Green Design Trends for 2011

Green trends have permeated every aspect of our lives, and design is no different. With a rise in green awareness, designers and homeowners alike are trying to find ways to make their homes more beautiful while paying their respects to the earth. This year, keep your eyes peeled for homes, buildings, and cities that combine efficiency with eye catching design.

Green Design Trends for 2011: Bike Lanes

Bike lanes have received a tremendous amount of backlash when it comes to city planning. However, the environmental and health benefits of biking are making a slow but sure comeback. Keep an eye out for more bike friendly planning in urban areas.

Green Design Trends for 2011: Less is More

The minimalist lifestyle has a following that keeps growing by leaps and bounds. This is partially thanks to Leo Babauta, the mastermind behind the minimalist living and productivity blog, Zen Habits. But did you know that minimalism is also green? TreeHugger founder Graham Hill predicts that people will start moving away from our culture of excess in hopes of affecting the environment, the economy, our homes, and our overall wellbeing in a more positive way.

Green Design Trends for 2011: Big Builders are Going Green

The benefits of green building, both environmentally and financially, are starting to grab some well-deserved attention. For this reason, big companies are starting to see the market and sales value of green building and encouraging the practice of conserving energy and water. This is a big step toward making green homes more accessible to the masses.

Green Design Trends for 2011: Net Zero and Net Positive Homes

Net Zero refers to homes that produce their own energy. These homes have become very and may even lead to the rise of Net Positive homes, meaning homes that produce more energy than they actually need. According to Inhabitat, in 2011 net positive builders are going to start sending out checks at the end of the year for all the energy that the homeowners did not use.

Green Design Trends for 2011: Sustainable design companies will see growth.

It has been established that green design is not just a trend. As a result, consumers are going to start pumping a significant amount of revenue into sustainable design companies. These companies will thus grow and homeowners will have long lasting, energy efficient, and cost effective homes.

Green Design Trends for 2011: Green Schools

Several organizations like Global Green have been pushing for green schools in order to improve the health of children. Zem Joaquim of Ecofabulous predicts that green schools will eventually pave the way for building green cities.

From more bike lanes and net positive homes to the growth of sustainable design companies and green schools, it looks like 2011 is going to be a big year in green design.

Sources:

ZenHabits.net

Treehugger.com - Yves Bahar on Sustainable Design, Predictions for 2011

Inhabitat- Green Predictions for 2011

Ecofabulous - Home