Over the years, interior design trends are finally seeing the emergence of green
homes. Homes that are eco-friendly, saving the world, one brick at a time is the need
of the hour.

Reduce Energy consumption and wastage

1. Changing all old electrical wiring to good quality copper cabling along with proper planning of electrical layout can considerably reduce the load on the grid.
2. Replacing all old power consuming lights and fittings with energy saving LED. Use of dimmers where possible.
3. Purchase energy efficient and Star-rated equipments. Power guzzling equipments like Air conditioners, Refrigerators, Washing machines should be of INVERTER technology which saves lots of units of power. Initial investment may be a bit higher than older tech items but the new tech surely saves a lot of power units in the long run. Fans with BLDC technology are very effective in saving energy especially since they are used for longer time period of time in the day and through the night. Water heaters using LPG gas are also good alternatives in saving electricity.
4. Reduce power consumption by having large windows to ensure maximum availability of daylight.
5. By selecting thick sunlight blocking day curtains, using false-ceilings one can make the room maintain cooler temperatures in summer and also reduce air-conditioner usage.
6. Regular servicing, repair and maintenance of high power-consuming appliances like air-conditioners, geysers, heaters and refrigerators reduces power consumption.
7. Selecting natural stones for flooring like Marble, Slate stones like – Kota, Shahabad etc. keeps rooms naturally cooler.
8. Windows can be changed to double glazed with suitable dark tint or heat reflective films to maintain cooler home temperature.

Save Water

1. Repair leaky water faucets.
2. Compulsorily select WC flush tanks with dual flush mode.
3. Make provision to optionally use Water Pressure Booster while doing up your plumbing. Pressure pumps that are used especially in all new high-rises increase water pressure to improve bathing experience, however plenty of water gets wasted due to the high pressure. They should not be used indiscriminately, but only be used for limited time.
4. Use washing machines and dishwashers in full-load and speed wash modes.
5. Plan to collect rainwater from roofs or balcony shades and use it for watering plants.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

1. The new-age décor mantra is all about reusing old furniture. Redoing old furniture, using them as accent pieces is the in thing.
2. Repair and re-upholster old furniture instead of going in for a new one.
3. Left-over construction materials like bricks, glass, tiles, wires etc. can be innovatively used instead of dumping them.
4. Simple ideas like using old towels as dish-cloths or dusting cloths can save the forests. Reduce use of paper towels and tissues.
5. Recycle packaging material from any new purchase. This saves tons of non-biodegradable garbage from being piled up.

Select environment-friendly and non-toxic products for your home

1. Buy water-based paints that are free of toxic and harmful vapors. Even milk-based, soy-resin based, clay-casein based safe paints are available.
2. Choose fabrics for upholstery, carpets and rugs made from natural materials that are untreated and free of harmful toxins used in dyeing and chemical processing.
3. Select solid woods, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites like MDF or HDF that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic.
4. Detergents, soaps, shampoos, fabric conditioners are some of the items which you should opt for natural, Sodium lauryl Sulfate and parabens free options. This is because these products leach out poisonous chemicals in the waste water. This waste water goes back into either the soil or into the sea where it poisons the fish.

COMPOSTING wet waste

Waste management is a major worry in most developing countries and India is no exception. Segregate your household waste into dry and wet—right in your kitchen. Fruit peels, teabags and leftovers of food are wet waste, while paper, plastic and packaging are dry waste. You can use 1) Pot composting 2) Vermicomposting and 3) Bokashi method. Read this link for more information: COMPOSTING WASTE AT HOME

Go SOLAR

Solar Photovoltaic Panels – They can be used to harness and convert solar rays into useable source of energy. Besides powering the entire home on solar energy, the excess electricity can be sent back into the grid to earn additional income. Solar Water Heaters, cookers are becoming quite popular these days. Through a lot of government support, marketing and subsidies these products are the need of the hour. They have become quite affordable now and many people have started adopting solar water heaters and cookers for their heating needs. In our country with abundant sunlight all through the year, solar energy should be used widely.

Green home

Adding your own green space in any size of home especially with a kitchen garden can make a good impact on increasing independence with regards to edible vegetables, herbs. Growing greens at home especially in terraces can also be a great way to absorb heat from the top floor residences.

Contribute to a sustainable environment and be economical where possible.

1. While purchasing furniture and accessories consider their “lifecycle”. Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is no longer needed? Furniture made of MDF, HDF or engineered wood is usually not renewable and also they have less strength and therefore need to be replaced more frequently
2. Purchase from local suppliers to minimize transportation of materials and products. With the advent of online shopping, one can purchase items from across the country while sitting at home. While this is convenient, the carbon footprint it leaves behind is very huge – the transport of said items, the packaging etc. Besides this adversely affects the local suppliers and manufacturers business.
3. Encourage rural artisans by purchasing their handicrafts and provide them with a livelihood by doing so.

In conclusion, the role of an interior decorator in New Mumbai is undeniably crucial in transforming living spaces into stunning, functional, and personalized environments. With their expertise in design principles, creativity, and an understanding of local trends and preferences, interior decorators play a pivotal role in enhancing the aesthetics and functionality of homes and commercial spaces in this vibrant city.

Written by Kala Ravi (Interior Designer, Blogger)