As we entered the 21st century, cars and appliances aren't the only things that have rapidly started jumping into the "green" realm! Entire homes have been following this trend with the same pace by introducing solar panels, tankless water heaters and double-paned glass. However, more recently, aesthetics jumped on the  ''green'' waggon too as more and more interior designers seem to be turning to Mother Nature for inspiration, so now, choosing eco-friendly options for the interior doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice on the aesthetic front.

With these tips, you won't just be taking the beauty of your home into consideration but also your well-being.

Introduce plants in your décor

The most basic and obvious way to an eco-friendly home is through the introduction of potted plants, herbs and flowers. Besides bringing in visual charm, plants also improve air quality, filter out pollutants, and have a positive effect on your everyday mood. If you are new to the idea of plants, succulents are a great way to start. They are very trendy, require minimal care and are fun to experiment with.

Opt for wooden pieces

Wood is simply the best natural material to use not only for your furniture pieces but also flooring, supporting columns and walls. It adds warmth to the interior, softens color contrasts and is excellent for creating unique rooms in rustic or classic style. The important thing about this natural material is that elements are usually held together using basic wood joinery techniques, which means that they generally have a stronger bond by using a less amount of adhesives. Adhesives can be a significant cause of VOC emissions.

Let the sunlight in

Another smart way of creating an eco-friendly indoor is by letting as much sunlight in as possible, thus maximizing daylight. In case your window is oriented in a manner which requires curtains, choose ones that are made from natural materials such as silk and jute or opt for bamboo or rattan shades.

Energy-efficient lighting

Of course, at the end of the day, the sun is going to set or it’s going to be cloudy outside so eventually you are going to have to turn the lights on. In order to save energy and help the environment, turn to an energy-efficient light source such as LED. These lights are appropriate for use in every room and they can completely change and improve the atmosphere, make it warmer and cozier.

Use organic materials

Silk, linen, cotton, and wool are all natural materials that will spruce up the ambience of your home without compromising visual unity of other natural elements. To liven up the décor, use textiles in bright colors as these can add warmth and cheer to even the dullest of backdrops. If you are aiming for a calmer look, however, opt for neutral tones instead.

Natural, efficient building materials

Because building material is certainly the most important part in creating and energy efficient, eco-friendly home, we could not help but mention a few. Straw bales, hemp, bamboo and wood are materials that go back to the days when homes were built from natural, locally-occurring materials and are still used today. Even using earth as a means of isolation is another old idea coming back to life which is the basis for earth sheltered homes sprouting all around the world.

Turning to eco-friendly interior design is a smart and responsible thing to do because it is not only beneficial for you, but also for the environment. So, how about you, what are you doing with your home design in order to help save our planet?