Sustainable Materials in Interior Design: Future-Proof Spaces
Sustainable Materials in Interior Design: Where Form Meets Function—and the Future
Imagine this; you're stepping into your home, and there's reclaimed oak flooring under foot that feels full of stories. Your eye travels to lime-washed walls that softly embrace the morning light. Your hand travels over the hand-hewn stone countertop that feels perfectly settled, like it grew into your home. These are more than design decisions. These are values; visible values. These are decisions that reflect your story and concern for the world beyond your walls.
At L+P Interiors, we believe that sustainability and style are not opposing forces—they’re best friends. As an award-winning Sausalito-based interior design firm, we’re known for crafting bespoke, deeply personal spaces that honor the people who live in them. We take that same care when selecting sustainable materials in interior design, because design should support your lifestyle and the planet.
Let’s explore how sustainable design choices can look (and feel) just as elevated as they are intentional.
Why Sustainable Materials Matter
In today’s world—where climate change, resource scarcity, and health-conscious living are top of mind—interior design plays a bigger role than ever. Choosing sustainable materials isn’t just about doing “what’s right.” It’s about doing what lasts.
From climate-friendly building practices to improved indoor air quality, sustainable interiors are smarter, healthier, and often more beautiful. According to the EPA, sustainable materials reduce environmental impact by minimizing waste and maximizing reuse. The U.S. Green Building Council also points out that low-emission finishes and furnishings can drastically improve the air we breathe inside our homes.
At L+P Interiors, we think about sustainability in the same way as we think about storytelling: carefully, creatively and delightfully, with your life in the center. Sustainability could be a style for some. For us, sustainability is a strategy. It’s making choices where materials are not only purposefully utilized, but also thoughtfully chosen so they stay put physically and emotionally with what you want. Everyone's sustainability looks different given the architecture you are working with, your lifestyle and what is important to you as an individual.
Core Sustainable Materials We Love to Work With
So what constitutes a sustainable, soulful home? Take a look at some of our favorite eco-conscious interior design materials in the way we incorporate them into projects throughout Belvedere, St. Helena, Nantucket and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area.
1. Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood offers texture, history, and instant character. It’s wood that’s been salvaged from barns, old factories, or even sunken logs—giving it a second life while minimizing demand for new lumber.
Where we use it: flooring, ceiling beams, built-ins, custom furniture
Why we love it: It brings warmth and authenticity that you simply can’t fake.
In one of our Belvedere projects, we sourced reclaimed oak beams from a local timberyard to echo the original architecture of a 1920s home. They didn’t just “look right”—they felt like they had always belonged.
2. Natural Stone
Stone is as timeless as it is tough. Materials like marble, soapstone, and limestone have low embodied energy, meaning they require minimal processing and are incredibly long-lasting.
Perfect for: countertops, powder rooms, fireplace surrounds
Style tip: Natural stone pairs beautifully with modern lighting and brass or blackened metal accents.
We recently used honed limestone in a kitchen project on the SF Peninsula, creating a calm, refined surface that won’t go out of style.
3. Low-VOC Paints + Natural Wall Finishes
Conventional paints can emit harmful chemicals for months after application. Enter low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and finishes like clay plasters and limewash. They’re safer for indoor air and offer an earthy, matte texture that’s incredibly elegant.
Why it matters: Your walls make up the largest surface area in your home—why not make them breathable?
On a Nantucket project, we used limewash in a soft grey-blue to echo the coastal sky. It gave the space a weathered, lived-in beauty—without harsh chemicals.
4. Organic Textiles
Fabrics matter. Natural fibers like linen, wool, organic cotton, and hemp not only feel better but also perform better over time.
Applications: drapery, upholstery, cushions, bedding
Our sourcing standard: GOTS-certified textiles that are sustainably grown and ethically produced
We frequently collaborate with Coyuchi, a textile company based in the Bay Area that is the leader in organic home linens. Picture airy linen sheers in a sunroom, or wool bouclé on a cozy reading chair - natural, breathable, and luxurious.
5. Recycled + Locally Made Tiles and Surfaces
We love sourcing materials locally for two reasons. First is to lower transportation emissions and second is to support makers who care. Recycled tiles are especially interesting for us, particularly from brands like Fireclay Tile.
Great for: bathrooms, backsplashes, mudrooms
Sustainability bonus: Fireclay is a Certified B Corp and uses recycled clay + glass in their tile production.
In a Marin renovation, we used blush-colored recycled tile in a powder room to add charm with a conscience. The result? Playful, durable, and one-of-a-kind.
