What Designing Sustainably Actually Looks Like
“Sustainable design” — it’s one of those phrases that sounds both admirable and slightly exhausting. You picture yourself scrutinizing textile labels, pricing solar panels, or weaving your own organic throw pillows out of recycled dryer lint.
Let’s take a deep breath and step back. Sustainable design doesn’t have to mean austere minimalism or a bland beige box with a single potted plant. It means creating a beautiful home that’s gentle on the planet and on your wallet — all while reflecting your personality instead of your carbon footprint.
Sounds good? Great. Let’s break it down.
image credit: Simone Haag and photographed by Timothy Kaye.
1. Rethink “New” — It’s Overrated
The biggest environmental cost in home decor isn’t how you dust your shelves, it’s how those shelves came to exist in the first place. New furniture = trees cut, plastics molded, fossil fuels burned, factories whirring. Multiply that by every new piece you haul into your house over the years — it adds up.
So, if you really want to design more sustainably, the smartest thing you can do is…
image credit: Tali Roth
2. Shop What Already Exists
Surprise! The secret sauce to a sustainable home is not a high-tech gadget or a pricey eco-brand — it’s this: buy what’s already here.
Yes, I’m talking about secondhand treasures. Pre-loved, pre-made, pre-awesome. From antique dressers and mid-century coffee tables to quirky lamps and vintage rugs — the world is bursting with unique pieces begging for a new chapter in your home.
By choosing secondhand, you:
Skip the environmental cost of making new stuff
Keep perfectly good items out of landfills
Add personality and history to your space
Spend less and brag more
Seriously, what's not to love? I could go on and on.
3. Where to Unearth These Gems
Not sure where to start? Here’s where the real fun begins:
Thrift stores & charity shops: Uneven lighting, questionable music, but hidden gold.
Estate sales & auctions: Where you can snag timeless quality for a fraction of the original cost.
Online marketplaces: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, local buy-and-sell groups — a bottomless pit of potential.
Vintage boutiques: Slightly pricier but quality curated for your convenience (and sanity) - we might know of one or two
image credit: Poyton House, interior design by Simone Haag and photographed by Dylan James
4. Treat Them Well & Keep the Circle Going
Owning secondhand doesn’t mean your house looks like a yard sale exploded. Choose pieces you truly love. Fix them up if needed — a fresh coat of paint or new upholstery works wonders. And when you’re ready for a change, pass them along.
Congratulations: you just designed sustainably and became part of a circular economy.
That’s a fancy way of saying you’re a good human who happens to have amazing taste.
In Conclusion: Less New, More You
Next time you’re tempted by a fast furniture ad, remember — your dream home doesn’t need to be shipped from a warehouse overnight. Instead, take your time, design sustainably. Buy secondhand. Live beautifully. The planet (and your wallet) will thank you.
-Juliette
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