At Design & Décor Source Group (DSG), our designers come into contact with numerous materials on a daily basis—from wall tile, to flooring, to wall coverings, and many more. As the attention to sustainable practices increases, so does the growth of eco-friendly material options. One of the most common materials used is reclaimed wood. Using reclaimed wood in a store’s décor can give that store a sense of warmth and familiarity. Both bamboo and cork are natural materials that have high growth rates, which make them very eco-friendly. While bamboo can be used in construction, we typically see it used on the decorative side, and cork is a common element used in floor tiles. Another flooring material we still see being used is terrazzo, which is made from recycled glass chips, marble scraps, and cement. The durability of terrazzo can be a huge advantage as it can last up to 40 years when maintained properly. In addition to floors, terrazzo is also found as tables, on walls, and even the basin of a bathroom sink. Design materials are not the only category we are seeing growth in eco-friendly options. Lighting companies are also joining in. The lighting manufacturer, Weplight, makes a real wood light fixture, using only local Argentine reclaimed wood for each shade. These fixtures ship flat and are assembled on site, which helps decrease the amount of packaging material needed to get it safely shipped to its final destination.
While some eco-friendly products can be more expensive than the alternative, the benefits can outweigh the additional cost. In a recent study by Glow and NielsenIQ, researchers found that consumers are aligning their purchases with their values, especially in the younger generations. This isn’t just in the products they buy, but also where they shop. In the study, companies that were more focused on sustainability had higher sales and market share than their competitors. Whether you are reusing actual pieces of wood from an old barn for department signage, selecting a flooring material with a high recycled content, or upgrading to LED lighting, there are many options in the growing list of eco-friendly materials.
