5 Sustainability Trends in Commercial Interiors

Sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s a priority for designers in every industry. It’s a priority for consumers too. Consumers are educated, suspicious of greenwashing, and willing to pay more for products made sustainably. The interior design community is responding to this consumer demand. In honor of Earth Day, we researched how designers are thinking about sustainability and what sustainability trends are happening in commercial interiors in 2023.

We saw five sustainability trends in commercial interiors.

Measurable Outcomes

Transparency is essential when it comes to sustainability. Many firms set measurable goals at the outset of a project to ensure they follow through on their intentions throughout an entire project.

Intentional Waste Disposal

Consumers are concerned with the quantity of waste generated while manufacturing a product and shipping it to its final destination. Additionally, they want to know what happens to this product at the end of its life cycle. As more and more manufacturers factor these considerations into a product’s design, interior designers prioritize those materials and products and think about intentional waste disposal from the beginning.

3D Printing & On-Demand Printing

One way to cut down on waste is to only make what you need when you need it through processes such as 3D printing and on-demand printing. This type of manufacturing eliminates the need to keep inventory on shelves that may or may not ever be sold.

Sourcing Local

Using materials that need to travel shorter distances helps reduce carbon emissions and is less susceptible to disruptions in our global supply chain. Additionally, it can add a local flavor to a project and positively impact the local community. As more companies consider their triple bottom line (profit, people, plant), this helps meet that goal.

Biophilic Design

Bringing nature into spaces serves an aesthetic purpose, but designers also see it as adding an element of wellness to a space. It also allows designers the opportunity to include natural materials and create an environment conducive to good mental health.

As we all work to help protect our earth and its resources, designers are uniquely positioned. They are at the lead toward a more sustainable, less wasteful future. Whether designing cruise ships, office buildings, or hotels, interior designers’ choices have lasting impacts on a project and the planet.