with paint splash overlay

This Scandi inspired pale Chelwood reclaimed wood furniture collection would look amazing framed by Very Peri. The lilacy colour has hues of blue…. a colour that always looks fantastic with pale wood. Add to this the timeless style and wonderful natural features and undulations of the repurposed wood. With such a clean colour scheme you can bring a further accent colour into the mix – like a rich dark blue.

Style tip: bring Very Peri into your living room with a rustic coffee table and brown leather sofa styled with dark blue scatter cushions, lampshades and wall art. Of course, if you want to keep your scheme more neutral and airy then opt for creams and whites.

The Beam Handcrafted Reclaimed Wood collection

reclaimed wood bed with wooden sideboard and rustic dining table with paint splash overlay

If you love classic farmhouse style then the Beam Reclaimed Wood range is for you. This handcrafted, made to order collection includes stunning bedroom, living room and dining room furniture. We think Veri Peri, with its blue hue, is the perfect, tranquil colour for a feature wall in the bedroom, a wonderful surround for a feature king size wood headboard as found on the Beam Windsor Reclaimed Wood Bed. The beauty of the Beam collection is that it comes in a choice of sizes and wax finishes, meaning you can choose a look that suits your style. This allows you to set the mood in your bedroom – use the natural finish for a light and airy feel and go for a dark finish for a more cosy feel.

Style tip: To complete your Very Peri bedroom ensemble, team the bed with a rustic bedside table each side and a solid wood chest of drawers for bedroom storage.

If you liked this, check out our home interior trends for 2022 and discover why textured furniture is a trend alert this year.

5 of the best unique coffee tables for a modern rustic style

5 of the best unique coffee tables for a modern rustic style

Without a doubt, a coffee table is one of the most important furniture pieces in your living room. It’s usually the centrepiece of your sitting area, so although coffee tables generally aren’t as big a purchase as a sofa, they can be as important by helping to centre and liven up the room – not to mention provide an opportunity to introduce some of your personality and style into the room.

We love a unique rustic coffee table for adding a style statement to a living room. It brings an instant warmth and individuality to a room no matter if the overlook look is contemporary or classic. Let’s dive right in and take a look at our edit of 5 of the best unique coffee tables for a modern rustic style.

5 of the most unique rustic coffee tables

1. Oasis Coffee Table

This gorgeous wood coffee table is a surefire way to make a dramatic impact in your living room. The table top is crafted from rustic wood that has been sand blasted clean to showcase the natural beauty, grains, shakes and splits of the wood, whilst the highly polished steel crossed leg adds a wonderful contrast. A beautiful blend of modern and rustic all wrapped up in one statement piece of living room furniture.

2. Cadagan Glass Coffee Table

If you want some pops of glamorous gold in your sitting space then you should seriously consider this industrial coffee table. Beautiful in black set in an on-trend parquet design, this large square coffee table sits on glitzy gold industrial style legs. With the right centrepiece sat atop this table you have everything you need to create the perfect unique feature piece in your living room.

3. Eastwood Rustic Oak Coffee Table

An environmentally conscious purchase doesn’t have to be overly rustic or reclaimed. Whilst reclaimed wood furniture is a great eco-choice, other sustainable options include woods such as mango wood furniture. Mango wood features a rich honey colour and although it is a hardwood, it’s malleable and easy to work with. The Eastwood Rustic Oak Coffee Table is a perfect demonstration of how unusual and eye-catching sustainable furniture can look.

4. Serenity Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

An ideal choice in a smaller living room, the rustic wood and curves present an attractive piece of industrial style furniture for your living space.

5. Derby Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

The Derby reclaimed wood furniture collection is a timeless classic with each piece being authentically unique and one-of-a-kind.

Which one is your favourite? Now that’s you’ve picked your unique wooden coffee table for your modern rustic living space, read our style tips to transform a coffee table into an Insta-worthy centrepiece.

5 ways to get better at decluttering

green velvet armchair with clothes on top for 5 ways to get better at decluttering

Less mess wooden cubes

No matter how organised we are, most of us have lots of items in our home that should no longer be there. As we start a new year it’s the perfect time to have a clear-out and start the year with a clean slate. To help you get started we have 5 ideas to help you get better at decluttering.

