As an interior designer, I am passionate about creating spaces that tell your story while being both beautiful and functional. I also believe that it is important to design with environmental responsibility and our well-being in mind. That's why I am a big advocate of biophilic design.

Biophilic design is a way of incorporating elements of nature into the built environment. This can include using natural materials, plants, and water features, as well as creating spaces that offer views of our natural surroundings.

Biophilic design has been shown to have a number of benefits for human health and well-being. It can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost creativity. It can also be source in a way that is beneficial for the environment.

In this blog post, I will discuss the relationship between biophilic design and environmental responsibility. I will also share some tips for using environmentally responsible products in biophilic design.

Selected Harvesting vs. Clear Cutting

One of the most important things to consider when choosing materials for biophilic design is the harvesting method. Clear cutting is a logging practice that involves removing all of the trees from a large area at once. This can have a devastating impact on the environment, destroying wildlife habitats and contributing to climate change.

Selected harvesting, on the other hand, is a more sustainable practice. It involves removing only a small percentage of the trees from an area at a time, allowing the forest to regenerate.

When choosing wood products for a responsibly sourced design, it is important to look for products that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). An FSC certification ensures that the wood was harvested from sustainably managed forests.

Pros and Cons Of Different Types Of Flooring

Another important factor to consider is the carbon footprint of the materials we choose. Hardwood flooring has been known to have a higher carbon footprint than other types of flooring, such as bamboo or cork. This is because hardwood flooring requires more energy to produce and transport. I would like to share some facts that may sway you to still make hardwoods your top choice.

If you are concerned about the carbon footprint of your home interior design, there are a number of ways to reduce it. One option is to make an informed decision when selecting your flooring, for example utlizinging reclaimed wood flooring. Reclaimed wood has already been harvested and processed, so it has a lower carbon footprint than new wood. Read on to learn how hardwood flooring can be an ecofriendly choice.

CARB Compliance

When it comes to eco-friendly floors, bamboo gets a lot of love for its rapid growth compared to slow-maturing hardwood trees. But let's see some comparisons by looking at their journey from nature to our homes.

Harvesting:

• Bamboo is a green dream - it can shoot up 2 feet in a day!

• Hardwood trees take decades to mature, but when their forests are managed sustainably, there is no widespread clear-cutting; mature trees are carefully chosen for harvest, making room for the little ones.

Manufacturing:

• Bamboo's process involves cutting, laminating with formaldehyde glue, and a not-so-eco-friendly 80% of electricity from coal.

• Hardwood’s is simpler, and often uses a 0% VOC finish, producing minimal waste - just sawdust, which has its uses.

Shipping:

• Bamboo's global journey on container ships burning low-grade diesel is a pollution heavyweight. Picture this: one ship from Shanghai to Montreal can out-pollute all of Canada's cars covering 70,000 kilometers.

Considering all this, is bamboo truly the green hero? Hardwood, with responsible practices, offers durability and a lifespan measured in centuries, avoiding the landfill fate of some other flooring types. Rembember to not just learn about growth speed; but about the entire eco-journey.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals that are released into the air from a variety of products, including paints, adhesives, and furniture. VOCs can cause a number of health problems, including headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation.

If you are choosing to incorporate biophilic design for its health benefits, as well as for it’s aesthetics, it is important to select products that are low in VOCs. There are a number of low-VOC paints and adhesives available on the market. You can also find furniture that is made with low-VOC materials.

Not all VOC’s have an unpleasant smell. Here is a simple analogy to help you understand VOCs:

Imagine you are baking a cake. When you open the oven door, you are hit with a delicious smell. That smell is caused by VOCs being released from the cake.This is because VOC’s are created when certain oils (or fats) reach a certain temperature.

VOCs can also be released from products in our homes, such as furniture, paint, and cleaning supplies. When we breathe in VOCs, they can enter our bloodstream and cause a variety of health problems.

That's why it is important to choose low-VOC products for our homes. They release fewer VOCs into the air, which can help to improve our indoor air quality and protect our health.

Here are a few tips for choosing low-VOC products for your home:

• Look for products that are labeled "low-VOC" or "VOC-free."

• Avoid products that have a strong odor.

• Choose products that are made with natural materials, such as wood and cotton.

• Ventilate your home well after using products that contain VOCs.

If you are concerned about the VOC levels in your home, you can purchase a VOC tester to measure the air quality, they are available at most hardware stores.

By choosing low-VOC products for your home’s interior design, you can create a space that is both beautiful and healthy for you and your family.

Biophilic design is a great way to create spaces that are both beautiful and beneficial for human health and well-being. However, if it is important to you to choose environmentally responsible products, here are a few tips:

• Choose wood products that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

• Consider all the variables affecting your flooring from nature to your home.

• Using reclaimed wood flooring is an option.

• Choose CARB-compliant composite wood products.

• Select products that are low in VOCs.

If you are interested in learning more about how to incorporate biophilic design and environmentally friendly elements into your home, I encourage you to read my other blog posts about biophilic design:

• 9 Easy Ways To Achieve A Home That Feels Good

• How Biophilic Design Can Bring Peace of Mind

During our Complimentary Exploration Call we can discuss how together we can create a space that is kind to you and those around you.

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