5 sustainable design ideas for your apartment

Sustainable interior design focuses on creating spaces that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout their lifecycle. It involves thoughtful selection of materials, energy-efficient solutions, and designs that promote well-being. This approach ensures that your home is not only stylish but also contributes positively to the environment.​

Reclaimed wood furniture

Reclaimed wood brings character and history into your home. Each piece tells a story, adding depth and authenticity to your space.

Organic & local textiles

Opting for textiles made from organic cotton, linen, or wool not only supports sustainable practices but also introduces a tactile richness to your interiors. These materials offer a natural elegance that complements a variety of design aesthetics.​

Top picks:

Laine + Alliage. Founded by French-born designer Tania Leipold, this atelier offers a collection of handmade textiles inspired by nature. Their 100% linen fabrics feature bold, oversized floral prints, bringing a touch of the natural world into your home. ​

Stone, glass, and renewable resources

Incorporate materials like reclaimed stone and recycled glass to add elegance and sustainability to your interiors.​

Lighting

Embrace LED lighting and smart systems to reduce energy consumption without compromising on ambiance.​

HVAC & insulation

Invest in energy-efficient HVAC systems and sustainable insulation materials to enhance comfort and reduce your carbon footprint.​

Biophilic design

Integrate natural elements like plant walls and indoor gardens to create a calming and rejuvenating environment.​

Water and waste efficiency

Implement low-flow fixtures and composting systems to promote sustainability without sacrificing convenience.​

Dual-flush toilets to conserve water. These aren’t the clunky fixtures you remember from your last eco-retreat. Today’s dual-flush toilets are sleek, efficient, and surprisingly stylish. They offer two flushing options: one for liquid waste (using significantly less water), and one for solids. Over time, this simple mechanism can dramatically reduce household water use — especially in apartments and brownstones where every gallon counts.

Modern options, like those from Toto, Duravit, or Kohler, feature minimalist silhouettes, soft-close lids, and wall-mounted designs that free up visual space. Installed by the right contractor (yes, we’ve done this many times), they quietly elevate both your bathroom and your water efficiency game.

Kitchen compost bins.​ You don’t need a backyard to compost like a pro. In fact, with the right setup, you can keep food waste out of landfills right from your Upper East Side kitchen — and do it in style.

Built-in kitchen compost bins are increasingly common in high-end renovations. Think flush-mount containers integrated into your marble countertop or custom cabinetry. They’re odor-proof, easy to empty, and compatible with NYC’s growing compost initiatives.

Some of our favorite discreet solutions include:

— Simplehuman’s in-cabinet compost caddy, perfect for smaller apartments.
— Bokashi systems for zero-odor breakdown, even in winter.
— Mill Kitchen Bins, a new-gen appliance that dries, shrinks, and seals your scraps, turning them into soil-ready material without the smell.

Vintage and antique pieces aren’t just a nod to sustainability; they’re a way to add soul, craftsmanship, and story to interiors that might otherwise feel too polished, too new, too… expected.

The best designers in New York don’t just buy vintage because it’s eco-friendly. They buy it because nothing else can do what a 1960s Sergio Rodrigues chair or a mid-century Italian sconce can do for a space: ground it in authenticity, spark conversation, and give it emotional depth.

Furnish Green – tucked away in Midtown Manhattan, this under-the-radar shop is a favorite of young designers looking for 1940s–1970s gems. Inventory changes daily, which keeps stylists coming back regularly.

1stDibs gallery – more than an e-commerce platform, this IRL space in West Chelsea is where serious collectors and decorators get hands-on with iconic pieces from Jean Prouvé, Vladimir Kagan, and Charlotte Perriand. It’s the modern antique playground.

The real power of a sustainable interior often lies in the surfaces you touch every day — your floors, walls, ceilings. That’s where eco-friendly finishing materials come in. And no, we’re not talking about burlap walls and bamboo floors from the early 2000s.

Modern eco finishes are subtle, smart, and far from crunchy. They’re designed to work hard, look great, and reduce your environmental footprint — all without shouting about it.

What to look for:

Low-VOC and natural paints – indoor air quality starts with what’s on your walls. Choose paints that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or go all in with limewash or clay-based finishes. They offer texture, depth, and a moody softness that’s hard to fake.

Sustainable flooring – FSC-certified wood, cork, or recycled hardwood flooring offers a timeless look with minimal environmental impact. Bonus: these materials age beautifully and actually improve with wear.

Eco plasters & wall treatments – tadelakt, clay, and lime plasters aren’t just good for the planet — they breathe with your space, naturally regulate humidity, and develop a patina over time. In the right hands, they’re more architectural poetry than surface finish.

Non-toxic sealants and adhesives – often overlooked, but key. If you’re gluing anything down — floors, tiles, wood panels — opt for water-based, non-toxic adhesives. The air in your apartment will thank you.

Sustainable interior design is more than a trend; it’s a commitment to creating spaces that are both beautiful and responsible. By thoughtfully selecting materials, embracing energy-efficient solutions, and integrating natural elements, you can craft a home that reflects your values and stands the test of time.

At United Elite Group, we collaborate closely with forward-thinking architects and interior designers to bring these principles to life — from eco-conscious finishes to systems that quietly support sustainability behind the walls. Whether you’re restoring a brownstone or designing from the ground up, we help you build smarter, cleaner, and with intention, we can help to build your project.