1. Become a wardrobe warrior

Every person that lives in your home most likely has a wardrobe that could do with a declutter. There could be two, four or more people in your home hoarding a whole load of clothes, most likely crammed into a wardrobe that are no longer worn – in a typical household that will add up to a fair-sized clothes mountain. If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful rustic wardrobe in your bedroom you want it look as good on the inside as it does when the doors are shut. Take everything out of your wardrobe and put it in a pile – you should justify why a garment deserves its place in your lovely wooden wardrobe, if something doesn’t fit well or you haven’t worn it for some time then it should not be taking up space. Be honest, be brutal and be more Marie Kondo and only hold on to those items of clothing that bring you joy.

white wardrobe for 5 ways to get better at decluttering blog

2. A better way to fold clothes

Do you have a clothes folding technique? I am sure most of us think we know how to fold clothes, but we tend to fold them flat one on top of the other – when you think about it, for many items this really doesn’t make sense at all. We all know how irritating it is in a shop when you have to rifle through a pile of folded tops or jeans to find the right size, so why do that at home? A large solid wood chest of drawers is the perfect storage, but rather than lay items flat add some partitions and roll clothes so you can easily identify what you are looking from as soon as you open the drawer.

clothes neatly folded in chest of drawers for 5 ways to get better at decluttering blog

3. Clear out by category

A mistake many of us make is to declutter room by room but another way to approach it is to declutter by category. So one day books, another DVD’s, then shoes the next day or bedding and towels etc. The idea behind this is that you avoid simply moving items from room to room and not really decluttering at all.

4. No nostalgia

We know it sounds dehumanising, but when it comes to clutter, it works best not to get distracted. As you are working your way through your home you will come across photos, letters and even clothes that bring back memories – this does not mean you have to keep every item. Yes, there are things that are treasured possessions, but again they should be organised and in the right place out of the way but easy to find when you want a wander down memory lane.

5. Purposeful furniture

To make the most of storage ensure the furniture pieces you invest in are suitable for what they need to store. When is comes to storing non seasonal clothes a wooden blanket box in the bedroom is ideal to provide plenty of room to store clothes you don’t need until the next season. If your rustic wardrobe has plenty of space to store out-of-season clothes, a wooden chest at the end of the bed is also useful for storing summer duvets, quilts or blankets, ready to grab when there’s a particularly cold snap.

reclaimed wood console table

In the hallway, a rustic console table creates a warm welcome and is also a perfect storage spot for those items you need to grab as you leave the house. A hall table with drawers is best if you want a paired-back, minimal entrance.

What decluttering tips do you have? We’d love to hear what you’re doing in your homes right now to get it fresh and organised for the new year – leave a comment below and share your ideas.

9 of our Best Extendable Dining Tables

Rustic style dining room with a reclaimed wooden trestle table

If after the festive period you feel like you could have done with a bigger dining table then maybe it’s time to invest in an extendable dining room table. If you love to entertain then a wooden extendable dining table really is one of the most important pieces of furniture you can have in your dining space. It offers you the best of all worlds – a dining table that is just the right size for day-to-day mealtimes and life, but one that can be easily extended when you’re having a gathering of friends or family. We’ve put together a list of our top 10 best extendable dining tables for you to decide from..

1. Derby Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

reclaimed wood dining table with black painted legs

Contemporary, industrial, rustic and Nordic, this stunning 100% FSC-certified reclaimed dining table will add style and charm to any dining space. We love everything about this industrial style dining table, from the rustic wood full of history, natural markings and rustic imperfections to the contrasting sleek wooden black painted legs. The pale finish to the wood gives this rustic dining table a fresh feel that would fit with either modern furniture, rustic furniture or industrial furniture. Perfect for adding a statement in your dining space, the wooden extendable dining table extends to 220cm long via a butterfly extension leaf stored under the table, providing ample seating for larger dinner parties and gatherings. A wonderful example of how reclaimed wood furniture can be chic and modern. Pair with an dining bench or a dining chair set with metal legs for a cohesive rustic industrial look in your dining space.

