Creative Take on Sustainable Design For Your Home

Sustainable design is no longer a concept but a practice for many furniture and decor companies. From sustainably sourced and recycled materials to reclaimed wood, many brands embrace a more sustainable approach in their designs. These practices have become part of operations and how brands design their products.

The Maison&Object interior design and lifestyle show in Paris is a great place to see how companies innovate their designs by embracing sustainable practices. From furniture and fabrics to candles, glassware and other accessories, here are some of the brands embracing new ways of decorating homes.

What is sustainable design?

Incorporating sustainability into interior design can be achieved through several key methods, such as using reclaimed, recycled, and ethically sourced materials. But what does that actually mean? Here are some of the most common methods, ensuring that our living spaces not only look good but also do good for the planet.

Reclaimed materials

Reclaimed materials have lived previous lives before being repurposed for new use. This includes wood from old barns turned into stunning tables or bricks from demolished buildings used in feature walls. The charm of reclaimed materials lies not only in their unique character and story but also in their contribution to reducing the demand for new resources. By giving these materials a second life, we significantly reduce the environmental impact of extracting and processing virgin materials.

Recycled content

Recycling has long been championed as a key to sustainable living, and its principles extend beautifully into interior design. Recycled content refers to products made from materials diverted from the waste stream. For instance, glass bottles can be transformed into elegant countertop surfaces and plastic bottles into durable, attractive textiles for upholstery. Utilizing recycled content helps reduce landfill waste and lowers the carbon footprint of producing new materials from scratch.

Ethically sourced materials

At the core of ethical sourcing is a commitment to environmental preservation and social responsibility. Ethically sourced materials are obtained in ways that do not harm the environment or exploit labor. This includes responsibly harvested wood, organic textiles, and items produced by artisans who are fairly compensated for their work. Incorporating ethically sourced materials into interior design ensures that our aesthetic choices align with a broader commitment to sustainability and fairness.

Originalhome

Originalhome is a company based in the Netherlands. It focuses on eco-friendly and ethical home decor and gifts, and 75% of its collection is made from waste materials. The company is also committed to fair trade by working with small social entrepreneurs from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Tanzania and donating to social causes.

Originalhome offers an impressive collection of sustainable home decor and accessories, including throws and cushions, glassware, kitchenware, candle and lampshades, furniture baskets and trays. Using waste materials like bottle caps, upcycled wine bottles, teak root, recycled fabrics and reclaimed wood, it creates stylish and non-toxic items that are perfect in any home. The brand is heavily focused on giving back, supporting and empowering women-led businesses and helping everyone create more sustainable homes.

Segula

Segula is a small Dutch company that focuses on environmental protection and resource-saving production. It offers a line of designer paper lamps that are changing our perception of what paper can transform into. These lamps are available in different shapes and sizes and can easily fit into any home decor and style.

Each lamp is handmade and unique. All materials, including cardboard, cable, electronic components and packaging, are completely recyclable and, in some cases, biodegradable. The lamps come in round or oval shapes with spiral or ring-shaped patterns and can be grouped together for a more dramatic effect.

Dareels

The Spanish company Dareels is committed to sustainable development practices and respecting the environment. It believes that sustainability starts with design, and this concept is the driving force behind the company. From fully recovered teak furniture and water-based chemical-free finishes to recycled textiles and vegetable fibers, Dareels is committed to making sure its products are sustainable and stylish. 

The company prides itself on the fact that its products are hand-made by skilled artisans. The handcrafted details are evident in the braided fabrics and the beautiful and complex engravings and carvings. Dareels has a collection of indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories that appeal to anyone looking for sustainable and ethically sourced products.

Bequadro

Traditional crystal is made from silica, which is obtained through an environmentally destructive mining process. The Japanese company Bequadro, took on the challenge of making plant-based crystal alternatives by using silica-derived rice straws and husks. By doing so, the process eliminates greenhouse gas emissions and water and soil pollution.

Using a proprietary process, the company can extract silica from the rice husks and straw waste products left behind in rice cultivation. Silica is a mineral present in soil and is absorbed and stored by the rice plants. Extracting it from waste materials reduces the need to mine it and generates renewable energy and fertilizer. The crystal produced from this process looks and feels the same way the traditionally sourced one does and is better for the environment and your home.

Conclusion

As you can see, many companies are embracing sustainable practices as part of their operations. It's now a standard rather than an anomaly, and more and more brands are choosing to create furniture and decor items for homes that are functional, appealing and environmentally sound.