15 Never-Fail Places Designers Shop for Sustainable Home Goods

Christine’s Recommendations: Lunair, Mod Cafe, Haywood, Heavy Metal

Ikon Windows

Sarah Jefferys, the founder of Sarah Jefferys Architecture + Interiors, says she often uses Ikon Windows in her projects. “They’re custom-made, high-quality, and designed for passive house construction with triple-pane windows and doors that are highly energy-efficient,” she explains. Of course, she likes the design of the windows too, which she describes as elegant, with thin profiles and sleek hardware. “Their sliding doors also come in very large sizes, perfect for expansive exterior openings, while remaining reasonably priced.”

Sarah’s Recommendations: Lift-and-Slide Doors, Thin-Profile Tilt-Turn Windows

Beko, Dacor, and Miele

Going climate-positive in the kitchen can be a tricky affair, says Sara Mosele, founder of Sara Mosele Interiors. “You can have beautiful repurposed countertops but then have very expensive appliances that consume a lot of energy,” she explains, “so you need to look at sustainability as a broader spectrum.” With that in mind, Mosele is always looking for appliances that benefit the environment as much as they do people. Combining both aesthetics and energy efficiency, Mosele’s favorite refrigerators often come from Beko or Dacor. The former is a more midlevel price point, and the latter is higher end.

According to the University of Birmingham, the cooling industry is estimated to produce around 10% of the world’s CO₂ emissions. Luckily, the energy consumption of major appliances has recently halved, thanks in part to energy-efficiency policies. Beko’s refrigerators have Energy Star certification, which identifies products that “protect the environment through the adoption of energy-efficient products and practices.” The company was also named as one of the Real Leaders Top 200 Impact Companies of 2022. For its part, Dacor uses a refrigerant known as R600a, which is up to 40% more efficient than its traditional counterpart, R134a. The cooling technology embedded in the appliances also means food stays fresher for longer, limiting waste. When it comes to dishwashers, Mosele’s go-to is “for sure, Miele,” she says. The company holds the German Sustainability Award and is a member of the UN Global Compact sustainability initiative.

Sara’s Recommendations: Beko Built-In Freezer-Bottom Refrigerator, Dacor French-Door Refrigerator, Miele Dishwasher

Ten and Co.

For home accessories, Rebecca Hay of Rebecca Hay Designs says Ten and Co. is a favorite destination. When thinking about sustainability, she says it’s important to think about the items you or your clients will be using every day, like cleaning supplies and towels. Ten and Co. is an eco-conscious emporium offering products for every part of the home—and yes, that includes the kitchen sink. “We were initially drawn to the sponge cloths, as they fit in perfectly as part of a client gift basket for a kitchen project,” Hay mentions. The brand offers a collection of sponges with various prints and styles, which Hay describes as “functional and beautiful.” She also loves that the brand is female-owned and local to Ontario, where she is based. “That was a big factor that won us over,” she says.

Rebecca’s Recommendations: Modern Floral Black-on-White Sponge Cloth, Stripe Sage Sponge Cloth, Tiny X Black Sponge Cloth