This article explores how sustainable materials are changing interiors and shaping the future of homes and workspaces. How Sustainable Materials Are Changing Interiors is not just about aesthetics but about responsibility — from reducing embodied carbon to creating durable, recyclable products. The author explains how responsible leaders and manufacturers are driving this shift, offering transparency, innovative solutions, and a design philosophy where sustainability and sophistication go hand in hand.
The New Vocabulary of Design
The interiors of tomorrow will not be judged by how they look under perfect lighting, but by
the invisible choices that shape them. In a world where design is increasingly expected to be as intelligent as it is beautiful, the true measure of a space is now found in the origins,
performance, and afterlife of its materials. The question is no longer “Does it look good?”
but “Does it do good, and for how long?” This evolution is redefining our creative vocabulary, shifting the conversation from finishes and colour palettes to carbon footprints
and circular lifecycles.
Beyond Aesthetics: Redefining Quality
Design today is judged by more than just what meets the eye. The story behind the materials, how they are sourced, how they perform, and what becomes of them when their
job is done, is now central to how we define truly great interiors. This evolution is transforming not only our aesthetic sensibilities but also the very foundations of how
homes, offices, and public spaces are imagined, built, and maintained. This shift is not
simply a matter of environmental responsibility; it is a reinvention of quality itself. Among
responsible leaders in the sector, there is a growing conviction that sustainable materials
deliver benefits far beyond reducing emissions, unlocking new possibilities for design,
durability, and long-term value creation.
The Urgency of Change
The urgency for this transformation is undeniable. In 2022, the International Energy Agency reported that the buildings sector was responsible for roughly one-third of global energy-related emissions when both operational and embodied carbon are considered. While operational carbon from heating, cooling, and powering buildings has long been in the spotlight, embodied carbon is now getting the attention it deserves. These are the emissions embedded in the production, transport, and disposal of materials, and they are inseparable from the way we choose to design our interiors. Reducing embodied carbon requires rethinking every material choice, from the flooring we walk on, to the cabinets we interact with daily, to the panels that frame our spaces. The responsibility of forward-looking organisations is to ensure that these choices are not compromises, that sustainable
products meet or exceed the performance, beauty, and longevity expected by clients.
Circularity and Endurance
Sustainable materials in interiors are no longer a niche preference. They are fast becoming
the baseline for responsible design. This includes surfaces derived from recycled PET bottles, cabinetry elements made from reclaimed wood, and polymers formulated with bio-based feedstocks. What defines these materials is not just their origin, but their endurance. A surface that lasts decades, resists wear, and can be recycled at the end of its life has a much lower environmental footprint than one that needs frequent replacement. This design-for-circularity approach, where a product’s end-of-life is planned from the beginning, is now a hallmark of early adopters. At REHAU, we have translated this principle into tangible solutions, with eco-labelled surface materials and edge bands that incorporate recycled content without compromising colour fidelity, tactile feel, or resilience. The goal is simple: to make sustainable choices an upgrade, not a trade-off.
Scale and Impact
The global interior design market was valued at US$ 134 billion in 2023 and continues to
grow steadily. Even marginal improvements in material selection at this scale can have an
enormous impact. Choosing recycled-content laminates for a large-scale residential project
can divert tonnes of plastic waste from landfills. Specifying polymer profiles with known
recycling pathways can ensure that today’s design decisions lead to tomorrow’s resource
recovery, not waste. These are not hypothetical scenarios. They are the practical,
measurable outcomes of conscious sourcing, and they are rapidly becoming a deciding
factor for clients, whether in corporate boardrooms or family living rooms.
A Data-Driven Approach for Designers
For architects and designers, this shift calls for a more rigorous, data-driven approach to
material selection. Beauty and budget are still vital, but now they sit alongside verifiable
sustainability metrics. Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessments have
become essential tools, providing clear data on a product’s carbon footprint, recyclability,
and resource use. At REHAU, we provide this information proactively, as part of our
responsibility to empower designers with transparency so they can make confident,
informed choices. Designing with repairability and modular replacement in mind is also
gaining momentum, ensuring that individual components can be upgraded without
dismantling an entire installation. This not only extends a product’s lifespan but also
minimises future waste and costs.
Advantages of Sustainable Materials
Sustainable materials bring advantages that are often underestimated. They tend to
perform better over time, maintaining their structural and aesthetic integrity longer than
conventional alternatives. This translates into fewer replacements, lower maintenance
costs, and improved client satisfaction. They also act as a safeguard against the rapid
evolution of regulations. Governments across the world are introducing rules mandating
minimum recycled content and stricter carbon reporting standards. By adopting sustainable
materials now, specifiers and developers stay ahead of compliance and ahead of the market. Most importantly, in an era where conscious consumerism is on the rise, offering
verifiably sustainable interiors is a powerful brand differentiator. Clients are increasingly
making purchasing decisions that reflect their values, and they expect their homes, offices,
and commercial spaces to do the same.
Overcoming the Challenges
Challenges remain. The availability of certain bio-based materials is still limited in some
regions. Recycling infrastructure is uneven, and certification systems vary widely. While
upfront costs for some sustainable options can be higher, these are increasingly offset by
lifecycle savings and added brand value. The solution lies in collaboration. Policymakers,
industry bodies, and manufacturers must work together to expand access, harmonise
standards, and invest in scalable recycling systems. Innovation in material science will
continue to play a central role in unlocking new possibilities.
The Next Chapter of Design
The era of interiors being judged purely on aesthetic merit is over. The next chapter of
design will be written by those who can marry beauty with responsibility, creating spaces
that speak as eloquently to our values as they do to our senses. The most enduring projects will be those where every detail, from the finish on a cabinet door to the texture of a tabletop, reflects a conscious choice for a better future.
For REHAU and other responsible leaders, this is not a marketing stance but a design philosophy: sustainability and sophistication are not opposing ideals, they are the twin
pillars of great design. The interiors we shape today will become our legacy tomorrow and
that legacy should be as enduring as it is inspiring.
About the Author: Tushar Verma is Executive Vice President at REHAU India, where
he is responsible for driving the company’s growth and innovation in the region.
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