Once upon a time, luxury living and sustainability were worlds apart, but in 2024, the two now coexist more closely than could have been imagined back then. Thanks to the ever-evolving tastes and demands of discerning clientele, high-end brands and companies have had to adapt quickly to align themselves with the increasingly green ethos of their affluent clientele.
And today, rather than detracting from a luxe lifestyle, sustainability actually enhances it, with more eco-friendly choices than ever before in everything from homes and travel to fashion and beauty.
If you’ve been keen to overhaul your lifestyle to reflect your environmentally conscious views without compromising on all of the luxuries you love, then here are eight simple steps to achieving the perfect balance.
Choose sustainable building materials
If you’re having a new home built or planning on extending or renovating your current property, then opting for sustainable design principles and choosing sustainable building materials is a great way to ensure that one of the biggest elements of your life aligns with your ethos.
We spend a large proportion of our time at home, so making sure yours is as environmentally friendly as possible is key, and non-toxic, eco-friendly, and durable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, and recycled metal will all serve you well.
The Zero-One All-Electric Home in Malibu, California is a perfect example of a luxury home built with sustainable materials and principles at its core, while the SeaPods and GreenPods at Linton Bay in Panama, and The Strand’s Grand Residence in Turks and Caicos are other prime examples of sustainable luxury living through home design at its finest.
Before consulting an architect and builder to commission your new luxury home or renovation project, you’ll need to check the building regulations and sustainability requirements in your region to ensure that you are compliant.
The requirements for sustainable residential building practices may differ slightly depending on where you live; for example, the Basix certificate is mandatory for new residential developments in New South Wales, Australia, whereas in the US, various programs and certifications, while not federally mandated, are encouraged and may offer incentives. These include LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), ENERGY STAR (run by the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA), and the National Green Building Standard.
In the UK, requirements for sustainability in residential buildings are covered by the Future Homes and Buildings Standards.
Optimise energy efficiency
Incorporating energy-efficient appliances and smart home systems is another great way to make your day-to-day living more sustainable. Smart home systems, while practical and energy efficient, are now seen as the epitome of modern luxury living, turning any living space into a more responsive environment to offer the utmost in comfort, convenience, and security.
In terms of appliances, leading brands have had to adapt quickly in recent years to comply with the latest energy efficiency standards. Look for labels with energy efficiency ratings on dishwashers, fridges and freezers, washing machines, wine storage refrigerators, televisions and other home appliances.
If you’re looking to go one better than solar panels, wind energy, and geothermal heating installations are all sustainable solutions that increase energy efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining comfort, and while the upfront investment may be significant, the long-term benefits both for yourself and the environment are worth the splurge.
Integrate water conservation practices
One of the greatest privileges of owning a luxury home is the opportunity to create attractive outdoor spaces, including lush lawns and beautiful gardens. But if you’re concerned that sustainable living means giving up your vision of that expanse of green, fear not, because with some water-efficient landscaping, you can still have the garden of your dreams.
Rainwater harvesting systems are a simple solution if the region you live in gets plenty of annual rainfall. The water is collected in a large catchment area (such as on the rooftop) and directed to an underground or over-ground holding tank where it is then filtered and stored for later use or pumped to wherever in your home it is required for use.
To recycle greywater – the used water from sinks, showers, and washing machines – a system can be built to collect this water and distribute it for things like irrigation and toilet flushing.
And you can take your water conservation even further by having low-flow fixtures installed in your bathroom and kitchen.
Embrace sustainable interior design
You can embrace sustainability in your interior décor choices, too. Opt for eco-friendly furniture, décor, and textiles made from natural materials that are sustainably sourced and ethically produced, and insist on non-toxic paints and finishes for walls and floors, making sure to check the product labels for low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) content.
Invest in smart technology
With the great strides in technical innovation in recent years, it is now easier than ever before to integrate smart home technology into your day to day life. Smart home systems that include automated lighting, heating, and cooling will reduce energy consumption and minimise your carbon footprint. Not only that, but they also promise to infuse your life with an added sense of luxury, allowing you to remotely control everything via an app on your smartphone from wherever you are – even when you’re not at home. And with machine learning used to learn your habits and make recommendations based on your habits to ensure you get the most out of your energy usage and cut down where possible, a smart home system is the ultimate tool for the eco-conscious luxury lover.
Prioritise eco-friendly transportation
Your transportation choices can get the sustainability treatment, too. Luxury electric vehicles (EVs) are an environmentally friendly and sustainable choice for everyday commuting and local travel, and you can install your own EV charging station at home for your convenience. You’ll still be able to get from A to B in style, but you’ll save on fuel and eliminate your carbon emissions when doing so.
International travel tends to be a favoured pastime of those living an affluent lifestyle, and the good news is that you don’t have to give it up. Look online and you will find many sustainable travel options and carbon offset programs that you can explore to lessen the impact of your international flights.
Support sustainable brands
Industry trends are shaped largely by consumer choices, so show your dedication to living a more sustainable lifestyle by supporting sustainable brands. Several high-end brands have committed themselves to the cause, and in the fashion world, giants such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton have made it a central ethos, overhauling their supply chains and changing up material choices in alignment with this. The home décor world is also following suit, as are a growing number of beauty and lifestyle brands, making it easier than ever to find and buy the kinds of things you love, guilt free.
Even so, there is a way to go and you have the power to encourage more luxury brands to jump on the sustainability bandwagon as they respond to consumer demand. Demand sustainability and accountability, and you can be a part of making sustainable luxury living more accessible to all.
Opt for organic food and drink
Organic farming is widely considered to be a far more sustainable alternative when it comes to food production as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by severely restricting the use of manufactured chemical fertilisers. According to Columbia Climate School, research has shown that organic farms use 45 per cent less energy, release 40 per cent less carbon emissions, and foster 30 per cent more biodiversity compared to conventional farming.
These days, you can buy your groceries, including organic fruits, vegetables, meats and grains, and even organic flour online. Free from nasty pesticides and chemicals, they offer a more eco-friendly option while also adding a nutritional upgrade to your dining experience.
