Breaking it Down: Sustainable Design
Sustainable design has been a hot topic for more than a decade, and for good reason. Many of us want to bring sustainability into our home projects, but figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. With so many buzzwords floating around - natural, organic, green, eco, nontoxic - it’s easy to get lost in the jargon. To simplify things, we’ve pulled together a few key strategies to keep in mind when designing with sustainability at the forefront.
design by brick + beam STUDIO | photo by todd vorenkamp
Choose Products Thoughtfully
· Look for renewable, recycled and biodegradable materials.
· Select products with a low environmental impact whenever possible.
· Seek out third-party certifications—like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or Fair Trade—to ensure materials are responsibly sourced.
· Opt for locally sourced products to cut down on transportation-related emissions.
· Give secondhand furniture a new life by incorporating it into your design.
Design with Longevity in Mind
· Invest in pieces that are built to last - items that can be repaired, updated, or repurposed rather than replaced.
· Consider the full lifecycle of a product. At the end of its use, can it be disassembled, recycled, or repurposed into something new?
Strive for Energy and Resource Efficiency
· Swap in low-energy fixtures, like LED lighting.
· Choose water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucets, to reduce overall consumption.
Prioritize Health and Wellbeing
· Select non-toxic materials to support better indoor air quality. For example, area rugs with the OKEO-Tex label ensure that harmful substances like VOCs, PFAS, and formaldehyde aren’t being introduced into your home.
· Incorporate greenery - plants not only beautify a space but also help purify the air and boost wellbeing.
PHOTO BY BRICK + BEAM STUDIO
By weaving these strategies into your home projects, sustainable design becomes much less daunting. You’ll be creating a healthier, more thoughtful space for yourself while also doing good for the planet—and we think that’s the very definition of a win-win.
At Brick + Beam Studio, we make it a priority to guide our clients toward sustainable design choices - whether that means sourcing eco-friendly materials, repurposing what’s already in your home, or selecting products designed to last.
If you’re interested in creating a space that feels beautiful, functional, and environmentally responsible, we’d love to partner with you to bring that vision to life. Feel free to contact us here or book a Discovery Call. We look forward to working with you!