Skip to main content

Why green home design is the 2022 trend we all need right now

Looking forward to 2022, there’s one trend we simply can’t ignore when it comes to interior design: green homes. Green design is all about sustainability, biophilic schemes, and natural elements that create a space where homeowners can feel relaxed and rejuvenated. If you’re interested in hopping on this trend, then we’ve got you covered. Below are are our best tips for incorporating green home design into your space.

modern living room with lots of plants for decor

Why green design is growing in popularity

This type of home design aims to invite more peace and serenity into the space. After a tough couple of years of quarantine, work from home, and general pandemic-related anxiety, people are looking for a breath of fresh air in the home. Green design offers just that, literally and figuratively, using natural materials and oversized plants. It’s no wonder paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and Valspar chose shades of green as their 2022 color of the year.

Further, with the climate emergency becoming more and more severe every day, many people are choosing more sustainable solutions in their homes whether it’s using secondhand decor, opting for renewable energy, or making small lifestyle changes like composting food scraps.

How to incorporate green design into your home

Below are some of the best ways to incorporate green design into your space.

Focus on biophilic design

Whether you use house plants or opt for nature-inspired wallpaper, the biophilic design reconnects homeowners with the outside world using decor that’s reminiscent of nature. To achieve this in your home, bring more houseplants to your space, situate furniture to face windows rather than walls, add plant-themed wallpaper or wall art, and use natural materials like wood, wool, or stone throughout the space.

Furthermore, biophilic design is also about creating an environment that feels authentic and calming, so items like mini desk fountains, white noise machines, landscape paintings, and open windows are crucial aspects of this trend.

Opt for sustainable materials

Rather than purchasing mass-market art or items made of plastic, this trend in home design urges homeowners to explore sustainable alternatives. Try to source furniture and decor from local artisans or purchase from eco-friendly brands and online retailers. Look for tables made of bamboo, furniture crafted from recycled materials, and locally made blankets to decorate your home sustainably. However you go about it, sustainability is one of the best ways to take advantage of green design and do your part to limit the amount of trash that ultimately ends up in the landfill (or the ocean).

Try out multipurpose furniture

In addition to sustainability, the green design trend also favors multipurpose furniture, saving money for homeowners and preventing the production of multiple unnecessary products. For example, rather than buying a separate guest bed and a couch, purchase one piece of furniture, like a day bed, that answers both needs. This two-for-one aspect of home design not only saves money for the long term but limits the number of materials, shipping, and waste needed to decorate the home.

Dual-purpose furniture also saves space, making the entire space look bigger. Additionally, with less clutter, there are more flat surfaces for light to bounce off of, improving the illumination throughout the room. So, whether you opt for a pull-out sofa bed, extendable dining table, or a mobile storage cart, you can cut down on waste and clutter all while coming in under budget.

modern kitchen with wooden countertops

Green design isn’t just about natural elements

Protecting and celebrating nature, first and foremost, ensures the planet is happy and healthy enough to continue to support life. However, nature is also just nice to look at. In addition to creating a sustainable home, make sure your green design is also aesthetically pleasing. It’s all about creating a space that looks and feels serene.

Greens, neutrals, and blues can be bright and lively, plus, they satisfy our innate need to connect with nature. Be sure to use a lot of cozy materials like cotton and wool so you can snuggle up and enjoy the space. Include plenty of options for soft lighting as well so you can unwind after a long day in a more ambient environment.

Green design is more than just adding plants to your interiors (although it is an important aspect). It’s about using sustainable furniture in your design, adding greenery through plants and paint, and opting for natural elements that will reconnect you with nature and the beauty of the world that exists right outside your window. After spending so much time inside, it’s time for a refreshing change, and green design offers just that.

Editors' Recommendations

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She enjoys topics on productivity…
4 gorgeous 2023 wallpaper design trends for every room in your home
We love these wallpaper design trends making a splash in 2023
Grandmillenial inspired floral wallpaper with cabinet and chair

Wallpaper is having a real moment these past few years, making a comeback from the 1970s and 1980s when it adorned almost everyone's homes. Wallpaper has a way of transforming a room from flat and dull to fabulous, and it comes in so many patterns and designs that it's hard not to find one you love. There are a few wallpaper design trends increasing in popularity, so if you're in the market, here are a few options to get your creative juices flowing.

Elizabeth Rees, the founder of a leading wall coverings company, Chasing Paper, shared a few gorgeous ideas that are sure to be a big hit in 2023 and beyond.

Read more
Experts agree: These 2 beloved HGTV design trends are finally going away
2023 interior design trends will feature a whole lot less of these ubiquitous styles
modern neutral patterned living room by FLOR

Interior design trends come and go, and with the various HGTV shows, the public gets a first-hand look at them coming and going. What was once reserved for interior designers only, having a popular network show that brings new ideas to the masses has changed the way we respond to trends. But with any trend, its popularity eventually wanes to make way for something new. Here are two interior design trends that experts say are on their way out.

The 'open concept'
For years, you couldn't watch a single home design show without hearing someone proclaim that they wanted an open-floorplan home. But that's all changing.

Read more
These are the best shower plants for your bathroom (and why you really need one)
Shower plants have design and health benefits: Here are the best ones
Bathroom lowlight plants

Keeping indoor plants has been a popular decorating method for years, but the nature-inspired design has gone to a whole new level in recent years. From green being the "it" color of the year to design styles adopting a friluftsliv appeal, designers and DIYers alike are finding new and interesting ways to incorporate nature design into the modern home.

What's one of our favorite green design features? The shower plant. Whether you have a bathroom with a green palette or a super luxurious, modern design, keeping a plant inside your shower is a unique, fun design approach. It's also incredibly beneficial for you. These are the benefits of a shower plant — and the best ones you can get.

Read more