Innovative designers are increasingly using unexpected materials such as mushroom mycelium, vegan leather, seaweed fabrics, recycled plastics, and repurposed textiles to create sustainable furniture with a circular lifespan. The market for circular home goods is projected to reach €45 billion by 2030, driven by demand for environmentally conscious products.
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Design firms like Particle in New York and Los Angeles have created furniture from repurposed textiles, denim, and industrial waste, including discarded sneaker soles. Milan-based designer Davide Balda has transformed unsold garments and textile waste into raw materials for architecture and furnishings, emphasising local recycling rather than exporting surplus. Similarly, Rotterdam's The New Raw produces 3D-printed outdoor furniture from recycled plastics sourced from local waste streams.
Plant-based materials are also gaining attention. Polish studio Husarska uses hemp combined with plant adhesives as a wood alternative, while the Rockwell Group showcased cork-based interiors in their exhibition "Casa Cork", highlighting cork's low environmental impact and regenerative properties.
Design curators stress that sustainable materials must combine aesthetics with practicality. Juan Torres of DesignWanted notes that while widespread adoption is still emerging, the industry is "shifting" towards environmentally responsible, circular design. These innovations suggest a growing trend where design becomes both functional and morally accountable.
Source: www.ktvz.com