2. Standford Reclaimed Wood extendable dining table

The perfect industrial dining table for those born to entertain. Its smooth butterfly extending mechanism is cleverly concealed within the tabletop, making it a breeze to open up, whilst the rugged reclaimed wood and black metal frame make a chic and functional statement in any dining space.

3. Skyline Reclaimed Wood Extending Round Dining Table

This Skyline Extending Round Dining Table offers versatility and elegance. Its circular design is perfect for intimate meals, and when extended, it comfortably accommodates additional guests. The reclaimed wood top and sturdy base provide a durable, stylish surface for any occasion.

With stylish dining chairs, you can be ready to entertain at the drop of a hat!

4. Branford Oak Extending Dining Table

This minimalist solid oak dining table, the Branford Oak Extending Dining Table is crafted from the finest solid oak and oak veneers, creating the ultimate contemporary aesthetic that embodies the essence of Nordic interior design. The perfect addition to any dining space, this oak table combines a modern design with functionality. Featuring clean lines, smooth curved corners and tapered legs, the simple shape of this modern extendable dining table is both modern and timeless, whilst the natural hues in the oak wood have a pale palette that is typical of the Nordic style. This goes perfectly with our Faux leather dining chairs

5. Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Bring a contemporary rustic mood to your dining space with this stylish reclaimed soho dining table with distressed dark stained legs. The Soho Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table is a wonderful mix of old and new. By marrying a character-rich reclaimed wood top with simple modern lines and contrasting tones, this wooden extendable dining table is a rustic classic that will never lose its style. Available in two sizes with the extension handily concealed within the table top and operated by a simple butterfly mechanism, this soho dining table is perfect for both small and spacious dining spaces. Pair with other pieces of reclaimed wood furniture from the Soho collection for a charming modern rustic scheme. 

6. Madeline Extending Dining Table

Designed to offer a ‘new traditional’ look with its timeless elegant style with a modern touch, this stunning Madeline Extending Dining Table will add a sophisticated look to a room. The exquisite dark salvaged coffee coloured Mindy wood veneers and marquetry are complemented by the solid Mindy wood turned spindle legs. For added practicality the table features butterfly center leaves, so it can be extended to seat up to 10 people.

7. Kendrick Extending Dining Table

Designed to offer a ‘new traditional’ look with its timeless elegant style with a modern touch, this stunning Kendrick Extending Dining Table will add a sophisticated look to a room. The beautiful marquetry in a stunning rich tonal mid brown Mindy wood solids & veneers features inlaid book-matched details for an elegantly refined look. For added practicality the table has butterfly center leaves, so it can be extended to seat up to 10 people.

8. Worcester extendable dining table

This is the reclaimed wood dining table you are looking for if you love to fill your home with the light and minimalist vibe of Scandi design with a rustic twist. Perfect for smaller spaces and homes, the extension leaf is concealed inside the table meaning all you need are some classic modern dining chairs to complete the look.

9. Branford Round Extending Dining Table – Oak

Made from the finest solid oak in a washed finish for practicality and functionality. This Branford Round Extending Dining Table features an easy to use butterfly mechanism and tapered legs. This table cleverly extends from 110cm to 165cm comfortably seating 6 people.

Which would be your choice? For more of our extending dining tables see our collection of reclaimed wood, rustic and industrial wooden dining tables with extending options.

If you like what you’re reading and want to read more see our blog journal for product news and interior ideas and inspiration.

