Bringing big-sky thinking indoors: Sustainability trends in interior design

The compelling transformation taking place within our walls is bringing new shades of sustainability to interior design schemes – and their intricate dimensions go far beyond the predictable palette of Pantone’s Mocha Mousse (although the biophilic appeal of organic, earthy neutrals is most definitely in). 

Australian interiors are moving beyond conventional devices to employ big-sky thinking, embracing a more profound and nuanced notion of sustainability that sees the occupants dream big, too. Here, we step inside to explore some key trends embodying the immense environmental potential of the Australian interiors.

Between Australian cities becoming more densely populated and a growing awareness of resource limitations, the trend towards compact and adaptable living is no longer just about saving space – it’s a fundamental shift in how we perceive and interact with our interiors. 

Reinvigorating this relationship with interior spaces is anchored by a more architectural approach to space utilisation and prioritising enduring furnishings crafted from genuinely sustainable materials that are designed to serve multiple purposes.

Flexible layouts, achieved through adaptable walls or modular room dividers that seamlessly integrate into the design, empower occupants to effortlessly reconfigure their living spaces in line with their evolving needs, embodying a dynamic and resourceful approach to interior architecture.

Clever storage solutions – often concealed and seamlessly integrated – are essential for maximising space and minimising clutter, contributing to a sense of calm and order that transcends tidiness. The underlying principle is to achieve comfortable living within a smaller footprint, demonstrating a profound commitment to minimising environmental impact through intelligent design choices. 

Smart technology, too, emerges as a clever design solution that enables designers to augment adaptability beyond spatial reorganisation by creating highly responsive indoor environments.

Personalised microclimate controls leverage sensors and advanced HVAC systems to allow occupants to fine-tune temperature, humidity, and air quality in accordance with individual needs – and in individual rooms. 

By integrating these technological solutions, we can create interiors that adapt not only to our changing lifestyles but also to the volatile dynamic of the shifting climate, addressing the need for more adaptable, resilient and enduring dwellings. 

Moving beyond the now-conventional concept of minimising environmental impact, regenerative interior design is a powerful force for ecological restoration we can cultivate within the privacy of our four walls. This trend recognises something we, the occupants, have instinctively understood for a long time: our interiors can actively contribute to healing both their residents and the planet. 

We’re seeing interior design embrace innovative materials like biochar and hempcrete to create carbon-negative interior partitions or feature walls, and pot plants are starting to give way to thoughtfully integrated indoor micro-ecosystems that not only purify the air but also showcase the potential for closed-loop food systems as a radical act of sustainable indoor living.

Now, we have to admit – an indoor mushroom farm isn’t the most inconspicuous design solution. But fungi often utilise waste products like coffee grounds as a substrate, essentially turning rubbish into a nutritious food source, emerging as a physical manifestation of ecological intent and a somewhat engaging visual addition to an indoor space.

This shift towards sustainable interiors comes with a visual celebration of environmentally-conscious design elements, as residents proudly display evidence of their commitment to sustainability. 

And so, as the green walls flourish, mushrooms thrive indoors, and rainwater filtration systems are tastefully integrated into interior design schemes, it becomes abundantly clear that our interiors are healing – and so are the people within them.

As the world around us keeps accelerating, the desire to slow down has revolutionised all facets of contemporary life. From a radical need for rest and becoming more present to a more conscious approach to travel, hospitality and even work, the modern urban dweller is putting the metaphorical breaks on. And this moment of reflection is at the core of the rise of slow interiors and conscious consumption.

We’re seeing a rejection of mass-produced goods and a refusal to participate in fleeting trends as Australians emphasise intentionality in their design decisions, prioritising the enduring quality of craftsmanship and the ethical sourcing of materials.

Interior designers seek furniture and décor from local artisans and makers who demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainable practices and the use of natural, responsibly harvested materials. 

Investing in high-quality pieces designed to last for generations – often putting the inherent, often imperfect beauty of natural, non-toxic materials on display – is becoming the norm, fostering an aesthetic that leans towards considered minimalism and promotes a sense of calm while reducing unnecessary consumption.

This trend often extends to the passionate embrace of vintage furniture, celebrating the craft and narratives of the past while giving new life to pre-loved items and reducing the demand for new resources.

This small-scale rendition of adaptive reuse, which is emerging as one of the most critical shifts in architecture overall, the thoughtful incorporation of second-hand objects as key design features not only adds a personal touch but also reinforces the idea of longevity, connection to heritage, and – crucially – a rejection of disposable culture.

Sustainability has always been intertwined with the deep connection to Country First Nations people have been cultivating for thousands of years – and Australian design is finally catching up. As the perception of sustainable design evolved, there’s been a significant shift towards a culturally inclusive built environment, and we’re seeing a more profound – and more pronounced – desire to invite the legacy of one of the world’s oldest cultures into our indoor spaces. 

This trend is anchored by the idea of genuine connection rather than the aesthetic appeal of superficial cultural motifs. We’re seeing genuine collaborations with Indigenous artists and designers who weave their unique design principles, stories, and artistic expressions into the very fabric of our interiors, from mindful integration of traditional patterns and art into textiles, flooring solutions and wall coverings to spatial layouts inspired by Indigenous ways of living.

Using native Australian flora as a primary source of design inspiration – and celebrating our landscapes' rich biodiversity with a deep understanding of its cultural significance – is also a vital aspect of this movement towards narrowing the interior design gap.

This need for connection with Australia’s Indigenous culture is also clearly visible in how Australian manufacturers and suppliers are shifting their operations to make ample space for First Nations collaborators, embedding the rich breadth of the Indigenous vernacular into their mainstream offering.

Steeped in a profound notion of connection, cultural inclusivity and celebration of diversity, this type of partnership offers interior designers a significant opportunity to create rich and nuanced indoor environments that genuinely celebrate the legacy of the land, foster a stronger connection to place – and support Indigenous communities in a genuinely respectful and impactful way.

Far from fleeting fads, these consequential trends represent a fundamental reimagining of how we interact with our built environment, land, and the cultural legacy of our First Nations peoples.

With a spirit of innovation and profound respect for our planet and the rich heritage of this land, Australian designers are bound to create indoor spaces that are not only aesthetically compelling and functionally brilliant but also deeply responsible, proving that Australia’s vast blue sky is the only limit in sustainable interior design.

Submit your entry today and inspire the next generation of the sustainable building industry. This category is sponsored by GH Commercial. Click here to find out more.

Image: Last year’s winner, Perth Arup Workplace by Hames Sharley and Peter Farmer Design with Arup / Photography by Dion Robeson