Last updated on Jan 27, 2024

What are the best eco-friendly materials for commercial upholstery?

If you are looking for ways to make your commercial interior design more eco-friendly, one of the key aspects to consider is the choice of upholstery materials. Upholstery covers a large surface area of your furniture and can have a significant impact on the environmental footprint of your project. But what are the best eco-friendly materials for commercial upholstery? Here are some factors to keep in mind and some examples of sustainable options.

1 Durability and maintenance

One of the main criteria for selecting eco-friendly upholstery materials is how durable and easy to maintain they are. You want to avoid materials that wear out quickly, require frequent cleaning or replacement, or generate waste and emissions. Some of the most durable and low-maintenance materials are natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, hemp, and wool. These materials are biodegradable, renewable, and breathable, and can withstand heavy use and stains. They also come in a variety of colors and textures, and can be blended with other fibers for added strength and resistance.

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Daniel Burns

Managing Director @ Harbur Park & Leisure Homes
My go to choices right now are HEMP & RECYCLED FABRICS. We need to be choosing these more and more. With both you get durability, they're sustainable and most importantly, they look awesome!
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Joel Mendoza

Arch'l Designer / 3D Artist & Visualizer / Revit Specialist / AI Artist
Several eco-friendly materials can be excellent choices for commercial upholstery due to their sustainability and durability: 1.Recycled Fabrics 2.Organic Cotton 3.Hemp 4.Bamboo 5.Recycled Leather 6.Wool 7.Tencel/Lyocell 8.Jute When choosing eco-friendly materials for commercial upholstery, consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements, and the specific aesthetic and functional needs of the space to ensure a suitable and sustainable choice.
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Sofía Galán Rubio

Arquitecta independiente
La durabilidad y mantenimiento de los tejidos son esenciales para abordar el problema ambiental generado por la industria textil, que representa un 10% de las emisiones de carbono global. Se destaca la importancia de evaluar el ciclo de vida completo de los procesos productivos, desde la producción hasta el final de la vida útil, considerando el impacto ecológico, las emisiones de carbono y los tóxicos utilizados.

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Precious Onagwa
There are a few eco-friendly materials that are popular for commercial upholstery, including natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and wool. Recycled materials, like recycled polyester, are also becoming increasingly popular. There are also several plant-based materials that are being used, such as cork, hemp, and bamboo. And, of course, leather can also be an eco-friendly option, depending on how it is sourced and processes.
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2 Recycled and reclaimed materials

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of your upholstery materials is to opt for recycled or reclaimed ones. These are materials that have been salvaged from other sources, such as plastic bottles, post-consumer textiles, or industrial scraps, and transformed into new fabrics. Recycled and reclaimed materials help to divert waste from landfills, save energy and water, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some examples of recycled and reclaimed upholstery materials are polyester, nylon, leather, and denim.

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Sofía Galán Rubio

Arquitecta independiente
La utilización de materiales reciclados, como el poliéster reciclado proveniente de botellas de plástico PET o prendas usadas, es una tendencia en la industria textil. Se señala la preocupación por las microfibras de plástico liberadas al lavar prendas de poliéster, lo que contribuye a problemas ecológicos, especialmente en los océanos.

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3 Organic and certified materials

If you want to ensure that your upholstery materials are not only eco-friendly, but also ethical and socially responsible, you can look for organic and certified materials. These are materials that have been grown or produced without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, or synthetic dyes, and that adhere to certain standards of quality, safety, and fair trade. Organic and certified materials are better for your health, the soil, the water, and the workers involved in the supply chain. Some examples of organic and certified upholstery materials are organic cotton, organic wool, GOTS-certified fabrics, and FSC-certified wood.

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Sofía Galán Rubio

Arquitecta independiente
Se aborda la problemática del algodón no orgánico, que utiliza grandes cantidades de pesticidas y representa riesgos para la salud de los trabajadores y el medio ambiente. Aunque se destaca el algodón orgánico como una alternativa más sostenible, se reconoce que también tiene desafíos, como el uso intensivo de agua y su transporte a largas distancias.

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Shikha Chugh

Architect + Business Developer
It's important to consider the entire lifecycle of the product, including manufacturing processes, transportation, and end-of-life disposal. Look for certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, or Cradle to Cradle to ensure that the materials meet specific environmental and social criteria.
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4 Innovative and alternative materials

Finally, if you want to explore some of the most cutting-edge and creative options for eco-friendly upholstery materials, you can check out some of the innovative and alternative materials that are emerging in the market. These are materials that are made from unconventional or novel sources, such as plants, fungi, algae, or bacteria, and that offer unique properties, such as biodegradability, compostability, or self-healing. Innovative and alternative materials are designed to challenge the status quo and offer new possibilities for sustainable and green design. Some examples of innovative and alternative upholstery materials are cork, mushroom leather, algae foam, and bacterial cellulose.

Choosing the best eco-friendly materials for commercial upholstery depends on your budget, style, and preferences, but also on your awareness and commitment to the environment and society. By considering these factors and examples, you can make informed and responsible decisions that will enhance your interior design project and benefit the planet.

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Inga-Lena Wagner

Interior Designer
Umweltfreundliche Materialien für gewerbliche Polstermöbel sind recycelte Stoffe, FSC-zertifiziertes Holz, naturlatexbasierte Polsterung und wasserbasierte Klebstoffe. Diese Optionen verringern Ressourcenverbrauch und Abfall. Innovative und alternative Materialien für nachhaltige Produkte können umfassen: recycelte Kunststoffe, Bio-Kunststoffe, Pilzleder, Bananenfasern und Upcycling von Materialien. Diese Optionen bieten umweltfreundliche Alternativen zu traditionellen Rohstoffen.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Nusaibah rashid

FOUNDER | CEO SABS&RAY INTERIORS | INTERIOR DESIGNER |AI ARTIST
For commercial upholstery, consider eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, or hemp. These options offer sustainability without compromising on style or durability.
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Sofía Galán Rubio

Arquitecta independiente
Se plantean preguntas clave sobre la procedencia de los tejidos, la sustitución de plásticos por tejidos naturales duraderos, la producción en ciclos cerrados para recuperar materiales textiles y la selección de tejidos naturales apropiados para diferentes espacios. Se resalta la importancia de evaluar no solo las emisiones y el reciclado, sino también los tóxicos presentes en los materiales reciclados y la necesidad de estándares más altos para estos materiales en la regulación de sustancias.

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Amparo Martínez Vidal

Architect | Linkedin Top Architectural & Interior Design Voice | Furniture Design & Interior Design | FF&E | Ex- (Vitra | Palladium Group Hotels)
Mi conocimiento sobre textiles ecológicos procede de mi experiencia en Vitra, que colaboraba asiduamente con Kvadrat. Es mejor optar por el "back to basics" y evitar, en cualquier caso, un posible contacto de la piel con productos químicos. La lana goza de una gran durabilidad, y el lino es más resistente a la suciedad. Por supuesto, los tejidos sintéticos, siempre fabricados con fibras recicladas, son muy demandados por su economía, y su menor porosidad, que facilita la limpieza y mantiene la forma del tapizado. Los aditivos antimanchas pueden ser prácticos, pero tampoco resultan beneficiosos para la salud, aunque es necesario contar con textiles ignífugos por normativas de hospitality y para evitar males mayores en espacios públicos.

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What are the best eco-friendly materials for commercial upholstery?

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1 Durability and maintenance

2 Recycled and reclaimed materials

3 Organic and certified materials

4 Innovative and alternative materials

5 Here’s what else to consider

Interior Design

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