Top materials and products of 2025 revealed
Design in 2025 is being reshaped by materials that offer durability without waste. A few products lead the way, demonstrating how luxury and sustainability can coexist in a single object.
Leather grown in a lab, not a pasture
Reishi, a leather alternative from MycoWorks, is produced from mycelium cultivated in a South Carolina facility and finished in Spain. The material matches the suppleness and grain of traditional leather while being water-resistant and plastic-free. It has already been adopted for handbags, footwear, furniture, and automotive interiors, marking a move toward high-performance, circular materials in industries that traditionally depended on animal hides.
At this year’s ICFF, Reishi appeared in upholstery and interior panels, showing that luxury no longer requires sacrificing aesthetics for environmental responsibility.
Rugs that borrow from architecture
Kasthall’s Fasad collection, created with David Chipperfield, redefines luxury rugs through sustainability. The line uses 25 percent recycled wool and linen, woven into bouclé designs named Uno and Duo. The patterns reflect the brick facade of Kasthall’s Swedish mill, combining architectural precision with environmental care.
These rugs are built to last, offering an alternative to fast furniture. Their tactile surfaces are designed to age well, rejecting disposable design trends.
Furniture that closes the loop
Haworth’s Fern chair is the first product from the company to achieve fully closed-loop manufacturing. The process repurposes plastic from production and end-of-life chairs to create new models. The result maintains quality without increasing costs or waste.
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This method goes beyond recycling by eliminating waste from the start. The chair’s ergonomics remain unchanged, proving that sustainability need not compromise comfort or performance.
Other products this year follow similar principles. Carnegie’s XAF Cumulus 3D Cloud, an acoustic panel, uses recycled PET and plant-based Xorel fabric. The Knit One Chair replaces foam with a 3D-knitted shell, reducing material waste and enabling flat-pack shipping. Tumble’s side and coffee tables incorporate shredded recycled textiles, giving each piece a distinct flecked appearance.
Cork’s second act
Momentum and Muratto’s Muratto Collection transforms cork into more than 20 acoustic formats, including panels and tiles. Made from 100 percent natural, recyclable, and biodegradable cork harvested from oak trees, the collection features Organic Blocks and PrimeCork. These materials combine durability with sound absorption, fitting both bold and minimalist interiors.
Cork has often been overlooked in favor of plastics or synthetics. This collection demonstrates its potential as a sustainable option that doesn’t sacrifice performance or aesthetics.
Lighting and walls that tell a story
&Tradition’s Gio luminaire, designed by Luca Nichetto, draws inspiration from Gio Ponti’s Murano-glass chandeliers. The modern version simplifies the design, using spun aluminum discs in a minimal three-tiered structure. Each disc is powder-coated a different color, subtly referencing Murano’s glassmaking heritage. The design is offered in two sizes and two color schemes.
Merenda Wallpaper’s Formation collection reinterprets traditional motifs with geometric and textile-inspired patterns. Tilt features a bold chevron rhythm, Cleo reimagines a woven check, and Halo was created from a rubbing of a vintage Havana window. The patterns are printed on PVC-free, FSC-certified paper, avoiding plasticizers, phthalates, and heavy metals.
Seating that moves with the body
Catifa (RE) 46, an update of Lievore Altherr Molina’s 2004 design, now includes a shell made entirely from recycled plastic. The chair comes in eight colors and three base options, including wooden legs, steel legs, and a sled base. A new seat cushion made from Breathair, an elastomeric polyester, allows outdoor use.
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KI’s Cogni classroom seating, designed with neuroscience in mind, supports focus through movement and posture flexibility. Its cantilever frame encourages micromovements, which improve blood flow and attention. The design suits K–12 settings, featuring an antitip mechanism and a minimalist shell available in modern colors.
Flooring that offsets its own footprint
ABPURE Infinity, a carbon-neutral rubber flooring, is produced using renewable natural gas from organic waste. The material reduces emissions while offsetting its environmental impact, verified by a Type III Environmental Product Declaration. Available in 20 earth-toned colors, it reflects a broader effort to turn waste into clean energy for building materials.
HempWool, a nontoxic insulation made from 90 percent natural hemp fiber, provides an R-value of 3.7 per inch. It resists mold, stores carbon, and is USDA BioPreferred certified, offering an alternative to fiberglass or foam insulation.
Windows that meet the strictest standards
Alpen’s Zenith Integrated Window & Door System is an American-made fiberglass glazing system for commercial and residential use. The system includes lightweight triple- and quad-pane insulated glass with pultruded fiberglass frames and closed-cell foam insulation. It meets rigorous energy codes, including ENERGY STAR Most Efficient and Passive House certifications, and is Declare Red List–approved.
A stool born from disaster
After last fall’s DANA storms devastated Valencia, Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola collaborated with Andreu World to create a 3D-printed stool using a biodegradable, compostable material. The stool’s trunk-like form appears struck by force, symbolizing resilience and community. All proceeds support the affected areas.
The design carries its origin story in its shape. It serves as a reminder of how design can respond to crises with both beauty and purpose.
