What is Sustainable Interior Design?

design

MARCH '25

Do you need it in your home and in your headspace? Much of the furniture, decor and so forth in a home is unnecessary. Just because something is sustainably made (locally, ethically and out of renewable materials) and it ‘sparks joy’ does not justify an item's presence. Sometimes so many functional objects can even reach the point of becoming decorative. Just because something is in good shape doesn’t mean we should keep it. Mindful consumption involves asking whether an item will enhance your life or merely add to the chaos. An added layer to this is checking in if a piece is needed visually in a space- the space should feel light enough for you to feel at ease in your home.

Another way to give your home a refreshing feel is by changing up your home’s aroma. Seasonal scents can have a big impact on our mood and overall well-being, so consider making a seasonal room spray, adding in essential oils or lemon into your cleaning routines, and changing out your candles. For example, light and citrusy scents like lemon and eucalyptus are perfect for the spring and summer, while warm and spicy scents like cinnamon and cloves are better suited for the fall and winter. Even conditioning or polishing the natural woods in your home can include adding in scents. Check out some of our favorite room scents and home cleaners: 

Necessity 

Longevity  and Sustainable Materials 

It's Not  a Trend

With consumer spending at an all time record high in the US- the need for all of us to reevaluate the way we tackle interior design is a necessity. There is a huge push, especially when you first move into a new space, to go out and purchase a whole bunch of new furniture, decor, supplies and appliances. Sustainable Interior Design is a counter to following these interior design trends by trying to connect people to pieces that are made sustainably, ethically and locally that they will have for a lifetime. It also encompasses the idea of timeless design, sourcing locally and creating an energy efficient home.

Looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact goes beyond merely considering what an object is made from; it encompasses the entire lifecycle of a product. Factors such as the distance an item is shipped, the materials used for packaging, and how factories utilize leftover pieces from the design process are all crucial components of sustainability. Ideally, the supply chain for every item in your home would be transparent as well. Ensuring workers' rights and safety during furniture production should be a top priority. It is also essential to select suppliers who prioritize safe working conditions, eco-friendly production methods, and provide employees with livable wages throughout the entire supply chain.

The rise of companies like Amazon and Wayfair has intensified the pressure to create the lowest price points for consumers while maintaining high profitability, leading to a decline in company and consumer standards.

Waste Reduction and Sourcing Locally  First 

Part of choosing natural materials stems from the fact that they often require significantly less time and energy to prepare them for use, making them a much more sustainable option. In comparison to plastic, which undergoes extensive processing and chemical treatments, materials like wood, stone, and clay demand minimal processing energy, allowing them to be sourced and utilized more efficiently while reducing their overall environmental footprint. 

Energy Efficiency

Blog written by Lieske 

Thanks for reading! Be sure to read our other blogs found here.

Here at Coastal Interiors we focus on finding companies that won’t make you question what happened between it being made and it arriving in your space. Here are some of our favorite companies that we source from regularly: 




Jenni Kayne Home- Jenni Kayne is a clothing and furnishings company that focuses on creating quality products that are made fairly and ethically. They are extremely transparent when it comes to sourcing, materiality and shipping practices. Any products purchased from their Eco Group collection also contribute to planting a tree.


Schumacher- Schumacher works with Borastapeter, a global leader in wallcovering sustainability, to produce their wallpapers ethically here in the USA. They focus on utilizing natural and recycled fibers for their products, ensuring responsible manufacturing processes and reducing carbon emissions in their shipment practices. 


Kravet- Kravet is a major leader in the sustainable furniture movement, and in ensuring that employees are treated and compensated fairly at all levels of manufacturing. They utilize recycled materials, sustainably harvested wood, and natural materials. In terms of shipping, Kravet works to offset their emissions, making their shipping process carbon neutral, and they primarily use recyclable materials for packaging.







Sustainable Companies We Love:

Sundays- Sundays believes true sustainability is the whole life-cycle of a product, so quality, natural materials, and multi-functionality are integral to our philosophy at Sundays. They reduce their environmental footprint, through "fewer, better things," quality furniture, and timeless design that stands the test of time. They have sustainable packaging and returned items are donated to local charities when possible.

Couch- Couch uses kiln dried NW Alder, low VOC wood glue and water-based stains in all our frames. Their standard foam is a product called Certipur, which is free of the big-name flame retardants like chlorinated tris, PBDE’s and formaldehyde. For clients who are looking for materials that are 100% natural, we offer cotton linen and wool options. COUCH also carries a line of natural fibers that are organic and have low environmental impact production processes. 


Tirto- Oh, how we love Tirto. Their handmade teak furniture is handcrafted by the carpenters in their workshop in E. Java, Indonesia. Striving to be environmentally responsible, they use mostly salvaged materials from torn down houses, railroad ties, old furniture, as well as sustainably grown teak. Employees are paid above market hourly wages, provided health benefits, and in many situations they will pay for employee’s children to attend school.

Remember, a sustainable lifestyle is not about being perfect.

Living a sustainable lifestyle isn’t about perfection—it’s about making mindful choices and doing our best with what we have. Small steps, like reducing waste, choosing reusable items, and supporting ethical brands, all add up to make a difference. Some days will be easier than others, and that’s okay. What matters most is the effort, the awareness, and the willingness to keep trying. Sustainability isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being better, one step at a time.

Tirto- Oh, how we love Tirto. Their handmade teak furniture is handcrafted by the carpenters in their workshop in E. Java, Indonesia. Striving to be environmentally responsible, they use mostly salvaged materials from torn down houses, railroad ties, old furniture, as well as sustainably grown teak. Employees are paid above market hourly wages, provided health benefits, and in many situations they will pay for employee’s children to attend school.


Couch- Couch uses kiln dried NW Alder, low VOC wood glue and water-based stains in all our frames. Their standard foam is a product called Certipur, which is free of the big-name flame retardants like chlorinated tris, PBDE’s and formaldehyde. For clients who are looking for materials that are 100% natural, we offer cotton linen and wool options. COUCH also carries a line of natural fibers that are organic and have low environmental impact production processes.


Sundays- Sundays believes true sustainability is the whole life-cycle of a product, so quality, natural materials, and multi-functionality are integral to our philosophy at Sundays. They reduce their environmental footprint, through "fewer, better things," quality furniture, and timeless design that stands the test of time. They have sustainable packaging and returned items are donated to local charities when possible.

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