August 23rd, 2022 | Homeowners

Green Luxury: The Rise of Eco-Conscious Home Trends

New trends among upmarket homeowners are proving that eco-conscious consumption does not require sacrificing high standards of design or lifestyle. 

In 2022, ethical and sustainable home trends have evolved beyond simplistic features like microgardens and roof-mounted solar panels. Today, green luxury encompasses the full spectrum of upscale real estate.  

From material sourcing to property features and recreational homes, here is a brief overview of this year’s rising eco-minded home trends. 

As consumers adjust habits to better reflect their principles, concepts of ethics and luxury are becoming increasingly aligned. Learn more by reading our blog post on the topic here

Practice & Product

While a complete embrace of sustainable materials once served as a guiding principle of green luxury, today new considerations relating to supply chains have eco-conscious consumers reconsidering their approach.

At the very core of these emerging ideas is understanding the net impact of a given transaction. For instance, bamboo has long been embraced within the luxury design market for its sophisticated allure and sustainable nature. However, the material’s built-in ecological strengths become offset if it must be shipped an great distance for consumer use. 

As these concepts grow in prominence, a greater number of eco-conscious affluent consumers are turning to local designers, materials and manufacturers for solutions. 

Sustainable Exclusivity 

In addition to generating a minimal ecological footprint, local-focused consumption habits can add an air of personalization and rarity to a home. As most contemporary material sourcing in the luxury market relies on international or long-distance transport, an individual commitment to investing in local products opens consumers up to unique or distinctive items their neighbours and peers will not have access to. 

In-Home Electric Vehicle Charging Ports 

As electric cars become increasingly popular among affluent consumers, several up-market brands such as Audi, BMW and Tesla are continuously expanding their selection of eco-conscious vehicles. For electric vehicle owners, at-home charging represents the epitome of luxury. Despite relatively high price points, the convenience offered by home charging ports is simply unparalleled. 

In addition to sustainability considerations, contemporary supply chain challenges may be indicative of long-term difficulties in consumer access to traditional fuels. At-home charging ports build a safety net for potential supply issues as they reduce reliance on public fueling stations. 


Searching for more resources covering modern design and home trends? Explore these blog posts. 


Future-Forward Water Features 

For sustainability-conscious homeowners, ensuring a property’s water features promote local ecological health requires a thoughtful approach.

In the instance of an outdoor pool, a large portion of the potentially harmful environmental impacts stem from the utility requirements in keeping the pool free of algae and harmful bacteria. 

The following is a brief list of eco-conscious optimizations for outdoor pools.

  • A high-quality, weather-bearing cover reduces power usage by keeping the pool clean and temperate. 
  • Transitioning away from chlorine, which carries harmful evaporative chemicals, to saltwater or reed bed sanitation protects the immediate environment surrounding the property. 
  • Installing a windbreaker prevents evaporative water loss, reducing refill frequencies. Modern windbreakers also support lower water temperatures, allowing heaters to use less energy.  
  • Utilizing solar heating. Today, several high-end manufacturers cater to eco-conscious homeowners by offering innovative pool heating systems powered entirely by solar energy. 

In addition to supporting a greener future, most eco-conscious home features also provide strong ROI. Learn more about other value-elevating property features with these blog posts. 


Secondary Properties 

Across the world, developers of high-end vacation properties are shifting toward green-forward design elements. These trends, which reflect prominent ethical luxury concepts, embrace ecological principles of sustainable materials, as well as local habit conservation and non-disturbance. 

Featured in Sotheby’s International Realty 2022 Luxury Outlook, unique modifications to property lighting in the Cayman Islands are ensuring optimal ecological conditions for local turtle populations. Accessory lights are removed from the water’s edge, allowing newly born hatchlings to follow the natural light of the moon into the ocean. This method serves as only one example of ways consumers and developers are investing in eco-conscious beliefs and principles.  

Looking to make your luxury home more sustainable? We can help. Connect with us.

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