Reflecting on 2024 in the Home Furnishings Industry

Reflecting on 2024: Sustainability Achievements and Predictions for the Home Furnishings Industry

As an eco-friendly interior designer and the founder of Eco Method Interiors, I find it important to take stock of the progress made in sustainability each year in the home furnishings industry. It has made noticeable strides in 2024. Though as political landscapes shift, and pressures on our Earth’s resources increase, it’s important to hold the line on striving for improvement. From the adoption of recycled materials to advancements in chemical safety, these efforts are encouraging and offer hope for continued progress in 2025.

2024: A Year of Notable, Gradual, Progress

While the industry still faces challenges in scaling sustainability initiatives, 2024 brought some meaningful achievements. Companies, certification bodies, and governments have all contributed to the growing momentum around eco-friendly practices and safer materials. Starting with the retail sector, there are examples from small niche companies to big box stores. For example, Recozy: This German company showcased innovative use of recycled materials and 3D printing to create locally produced decor and lighting with a strong circular design ethos. On the other end of the spectrum, West Elm: This retail company continued its investments in Fair Trade Certified and sustainably sourced products, incorporating recycled materials into over half of its wooden furniture lines.

At major industry events like the Ambiente Trade Fair, brands highlighted products made from upcycled and bio-based materials, reflecting a growing interest in resourceful design. Similarly, the Sustainable Furnishings Council’s presence at the High Point Market brought attention to actionable steps designers and retailers can take to reduce their environmental impact. Natural materials like hemp and bamboo have remained popular, alongside certifications like B-Corp, which continue to guide sustainable choices.

As an eco-friendly interior designer, I would be nowhere without 3rd party certification bodies. Organizations that do this important work made meaningful, though incremental, steps to tighten requirements in 2024:

• GOTS Standard 7.0: Reinforced its focus on organic fiber content and ethical practices by introducing a "duty of care" clause.
  
  
• OEKO-TEX: Strengthened PFAS restrictions and implemented measures to mitigate microplastic release in textile production.
  
  
• Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®): With newly implemented European policies, FSC increased educational outreach, tools, and standards for the regulation and importance of responsibly sourced wood.

These changes are part of an ongoing effort to ensure that sustainability claims in the industry are trustworthy and impactful.

Policy Advancements

Grass roots, citizen-led movements are very important on one side of the coin, especially in guiding the marketplace to where it needs to be. However, governments need to play a role in educating citizens and companies as to what should and shouldn’t be allowed, as well as holding these players accountable to certain standards. This year, governments played a role in improving the regulatory landscape for safer and more sustainable furnishings:

My home state, California, recently approved Senate Bill (SB) 707, the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 (the Act) – the first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) recycling program aimed to address textile waste in the U.S. While the fashion industry garners a lot of heat in this monumental environmental issue, I feel the home decor industry isn’t to be overlooked, and luckily the new law and operational outline agrees. California producers and facilities will need to account for the waste in common design and decor textiles including blankets, curtains, fabric window coverings, knitted and woven accessories, towels, tapestries, bedding, tablecloths, napkins, linens and pillows.

More examples include:

• United States: The EPA advanced risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), targeting chemicals like vinyl chloride and acetaldehyde for closer scrutiny.
  
  
• United Kingdom: Updated fire safety regulations reduced the reliance on chemical flame retardants in upholstered furniture.
  
  
• Canada: Introduced stricter rules on flammability and chemical content, aimed at protecting children and other vulnerable populations.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the conversation around sustainability deepens, 2025 is shaping up to build on the foundation laid this year. However, there are challenges ahead in scaling these solutions to meet broader industry demand. Here are some trends to watch:

🌿 Biophilic Design and Wellness: A continued, careful integration of natural elements and health-focused features into interiors.

♻️ Circular Design: Gradual adoption of modular furniture and repairable components designed to minimize waste.

🔍 Transparency: Simplified sustainability messaging to help consumers make more informed, eco-conscious choices.

💡 Innovation with Limits: While smart home solutions like wellness-integrated furnishings are intriguing, they will require careful consideration to balance functionality with sustainability.

The progress made in 2024 shows that change is possible, but it also reminds us how much work remains.

At Eco Method Interiors, I approach each project with a commitment to thoughtful, sustainable choices, knowing that every small step contributes to a larger goal. Here’s to a 2025 filled with continued dialogue, learning, and progress—one space at a time.