When people think about reducing their carbon footprint, they often focus on lifestyle swaps, AKA using less plastic, eating more plants, or driving less. But one of the biggest opportunities to cut carbon is right under your roof: the design and layout of your home.
At Sticks & Stone Co., we create handcrafted concrete basins that bring beauty and longevity to modern bathrooms. But we also know that concrete can raise eyebrows when it comes to sustainability – and that’s exactly why we do things differently when it comes to crafting our concrete wares.
Our concrete basins are made from Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), a lighter, stronger, and more responsible alternative to traditional concrete that’s better suited to sustainable homes.
Elevate your bathroom with a basin that’s built to last and better for the planet. From our concrete tables to our basins and other products, all of our concrete pieces are locally made, low-waste, and full of character. Contact us to start your project.
Today, we’ll unpack what it really means to reduce the carbon footprint of your home design – from materials and energy efficiency to product choices that are built to last. Along the way, we’ll explore how products like ours can play a thoughtful role in shaping interiors that are both low-impact and high style.
Table Of Contents
- What Does It Mean to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home?
- Sustainable Home Design Starts with Smart Choices
- Is Concrete Sustainable? What to Know Before You Build
- Tips to Reduce Your Home’s Carbon Footprint
- Aesthetic Meets Ethics: Choosing Low-Impact Materials That Last
- Renovating vs Building New: Which Is More Sustainable?
- Beauty That Lasts, Impact That Doesn’t
- Want a Bathroom That’s as Sustainable as it is Stylish?
What Does It Mean to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home?
Reducing your carbon footprint at home isn’t just about switching off the lights or turning down the heater. It’s about rethinking the way your home is designed, built, and lived in – and how those decisions impact the planet, not just today, but over the lifetime of the space.
There are two sides to this: the energy and resources you use every day (called direct emissions), and the materials and products used to build or furnish your home (indirect or “embodied” emissions). That includes everything from insulation and flooring to the basin in your bathroom.
While the idea of a “sustainable home” often conjures up images of timber cabins or minimalist solar-powered builds, the reality is more nuanced. You can still embrace elements of industrial design (clean lines, exposed materials, polished concrete) in a way that’s thoughtful, durable, and lower impact. It just depends on how those elements are made, and how long they’re designed to last.
Sustainable Home Design Starts with Smart Choices
Designing a sustainable home naturally starts with finetuning your layout. This means considering your home’s solar orientation, light availability across all your interiors (i.e. the flow of natural light through the home), and the airflow between different rooms and spaces. Balancing all these elements can significantly lower your reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems, greatly improving the overall sustainability of your abode.
Passive design considerations, such as north-facing living areas, thermal mass, and cross-ventilation, all work together to allow your home to function harmoniously with the climate, rather than working against it. The result? Fewer appliances, fans and air conditioners running in overdrive and greater comfort from the onset.
When it comes to finishes and fittings, these should also be practical and built to last to further support sustainability. Insulation, fixtures and finishes that are hard-wearing and can withstand everyday use are an essential feature of an environmentally-friendly home. In recent years, concrete benchtops have gained popularity in sustainable interiors for these very reasons.
Their rugged, hard-wearing properties pair perfectly with minimalist and low-clutter interiors designed to last. In addition to their durability and low maintenance, the aesthetic and functional benefits of concrete for interior design make it an all-round practical and stylish choice.
On the surface, concrete boasts a tactile, natural look that is both grounded and architectural, with a quality that only improves over time. In addition to the choice of materials, the use of solar energy systems and the selection of energy-efficient lighting and appliances also further reduces the environmental impact of a home, minimising long-term energy consumption and emissions.
Is Concrete Sustainable? What to Know Before You Build
Before you build or renovate, it’s worth asking: what role will concrete play in your space? Is it structural, aesthetic, or both? And can you use a lower-impact version in places where durability and design matter most? The answers can help you decide how (and where) concrete fits into a more sustainable approach to your home.
Here’s the more nuanced truth: not all concrete is created equal, and how you use it matters just as much as what it’s made from. There are now exciting innovations in the world of concrete – from geopolymer mixes that drastically reduce emissions to recycled aggregates and concrete blends designed to lower environmental impact.
At Sticks & Stone Co., we use Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) - a modern material that offers the aesthetic appeal of traditional concrete, with significantly less environmental impact. Unlike standard mixes, GFRC uses less cement (the most carbon-intensive part of concrete) and replaces steel reinforcement with high-strength glass fibres. The result? Polished concrete basins that are lighter, more durable, and produced with less embodied carbon than standard concrete alternatives.
When used thoughtfully, concrete can actually make a lot of sense. It’s durable and low-maintenance. And because our basins are handmade in Australia, we also cut down on transport emissions.