Story-Driven Sustainability: How L+P Interiors Do It Differently
For us, materials aren’t just about specs—they’re about storytelling. Every home we design begins with the question: What do you want this space to say about you?
In a St. Helena project, we salvaged beams from the client’s family barn and reimagined them as ceiling pieces in the great room. The result was more than a design moment—it was a memory-made material.
At L+P Interiors, sustainable design is the intersection of elegance and emotion. It is the vintage Danish credenza chosen over a big-box console. It supports patina over perfection. It promotes local artisans who work to honor the planet and its people.
“Every texture and tone has a reason—because your home should whisper your story, sustainably.”
Ready to write your next chapter? Start your design journey with us.
Working With Suppliers Who Care
Great design begins with great relationships, including with our sourcing partners. We screen every vendor for beauty, but also for integrity.
Here are a few of our valued partnerships:
Fireclay Tile: Handcrafted, eco-certified ceramic tile made in California
Urban Wood Rescue: Diverts trees from landfills and mills them into usable lumber
Coyuchi: Organic, GOTS-certified textiles rooted in coastal California
BDDW: American-made heirloom furnishings with artisanal craftsmanship
We believe in: Buying less, choosing well, and making it last. We won't put filler furniture in your home or fast-trend finishes in your space. Every piece we place has been selected with intention, and often comes with its own story.
What to Avoid: Greenwashing + Low-Quality Shortcuts
It’s important to note that not everything marked “green” is sustainable. We help identify the pitfalls of:
Hyped-up “eco” labels that don’t substantiate their claims
Composite materials that off-gas and decompose
Fast furniture made for a single lease term
Our design process cuts through the clutter. We do the research, so you can focus on living your best life—not your most eco-friendly one.
Sustainable Luxury Is More Accessible Than You Think
You don’t need a gut renovation to make a sustainable impact. Whether you’re updating a room or furnishing a new build, sustainable design can scale to fit you.
Here’s how we make it work:
Furnishing a Nantucket guest cottage? Let's find vintage and eco-textiles.
Refreshing a San Francisco dining room? We'll point you to low-VOC paints and high-quality finishes that are classic and long-lasting.
Planning a ground-up build in Wine Country? We'll include materials that are comfortable to the land and light.
“Whether you’re doing a kitchen refresh or a ground-up build, we’re here to bring soulful sustainability to your space.”
Final Thought: Design a Home with Heart + Impact
Your house is not just a structure, it's your nest, your platform, your narrative. Sustainable materials mean you are designing not just for today, but for future generations.
At L+P Interiors, we help you tell that story with style, passion, and significance. We don't just decorate—we design lives, one layer at a time.
Interested in adding meaningful, eco-friendly beauty to your space?
👉 Let’s talk.
📞 Or give us a call at +1 (415) 987-5986
📧 Or drop a line to hello@larkandpalm.com
SOURCES
FAQs
Q1: Which of the following is an example of a sustainable material used in interior design?
A: Common sustainable materials used in interior design include bamboo, reclaimed wood, cork, recycled metal, low-VOC paints, and organic cotton. These materials are renewable, non-toxic, and often biodegradable—making them ideal for eco-friendly interiors.
Q2: What is sustainable design in interior design?
A: Sustainable interior design is the practice of creating spaces that reduce environmental impact by using eco-conscious materials, energy-efficient systems, and long-lasting design principles. It balances aesthetics, functionality, and responsibility to the planet.
Q3: What are four things interior designers and their clients do to sustain natural resources for future generations?
A:
Choose renewable or recycled materials (e.g., bamboo, recycled glass)
Use energy-efficient lighting and appliances
Incorporate natural ventilation and daylighting
Support local and ethically sourced products to reduce carbon footprint
Q4: What is the 70/30 rule in interior design?
A: The 70/30 rule in interior design suggests that 70% of a room’s decor should follow a dominant style or color scheme, while 30% can contrast or complement it with accents. This rule also applies in sustainable design—for example, using 70% eco-friendly materials and 30% mixed or reclaimed accents to balance design and functionality.
Q5: What are examples of sustainable interior design projects?
A: Examples include homes with reclaimed hardwood floors, LEED-certified office spaces, zero-VOC painted walls, furniture made from FSC-certified wood, and interiors using natural insulation like sheep wool or cork.
Q6: Where can I find sustainable interior design materials?
A: Sustainable materials can be found at specialized eco-friendly suppliers, green building stores, or through certified brands like Interface (carpet tiles), Vetrazzo (recycled glass), and PaperStone (composite surfaces made from recycled paper).
