The design industry has embraced sustainable and eco-friendly materials for more than two decades. “Interest in eco-friendly materials really picked up in the early 2000s as people became more aware of climate change and environmental issues,” said Patricia Derpinski, lead designer and owner of Hudson Holiday Decor.

The push toward sustainability grew alongside movements like “slow design” developed by Alastair Fuad-Luke and Carolyn F. Strauss, which emphasized thoughtful, long-lasting choices, offered Derpinski. “Brands like West Elm and IKEA helped make sustainable decor more mainstream,” she said.

The pandemic also created interest, according to Nitya Seth, an interior designer that uses sustainable and ergonomic principles, “as people started paying more attention to the quality of air in indoor environments and limiting the negative effects of their activity on the environment.” 

Photo credit: Kat Alves Studio

What Products Are More Eco-Friendly

Products made with natural materials and synthetics made to look natural are popular, according to Leah Connolly, owner and principal designer at Studio Connolly, an environmentally conscious residential interior design firm.

She’s also used fabrics made of linen and cotton in recent projects. “Wallpaper with natural and botanical patterns are also trending, which goes along with the concept of biophilia — images of nature have the same calming effect on our brains as being in nature itself,” she said.

Other materials currently popular include:

Fabrics:
Organic cotton
Hemp
Bamboo fabrics

Wallcoverings:
Cork
Grasscloth 

Flooring:
Bamboo
Reclaimed wood

Photo credit: Errez Design

Upcycling is a eco-friendly technique that repurposes materials rather than discarding them. For example, Pam Hutter, a principal at Hutter Architects, has seen people use old doors to create dining tables and turn kitchen cabinets into a bathroom vanity. “This not only saves resources but adds unique character to a space, aligning form with function seamlessly,” she said.

Reclaimed wood is another popular eco-friendly material. “It brings a sense of history and depth to a space,” said Ruben Gutierrez, founder of Errez Design. “Think about it: you’re inviting pieces into your home that have held up barns, supported old factories or weathered decades of use. It’s imperfect and raw, and that’s where its charm lies. It’s not just a material; it’s a story you can see and feel.”

Photo credit: Evie Graham

How to Find Eco-Friendly Design Materials

Look for certified non-toxic products (i.e. OEKO-TEX or Greenguard) to ensure that even if the product is made of synthetic or plastic fibers, it won’t release harmful fumes into the home, advised Connolly. “Indoor air quality has gone down significantly in the last several years so it’s important not to add to the problem,” she said.

“When selecting your materials, think about where they come from, how they’re made and if they can be recycled or composted later,” said Derpinski. “Sustainable choices not only lower environmental impact, but they’re often healthier, avoiding harmful chemicals and lasting longer.”

You can also try to source your products locally. “It reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation, making it a more sustainable choice compared to importing materials,” explained Gutierrez.

His firm did just that for a project in Costa Rica by using local hand-crafted tiles made from local clay and water with natural pigments. “We love how these not only enhance the design, but also contributed to our goal of being eco-friendly,” he said. “Similarly the entry doors, much of the furniture, and ceilings were all made from local teak” (which has a natural resistance to pests, moisture and decay, making it last a long time, minimizing long-term environmental impact).

Considering materials that offer longevity is a sound strategy, according to Evie Graham, an interior designer who transitioned to sustainable waste management. “I installed natural fiber wallcoverings five years ago and they've aged beautifully compared to the synthetic ones I used previously,” she said. “Indoor air quality improvements became evident within weeks of switching to natural materials.”

A few years ago, she helped a client select locally-sourced wool carpeting instead of synthetic options. “The installation cost was higher but after two years, it still looks new while requiring minimal maintenance,” Graham said. “This experience exemplifies why sustainable choices often prove more cost-effective long-term.”

Photo credit: Errez Design

Little Changes Help Sustainability A Lot

Thrifting and repurposing are always a great option to increase sustainability in the home, offered Connolly. “But if you’re purchasing a brand new product, check the website of the company selling the product to find information about their eco-friendly business practices,” she said.

You should also always check the labels on fabrics and wall coverings to see if they are certified non-toxic. It’s important to look at certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for fabrics or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for wood products or certified environmentally friendly buildings through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to ensure the companies you buy from are complying with environmental and ethical requirements. 

Small things can add up when embracing more eco-friendly décor. “It could start with the most minimal changes, such as buying natural fiber rugs or (volatile organic compounds) VOC-free paints,” said Jay Soni, the founder/CEO of Yorkshire Fabric Shop. “These might seem like tiny things, but it makes a huge difference in our homes’ total environmental footprint.”

Seth also recommended replacing synthetic material with organic ones (like jute or seagrass) in items such as curtains, bedding, upholstery, pillows or throws. “Going green with backsplashes or countertops: glass tiles that have been recycled are also useful in the kitchen,” she added.

When embracing a more sustainable position, it’s not about achieving perfection, offered Gutierrez. “It’s about taking those first steps toward a more thoughtful, mindful approach to design,” he said.

“Ultimately, sustainable design is about honesty,” according to Gutierrez. “It’s materials that don’t hide where they come from — wood that proudly shows its knots and grain, textiles that have a natural, unrefined feel. It’s about creating spaces that are as authentic as they are beautiful, and in a world that’s increasingly focused on the next big thing, that kind of timelessness feels refreshingly real.”

Photo credit Errez Design

Start upcycling today! Learn how to restore and refinish your furniture.

Photo credit: Kat Alves Studio

Featured photo by Errez Design.