Because they’re built to last and require minimal maintenance, our GFRC basins help reduce the need for replacements, which further lowers their overall environmental footprint and puts us at the forefront of sustainable design.
Tips to Reduce Your Home’s Carbon Footprint
Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, these tips can help you design a home that looks good, feels good, and treads lightly on the planet.
Repurpose Where You Can
Using reclaimed timber or recycled steel isn’t just about being eco-friendly, and it’s a way to add real character and charm to a space. These materials have history and stories, plus you’re saving perfectly good resources from ending up in a landfill. It’s a win-win: you get something unique, and the planet gets a break.
Keep It Clean (Literally)
Choosing low-VOC paints and sealants means you’re not just doing something good for the environment, you’re also looking out for your own health. No more harsh chemical smells or worrying about what’s in the air while you paint. It’s a simple swap that makes your home a fresher, safer place to be.
Buy Less, Buy Better
Instead of filling your space with things that won’t last, invest in quality items made to stand the test of time. Whenever possible, go local. It cuts down on the waste and pollution that comes with shipping goods across the globe. Buying better means less clutter, less waste, and more things you really love.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
Sure, energy-efficient fridges, washing machines, and lighting might have a higher price tag up front, but they’re worth it. These appliances work smarter, not harder, helping you save on bills and reduce your environmental footprint every day. Think of it as a long-term investment that pays dividends both financially and for the planet.
Invest in Durable Fixtures
Well-made fixtures don’t just save you the hassle of constant upkeep - they’re also better for the planet. Think beyond the tap: concrete basins, stone benchtops, and solid brass tapware can all stand the test of time. A well-made concrete basin doesn’t just look great; ours are handmade in Australia and super easy to care for with a quick wipe down. No resealing. No stress.
Support Sustainable Brands
Choosing brands that prioritise sustainability isn’t just about products - it’s about supporting stories and people who care. Local makers and low-waste producers often have a smaller environmental footprint and offer something more meaningful. Buying from them helps build a better future and brings something special into your home.
Design For Functionality, Not Just Form
Oversized homes or rooms that never get used can waste a lot. Smart layout beats square footage every time. A smart, thoughtful layout that fits how you live and works for your day-to-day life is far more valuable than square footage alone. It’s about making every corner count.
Aesthetic Meets Ethics: Choosing Low-Impact Materials That Last
It’s a common misconception that sustainability equals compromise. On the contrary, it can be responsible choices that result in the most visually stunning interiors. Visually, solar panels providing energy to the home, or a rainwater tank artfully concealed in the garden are just a couple of examples of low-impact living also being practical and aesthetically pleasing.
The same principles can be applied to the interior of the home. The decision to choose long-lasting, honest materials will result in less waste and promote a healthier space. Feature elements (think textured concrete or recycled surfaces) also provide a tactile quality that only enriches with time.
In the bathroom, we focus on choosing products that do more with less. For example, a pedestal basin can be a sculptural feature and strong focal point. A vessel basin, on the other hand, offers a more modern aesthetic with an elevated look, again utilising minimal materials.
These products can be part of a larger scheme of considered, efficient design.
Renovating vs Building New: Which Is More Sustainable?
When it comes to sustainability, building from scratch isn’t always the greenest option. New builds often carry a much higher embodied carbon footprint – that’s the carbon emitted during the production and transport of construction materials, and the building process itself.
On the other hand, renovating or retrofitting an existing structure means you’re working with what’s already there. Reusing a home’s core framework (like the walls, flooring, and roof) helps avoid unnecessary waste and dramatically reduces the environmental cost.
That said, renovating still gives you room to reimagine a space, especially with materials like concrete. From custom concrete walls to textural feature elements, you can introduce durable, low-maintenance surfaces that suit your aesthetic and your values. Built to fit your space (and last decades), these additions can elevate a retrofit without adding unnecessary waste or short-term materials.
If you’re weighing up the two paths, ask yourself: What can I salvage? What needs upgrading? And how can I design with longevity in mind?
Beauty That Lasts, Impact That Doesn’t
Building a low-carbon footprint home doesn’t have to feel like a massive chore. Little decisions can go a long way, like the orientation of your home to make the most of natural light, selecting hard-wearing surfaces, such as concrete benchtops or concrete basins, or simply upgrading your appliances and finding low-waste local suppliers for the materials you need to build and furnish your dream home.
Think of sustainability as a journey. Every small step you take is a step towards a more beautiful and functional home that will last the test of time and with a lower impact on our planet.
Want your Home to be as Sustainable as it is Stylish?
Discover our handcrafted concrete basins, made with durability, local materials, and low-waste production at their heart.
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