Kit by: Jesslyn Guntur
Architectural Marketing Coordinator | REX Architecture
Design and sustainability go hand and hand. Innovative design can and should be sustainable design, as in this day in age, given the pressing need to lower one’s environmental impact, innovation is often centered around how a product can incorporate sustainable materials and/or be made using energy efficient technologies (to name a few).
I made this kit to present a few examples of brands and products that balance interesting design and meaningful sustainability. Several of these brands also make earnest efforts to work environmental consciousness and social responsibility into their business models.
Lastly, before you go and explore my kit, keep in mind the term “hedonistic sustainability”, which is meant to convey how sustainability and smart design can be used to make physical objects and experiences more pleasurable, not less!
10-sustainable-design-products-sustainable-design-sustainable-home-decor-gifts
Discover 10 brilliantly designed, sustainable home decor products. Find sustainably designed furniture, eco-friendly gifts & sustainable bean bag chairs. Discover 10 brilliantly designed, sustainable home decor products. Find sustainably designed furniture, eco-friendly gifts & sustainable bean bag chairs. Discover 10 brilliantly designed, sustainable home decor products. Find sustainably designed furniture, eco-friendly gifts & sustainable bean bag chairs.
10 Brilliantly Designed, Sustainable Products
THINGS YOU SHOULD REALLY CONSIDER FOR YOUR HOME
Handmade, Reclaimed Natural Wood Wall Art – USA-Made
By: JaminPeterArt
A Better Alternative
If you’re looking for wall art for your apartment or home, this piece is pretty novel and neat. It’ll also make for a meaningful gift. It’s made by a craftsman in Palm Bay, Florida (USA) who creates reclaimed wood decor and wall art. This reclaimed wood piece happens to be made with a combination of barnwood, pallet wood, oak, pine, fur, and ash wood. The piece considers great design principles of line and form, and also utilizes the essential “green” principles or reuse and recycle.
Sustainably Made Corrugated Cardboard Air Purifier – Biodegradable
By: NextMade from Italy
A Better Alternative
This eco-friendly, biodegradable air purifier has received several design and sustainability accolades. The more functional aspects of the piece (i.e., its filtration / purification features) were developed by a group of researchers at the University Politecnico di Milano, in Italy. The cactus-like purifier is made of corrugated cardboard and filters the air via three steps: (1) it uses corrugation to catch thicker, solid particles floating in the air, (2) it uses chitosan (“a natural antibacterial substance”) to prevent bacteria from colonizing, and (3) it uses titanium dioxide which “photocatalyses to oxidize most of the chemical species”. Plants do in fact filter the air.
Eco Beanbag Made from Recycled Sail Fabric
By: Dvelas
A Better Alternative
Once again a novel, sustainable furniture piece for the home or office. It’s an upgrade on the standard bean bag chair, that often rips and falls apart pretty easily. The shell is made of recycled sail fabric, which is incredibly strong and durable, as sails are built to withstand the forces of nature on a daily basis. It’s shape also makes it perfect for reclining. The bean bag chair is a bit on the pricey said, but it’s well worth it.
EcoCrock Counter Compost Bin
By: Chef’n
A Better Alternative
A composter (i.e., compost bin) is something that I believe the majority of the public will have in their kitchen in the coming century. If not, I certainly HOPE they do! Food scraps should be composted instead of just tossed in the trash. You can also turn it into a learning activity and learn how to plant and cultivate small herbs or other houseplants with the contents of the composter. Try it out! Here’s a link to help get you starter — that is, if you’re interested.
Energy-Saving Smarter Wi-Fi Thermostat (Remote Sensor)
By: ecobee
A Better Alternative
“Smart” thermostats are a pretty easy way save energy in your home. This one by ecobee is one of top ones out their, along with the one by NEST, which I’m sure you’ve seen ads for. This one is especially helpful because it has a smart sensor that can determine if anyone is home and will power off if the power saving mode is on. It’s also easy to set up and has a great user interface. Highly recommended.
Portable Natural Marble IPhone Speaker Amplifier
By: Pietre di Monitillo
A Better Alternative
Alright, so the “coolness” factor with this product is very apparent. These IPhone speakers have a sleek look and feel, are designed to be portable and project sound through an innovative funnel-like shape, and require no wires. At all. It’s simply marble. You pick it up, go, and play.
Sustainable Pitcher & Plant-Based Water Filter – USA-Made
By: Soma
A Better Alternative
Let me just say now, Soma is an incredible brand. Their efforts to craft a unique, sustainable, and brilliantly designed water pitcher and purifier should not go without notice. They’re one of the first brands to completely rethink the water pitcher/purifier combination — from design to sustainability. I think a quote from their site sums up the product nicely: “We hated our choices for water filters. Too much plastic. Too many chemicals. Too ugly! So we set out to make something better.”
Award-Winning, Geometric Natural Wood Cat Bed
By: Catissa
A Better Alternative
I had to throw this product in my collection. When I saw it, I couldn’t resist. It’s a natural wood cat bed. I think the geometric, polygon design is eye-catching and actually compliments a room. Cat beds usually aren’t known for being so well-designed that they augment the feel of the room they’re in.
Hand-Poured, Vegan, Soy Wax Candle (Recycled Jam Jar) – USA-Made
By: TheCandleCrate
A Better Alternative
You read that correctly — it says “Unicorn Farts”. That’s all.
Top Selling Self-sustaining, Self-cleaning Fish Tank/Water Garden that Grows Food & Cleans Water
By: Back to the Roots
A Better Alternative
This self-cleaning fish tank, water garden combo is the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign. It’s a tremendously innovative product, and if you’re at first a bit confused about its features and inner-workings, you’re not alone. The Amazon page helps to describe the product in its entirety and also includes a video that’s helpful and informative. If you choose to get it, I recommend putting it your kitchen, but it can work in just about any room.
Hey everyone! I’m Jesslyn. I’m a graduate from New York University, where I majored in Urban Design and Architecture, and minored in Environmental Studies. My interests span the entire spectrum of our built environment. In my works, I seek to find the nexus between Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning, and Landscape Architecture. As such, my studies, practice, and exposure to these disciplines within my academic and professional career have revealed just how inextricably linked and multifaceted our built environment is — perhaps reaffirming the critical role of the (Landscape) Architect and (Urban) Designer/Planner in understanding urbanity’s interdependent intricacies. Currently, I am an Architectural Marketing Coordinator at REX, an internationally acclaimed architecture and design firm whose name signifies a re-appraisal (RE) of architecture (X). Eventually, I hope for the fields of conscious consumption and sustainable urban architecture to work towards the common goal of protecting and preserving the natural environment.
Have a question? I’ll answer.
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The coolest thing I’ve ever seen !! That speaker and water filter are dope.
Thanks, Cole! They’re definitely cool!
Getting these for my apartment now ?
Awesome! We’re all for it! Which selection did you like the most? / Which are thinking of getting?