Tips for home decorators who are trying to tread lightly on the planet.

Protecting the planet is a hot topic, so how can we help out at home? A thoughtful new book provides some guidance

WORDLY CONCERNS

Plastic is just one concern. There are many threats to our planet – global warming, pollution, overpopulation and water scarcity – and it’s easy to feel powerless in the face of all this bad news. Can a stylish, comfortable, efficient home be achieved with minimal impact on the environment? We can all do our bit for the planet and, in turn, benefit from a home that is as chemical and waste free as possible. We are constantly striving for what our grandparents saw as the norm.

TEXTILES

Try to choose textiles that have the smallest environmental footprint, such as wool, which is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and can be organically produced. Look for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton. Linen is greener, as the flax plant is immune to pests and disease so doesn’t require many chemical treatments when growing. Other eco fabrics include bamboo, lyocell and hemp, which can be grown without chemicals.

RECYCLED STYLE

Wood is a sustainable material but can’t be easily recycled, which is why it’s important to reuse wooden objects until they become rickety or fall apart. It is renewable, but deforestation is a huge environmental issue, so if you are buying new wood, look for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood. Glass is made from all-natural, sustainable raw materials. It is 100 per cent recyclable and can be recycled without any loss in quality. Metal is a desirable and valuable material that, like glass, can be recycled repeatedly without altering its properties. It requires much less energy to recycle metal than it does to extract it in the first place, so it’s important to recycle all food and drink containers made from aluminium or steel. As it’s strong and durable, metal components can also be salvaged and reused in the home. >

PHOTOGRAPHS RACHEL WHITING

THESE PAGES (from top) Making a kitchen plastic free can be tricky; use glass storage jars and bottles, hemp bags, ceramics, enamel, wire baskets, and galvanised steel buckets. Dress your bed with duvets, wool blankets and throws; here, a linen tablecloth has been used as a bedspread rather than leaving it languishing in a drawer.

THIS PAGE Give your living room a tranquil, sophisticated feel with elegant sofas covered in dark linen; hemp upholstery fabric looks very similar to linen and is even more durable. OPPOSITE Showering uses less water than a bath but every now and then a bath is a relaxing treat; use your bath water to water the plants – simply scoop it out with a watering can.