5 Ways to give your home a New Year’s detox

white sofa against blue wall for 5 ways to give your home a new year's detox blog

We all make a renewed effort to look after our health and wellbeing in January, watching calories and alcohol intake, maybe joining a gym as we detox our bodies after the enjoyable excesses of Christmas. But shouldn’t we also detox our safe haven, our home? As well as focusing on ourselves, we like to focus on detoxing our homes for the new year. Here, we share four ideas of what you can do in the home to give it a refresh…

1. Physical clutter

We all know that having a cluttered home is not good for our wellbeing so it really is worth trying to keep it clutter-free. Even if you can’t do this on a daily basis (we all know life gets in the way of best intentions), then have an hour one evening during the week or over the weekend to clear around and put things away in their correct places. While you’re at it donate or recycle things that aren’t bringing you joy anymore and keep things that uplift you and make you feel good. Tidying expert, Marie Kondo advocates just this. She created the KonMari™ Method that offers easy but effective ways to help you avoid relapsing into clutter-ville. As well as her infamous folding techniques,the method uses a unique selection process of choosing to keep what sparks joy, which means you are not selecting what to discard but rather choosing to hold onto items that speak to your heart.

clothes folded in checked basket for 5 ways to give your home a new year's detox blog

For most of us the place we tend to sit down to relax is in the living room, so when it comes to the home concentrate your efforts here. Create a sanctuary to recharge your batteries – the possessions you keep should only be what you need and what makes you happy.

2. Visual clutter

Some things need to be on show so we know where to find them and have easy access to them, but this needs to be balanced. If you have your books and favourite decorative items displayed on reclaimed wood shelving then make sure it is not overly cluttered. Stand back and look at it from further away – if it looks too busy you can take some items and put them away in a wooden sideboard and add some houseplants instead to make the display more visually appealing. The same principle applies to magazines on your rustic coffee table. Rather than stacking months worth of your favourite titles on the surface, stick to the latest three months and either store the rest in a drawer or recycle them if you’re never going to pick them up again.

reclaimed wood bookcase with metal cross back

3. Stay focused

As human’s we like to gather and so creating a central focal point in the room naturally relaxes us. In the dining area, this could be a show-stopping rustic dining table around which you can spend quality time with family and friends. Pair this with a reclaimed wood sideboard – very important to keep the dining room essentials neatly tucked away when not in use. The most obvious focus point in the living room is the coffee table so make it count. As we are talking about keeping the house (and mind) clear and decluttered, opt for a statement-making mango wood coffee table with storage.

mango wood coffee table with brass inlays

4. Be bold

If you want to create a more dramatic refresh to a room, as well as keeping clutter at bay, introduce a bold colour into the space. Pick out features, such as a chimney breast or some decorative wall cladding to accentuate using a vibrant colour. This will give the room some wonderful personality and individuality without overfilling the space with ‘stuff’. Choose reclaimed wood furniture as this stands out wonderfully against a striking bold backdrop.

5. Let in the fresh air

The quickest and most simplest way to breathe new life into a home is to open the windows and doors and get rid of the stuffy air and toxins. We know it’s cold out there, but grab an extra jumper and let the fresh air in!

woman at large open window for 5 ways to give you home a new year's detox

Discover why textured furniture is a popular interior trend for 2022

why textured furniture is an interior trend for 2022

top of mango wood dining table with diamond pattern

Our attention at this time of year turns to what changes we would like to make in the home and what interior design trends 2021 will continue to be popular. As well as sustainable furniture and reclaimed wood furniture, we have identified another hot new trend emerging in 2022 – textured furniture.

Interesting textures have been increasingly incorporated into interior design in the last few years in the guise of fluted glass panes, tiles with a twist and three-dimensional wallpaper and now furniture is jumping on the tactile trend.

Drawers, wooden wardrobes, rustic sideboards and desks are offering an alternative to flat fronts and level tops with something a little more decorative and textured. Slats, grooves, pattern and wonderfully rustic surfaces can be seen on all types of furniture and storage from a textured sideboard and rustic coffee table to wooden chest of drawers. From furniture to floors and even up the walls, texture is set to be an interior’s friend this year.

