Sustainability

Sustainable Design is focusing on products and processes that protect the environment while conserving energy for future generations.

Part of an Interior Designer’s profession includes trying to design spaces that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly. Lighting is one major source of energy that an Interior Designer is responsible for. Energy can be saved by using compact florescent lighting (CFL) which not only uses less energy but also lasts longer than traditional household light bulbs. A Designer can also save energy by utilizing natural lighting when designing a space. LED lighting technology is currently improving so it can be more widely used as interior lighting because it is even more efficient than CFL.

The lighting controls can be just as important as the actual lights when trying to be sustainable. Movement, sound, and infrared sensors can save energy by automatically turning off the lights when they are not in use. The daylight switching plan is a way of saving energy by turning on and off lights based on where natural sunlight is in the room.