In 2021, architects and designers are bringing sustainability to center stage. Now more than ever, they’re looking for ways to incorporate ecofriendly elements into homes and create a positive impact on our planet.

From sustainable materials to indoor air quality, we’ve researched the top trends shaping the home design industry. Curious to know what trends are paving the way forward? Keep reading to discover the 6 home design trends we’re taking note of!

6 Sustainable Home Design Trends We’re Watching in 2021

Trends come and go, but these sustainable home design ideas are sure to make a lasting impact. Here are the sustainable home design trends we see making the biggest splash: 

Energy Efficient Homes

When it comes to the amount of energy consumed in building a home, less is more.

This year, with climate change drastically impacting our global environment, designers and architects have prioritized building energy efficient homes.

One such home is the ZNE home, or Zero Net Energy home.

Zero Net Energy Homes

Unfamiliar with zero net energy? Let us fill you in.

A zero net energy home is a home that produces as much renewable energy as it consumes.

By combining state-of-the-art design and sophisticated building techniques, designers and architects can create a home that is so air-tight, well insulated, and energy efficient that at the end of the year ZNE home occupants will have a net zero energy bill and a carbon-free home.

Pretty cool, right?

Natural Lighting with Energy Efficient Windows

Another way designers and architects are lowering their energy costs is by prioritizing natural lighting during the design and building process.  

Not only is this choice aesthetically pleasing (who doesn’t love a gorgeous bay window?), but it also presents an opportunity to cut down on energy expenses. When paired with energy efficient windows, this design choice can cut down on costs like electricity, heating, and air conditioning throughout the year.

Energy efficient windows prevent light leakage, making sure your home is well lit and temperature controlled. This means you can hold off on switching the lights on for longer, and rely less on your heater or AC!

Recycled & Sustainable Materials

Beyond bringing in more natural light, architects and designers are leveraging recycled, reclaimed, and sustainable building materials.

Recycling gives another chance to building materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. And in 2021, almost every traditional building material has a recycled alternative!

Thanks to new industry sectors like the eco-friendly tile market, today’s home builders can find a range a range of sustainable materials, from recycled tiles and doors to recycled insulation or steel beams.

Looking for recycled materials you can incorporate into your next project? Our curated line of decorative tile features 65-100% recycled materials!

Improved Indoor Air Quality

We all want less pollutants outdoors and indoors. That’s why this year we’re seeing home design turn its focus to indoor air quality.

To prevent pollutants from proliferating indoors, builders are utilizing advanced ventilation systems, like ductless air conditioning and energy-efficient HVAC systems, to improve air quality and reduce energy expenses in new home designs.

Non-toxic Building Materials

One thing is for certain: you can’t have better indoor air quality with toxic building materials.

Unfortunately, conventional building materials are often loaded with toxic materials, from formaldehyde to VOCs (volatile organic compounds). To create better indoor air quality and a healthier home overall, designers and architects are turning to alternative solutions.

Incorporating certain sustainable materials that are VOC-free, like Terrazzo, is one way builders are working towards better air quality indoors. They are also leveraging materials like VOC-free paints, non-toxic woods, and natural insultation to create healthier homes across the board.

Our Eco-Friendly Terrazzo, 100% VOC-Free

Plant Powered Living Walls

Another way to improve indoor air quality? Plants! Plants can improve air quality inside the home because they naturally filter toxins from the air.

And designers have harnessed this plant power by installing living walls in new home designs.

A living wall, or a green wall, is essentially a system that provides a healthy environment for plants to grow on any interior wall surface. These organic creations can help purify the air, reduce VOCs, and create a stunning centerpiece for any space. Talk about a win-win!

Prefabricated Homes

We couldn’t talk about sustainable home design trends without mentioning prefab homes.

Prefabricated homes are built offsite and then shipped to their final location in parts that can be easily assembled.

This type of home is increasingly popular in 2021 because it offers some key sustainable benefits, like:

• Durability
• Reduced Waste
• Low Energy Costs

Prefab homes are extremely durable because they must be built for shipment. And this durability adds a layer of sustainability into the home because prefab home materials will have a longer lifespan and won’t require frequent replacement.

This type of home also creates less material waste, thanks to its uber efficient production. When building prefab homes, engineers know exactly how much material they need, and materials are not subject to on-site construction mishaps like theft, vandalism, or damage.

Aside from these benefits, prefab homes come with a shorter construction time. Building beforehand leads to an abbreviated construction timeline, which can help reduce energy costs associated with ongoing construction.

Water Conservation

If we had to pick a theme for sustainable home design in 2021 it would probably be something like: do more with less. And this theme rings especially true when it comes to water.

Extreme drought and rampant wildfires brought on by climate change have urged designers and architects to reevaluate how their home design process consumes water.

As a result, we’re seeing new water conversation strategies crop up in relation to this sustainable home design trend. Below are some of the more common water conservation tactics being used:

• Installing water-saving showerheads
• Installing low-flow toilets and faucet aerators
• Installing greywater recovery systems
• Installing rainwater catchment systems
• Utilizing water-efficient lawns and gardens

Green Certifications

With so many designers and architects looking to incorporate sustainability into their home designs, it’s no wonder that we’re seeing an increase in the available green certifications this year.

The most prominent and widely accepted green building certifications available this year are:

• The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System
• The WELL Building Standard
• The Living Building Challenge
• The Passivhaus Standard

These certifications measure a home’s sustainability, impact on its occupants’ health, and energy performance.

We expect to see the number of certifications increase as more designers and architects venture into the sustainable home design space!

Add Sustainability into Your Home with LIVDEN

If these trends tell us anything, it’s that sustainable home design is here to stay.

Want to add an ecofriendly element into your home design? Grab recycled materials!

Our recycled tile collections are the easiest way to stylize and infuse sustainability into your space.

Explore our recycled Polar Ice Terrazzo tiles today to find an eco-friendly tile that’s just right for you.