As environmentalism becomes a more prominent part of our society, it is more important now than ever to consider responsible design during your next home improvement project. But don't worry - you don't need to carry the entire weight of the home improvement industry on your shoulders to keep a clean conscious.
What is Responsible Design?
Responsible design is the practice of considering the environmental, ethical, and societal impacts of interior design and taking the appropriate steps to mitigate negative consequences.
Using sustainable design practices is vital because the home improvement industry is responsible for the second-largest use of harvested wood. In an industry so large and reliant on natural resources, the way materials are procured and distributed matters.
Responsible Design at the Source
Knowing about responsible design is just one piece of the puzzle. How do you implement it into your home?
- Research potential brands. Any reputable company that emphasizes sustainable practices will readily have information on its initiatives. Browse the website to gather information on the brand's policies to ensure responsible design practices.
- Look for information on sourcing. Many potentially irresponsible actions take place during the sourcing process. Hazardous working conditions, low pay, and careless waste disposal can all be opportunities for unethical sourcing practices. Try to find where and how a brand gets its materials for production.
- Quality products usually mean quality practices. High quality is generally a good sign of responsible design, as ethically manufactured products are subject to intense scrutiny and must pass regulations. A high price tag does not always mean that the item has been created responsibly, but it is a sign that you may be in the right direction.
Bringing Sustainable Design Home
Once you have discovered a company that uses responsible design practices, keep looking through their products to find specific items curated with responsible design in mind. Certain products, no matter the brand, are usually eco-friendly.
Cellular Shades
Often touted as the best environmentally-friendly window treatment, cellular shades are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Honeycomb-shaped vanes trap air from passing through. The shade itself is made from fabric instead of plastic or wood, so it is a more responsible design choice to its core.
Recycled Screen Shades
What is more responsible than using recycled materials to craft designer window treatments? Made from plastic collected from the ocean, designer screen shades from Hunter Douglas, featuring Greenscreen Sea-Tex™ recycled plastic, help clean the ocean one shade at a time. You can rest easy knowing your stunning shades are helping the community, not hurting it.
Responsible Design at JC Licht
The experts at JC Licht are passionate about ensuring that you have the highest-quality window treatments in your home. This includes helping you choose shades, blinds, shutters, and drapery created with sustainable design in mind!
With multiple locations across Chicagoland, we are ready to help you with your home improvement needs, including Benjamin Moore paints, Hunter Douglas window treatments, and more. You can count on JC Licht to Make it Happen! JC Licht is the preferred provider of Hunter Douglas products for the Midwest and Chicagoland. Contact us today!