For natural texture, reclaimed wood furniture is oozing with tactility and ideal for this emerging trend. The visible individual features of each piece is unique and can be as rustic or modern as you like. Discover more here…

reclaimed wood dining table with close up of rustic wood

Natural rustic texture

The Kensington Reclaimed Wood collection never fails to make an impression – this collection really is all about texture! Salvaged wood with highly visible grains, grooves and evidence of its past use is been paired with modern shiny silver industrial legs to create the most glamorous furniture. A sublime mix of warm rustic wood and industrial metal, nowhere is this more apparent than on the statement-making industrial dining table from the collection.

wooden highboard with brass inlays and mango wood sideboard with diamond pattern

Glamorous golden texture

The grain and rich honey colour of mango wood already make it beautiful, even before it has been crafted into furniture but when it comes to the Farnham and Canford sustainable mango wood furniture collections it has been transformed into stunning textured sensation. The Farnham features glitzy brass inlays and a textured design which will definitely draw attention in a room. The Canford has a more retro feel showcasing striking patterning skillfully crafted to create texture over all the pieces in the range.

reclaimed wood sideboard with round metal handle

Modern natural texture

The Glasgow reclaimed rustic sideboard is expertly crafted from solid reclaimed elm. This is one of our top picks when it comes to texture with the solid salvaged wood arranged in a stunning sun ray mosaic design. The wooden sideboard is supported by metal industrial legs with the rustic metal door handles providing an additional attractive finish.

As well as texture, a home that is eco-friendly continues to have a strong influence on interior trends. Discover how to create a stunning home that is good for the planet as well as to look at here.

Top tips to create an eco-friendly interior design

Top tips to create an eco-friendly interior design

modern living room with wooden tv stand and large green plant

Many of us will have welcomed the new year with a reassessment of our impact on the planet. The pandemic and pressing climate change focus has encouraged us to look at our homes and interior design from a different perspective. If you’re planning any renovation projects this year, take a quick look at our tips on ways you can create an eco-friendly home and space that benefits your life and the environment.

Reuse what you can

Now that we are all so much more aware of the climate issues, we are looking at our living spaces and looking for ways to live more sustainably. One easy change to making your home more eco-friendly is to avoid throwing old furniture pieces out when you can give it a stamp of individuality and a new lease of life by upcycling. That old rustic wardrobe can be brightly painted and used in a child’s bedroom or even in the garage for storage! Reusing and repurposing what you can, when you can will help create less waste and energy. If you want to buy new items, invest in good quality pieces that will last or look for reclaimed wood furniture, such as a reclaimed dining table, that has been crafted from wood previously used for other purposes.

energy efficiency table for top tips to create an eco-friendly interior design

Be energy efficient

Talking of less energy, if you are replacing your fridge freezer, oven or washer/dryer in the January sales, then pay special attention to its energy consumption. Yes, the more energy-efficient appliances do cost a little more upfront but with energy prices showing no signs of decreasing anytime soon, you will get this money back many times over in ongoing usage costs, not to mention the wider benefit to the environment.

green plants surrounding wooden trestle table for top tips of how to create an eco-friendly interior design blog

Introduce plenty of greenery

Leave some space in your renovation plans for plants and greenery. During the lockdowns we all realised how much we need to connect with nature so make sure you can bring a little (or a lot) of it into your homes where you can. Plants are good for your mental wellbeing as well as simply looking good in the room. Do some research and pick easy to care for varieties to start with. Industrial wall shelves can be softened by displaying some greenery on them, you can put a house plant on an industrial sideboard in your dining room or on a rustic console table in the hallway to bring a sense of the outdoors into the home.

mango wood coffee table with dark brown leather sofa

Natural materials

Think about filling your room with natural materials – a rug made out of jute, a stone floor or a leather couch – look out for the words eco and sustainable when shopping around for accessories or furniture. Mango wood furniture is completely sustainable; it’s a solid hardwood that is easy to work with and has a lovely rich honey colour and features stunning wood grain patterning. Find out more about mango wood and why its the sustainable furniture of choice here.

Get smart

Try to use smart technology where possible to help you run your home in a more eco-efficient way as well as save you money on your household bills. Things like intuitive heating systems, smart strips and power adaptors which stop electricity travelling to idle appliances or chargers, automated lighting and smart irrigating systems for the garden.

If this has inspired you to make some eco-friendly changes in your home see our other blogs for more tips and ideas…

Create an interior that’s good for you and the planet

3 reasons why reclaimed wood is the eco-friendly choice

Simple ways to reduce plastic in the home