The New Meaning of Sustainability, An Inside Look
Sustainability it’s a word we see everywhere right now. In most design conversations, it’s become synonymous with materials: cradle-to-cradle lifecycles, recycled content, renewables, and repurposing. And while all of that matters, it barely scratches the surface. What if we take it one step further? What if we talk about the sustainability of people in their homes? For me, this is the new meaning of sustainability.
At its core, sustainability is about longevity and conservation, preserving something over time. So, let’s expand the idea beyond just materials, to the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of the individuals living in the spaces we create. This conversation is one I find I am having more often, especially as I have begun to naturally intertwine the new meaning of sustainability with my design process.
Designing Through Life’s Moments
Recently, I worked on a project with clients who were navigating a deeply personal and heartbreaking loss. As we moved through the design process together, something shifted. At first, I didn’t even notice it happening. But the space we were designing began to reflect not just their aesthetic needs, but also their emotional healing. Grief quietly influenced every design decision and the result was a space that held them, supported them, and gave them room to heal emotionally.
That’s when it hit me. Sustainability isn’t just about what’s in the room. It’s about how the room makes you feel, inside and out. This is the human connection to sustainability.T he way the room feels when you are in it is a saying I find myself using more an more often. How do I believe the room should feel when the family is together in it.
The New Meaning of Sustainability Starts with Joy
If we are talking about sustainable living, we have to start with joy. Life throws curveballs. We experience external pressures every day that can knock us off balance. Design can help restore that balance by surrounding us with what makes us happy. Joyful design doesn’t mean following trends. Sometimes it means going against them. If the “color of the year” does nothing for your spirit, don’t bring it into your home. Instead, create those little moments that uplift you, a cozy corner to curl up in, a color that makes you smile, a photo or object that grounds you. Chasing the latest “thing” is not going to bring long lasting healing or change. It is a short lived quick shot that only provides temporary gratification.
Sustainability starts with making your space a place you want to be. Design a space that supports your long-term well-being, not just purchasing the latest influencer favorite. What suits them and what suits you and your needs may not be the same. Remember you are creating your place of joy.
Environmental Well-Being Matters Too
Of course, we can’t ignore environmental sustainability. Passive construction is gaining momentum, but it’s still not accessible to everyone since it can be cost-prohibitive. That said, we can still incorporate aspects that support the environment and our health at the same time. My clients are realizing that their priorities are shifting and they are looking to make important investiments in their well being. This notion is expanding outward to include friends and family the key ingrediant to enviromental well-being.
Let’s talk about air quality. Clean air is critical to personal health. In many states, building codes now require make-up air systems to offset the air removed from the home by exhaust fans. Why? Because pulling air out of your home without replacing it can create negative pressure in the home. When you replace that air with fresh air, the concentration of odors and indoor pollutants is reduced which improves air quality and helps balance the air pressure inside. Makeup air came into use as our building systems became more airtight not allowing for a good natural air flow through the home. I guess the old saying open up the windows and let the fresh air in is back in style just in a more modern fashion.
Switching from gas to induction cooking is another smart move. It’s cleaner, safer, and more efficient. And while there’s a small learning curve, it’s nothing you can’t handle. I like to compare it to learning to tie shoes. When my kids had Velcro sneakers, it made our life easier for the moment. But once they mastered tying their laces, the pride and confidence that came with it was worth every frustrating knot. Induction cooking feels the same. It’s a skill shift, but one that pays off in control, efficiency, and healthier indoor enviroments.
Induction Cook Top. Kitchen Design by Thyme and Place Design
The Power of Sound
Sound is often overlooked as a design element in residential design. Sound has a profound effect on our sense of calm or chaos. Noisy appliances, slamming cabinet doors, and loud ventilation systems all contribute to stress from noise. Even our watches inform us of loud environments. Thoughtful design can help mitigate that. I like to say the emphasis should be on the sound of the sound.
Soft-close drawers and hinges, sound-absorbing materials, and even ventilation hoods with lower sones numbers can all play a role in creating a quieter, more peaceful home. Think of your favorite restaurant with stunning design and amazing food but unbearable noise levels. It’s not the kind of experience you want to replicate at home.
Sound has healing potential but can also be a source of agitation. Designing with sound in mind is another way we promote sustainable well-being. Did you know that plants can help absorb sound? Using softer materials like wood and cork in a kitchen can help reduce noise levels. Even selecting a sink with insulation can make a difference.
The New Meaning of Sustainability: Water as Wellness
We can’t talk about well-being without talking about water not just in terms of conservation but in terms of quality, usage, and emotional and physical benefits.
Bain Ultra air massage tub. Photo by Thymeandplacedesign.com
The water we drink, cook with, and cleanse our bodies with affects every part of our health. Water contributes to longevity, healing, and personal connection. In today’s home design, it’s becoming more requested and integrated as a wellness feature—from steam showers and cold plunge tubs and showers to filtered drinking systems and hydrotherapy. These aren’t just luxurious add-ons. They’re tools to sustain our well-being in an increasingly demanding world.
A New Framework for Sustainable Design
So what does all of this mean as we move into 2026 and beyond? It means sustainability can’t be limited to recycled wood and low-VOC paint. It must include human health, emotional wellness, and daily rituals. It’s about designing spaces that sustain us.
Have you ever thought about sustainability that way? Beyond materials. Beyond marketing. Into something more meaningful, something that supports your whole self. That’s where I believe design is headed. And that’s where I’m going too.
What are your thoughts on sustainable design from the inside out? Let’s continue this conversation and change the world of home design one idea at a time.
Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, CKD
About Sharon:
Sharon founded Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She’s been practicing kitchen and bath design for over 20 years and is Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers – New Jersey chapter, a professional member of ASID, a Certified Interior Designer in New Jersey, and a Certified Kitchen Designer.
She is a current member of the editorial board of KBB Magazine, the official magazine of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Sharon received the Kitchen Bath Design News 2022 Innovator of the Year Award. Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Furniture Lighting and Decor, Designers Today, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, as well as several books. She has authored the Interior Designers Guide to Kitchen and Bath Business Success, available through the website. Sharon is a sought-after conference speaker and CEU provider. You can contact her through the website www.thymeandplacedesign.com.
