Four Sustainable Wabi Sabi-Inspired Wallcovering Options

During the design process, it's essential to consider the feeling the design will lend to a space alongside its performance attributes. Since commercial spaces often utilize wallcoverings for many years, our designers approached our latest collection with an eye for longevity and style. The worldview of Wabi Sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, served as our inspiration.

These four vinyl-alternative wallcoverings, made with recycled content, are equally beautiful, durable, and sustainable:

Assemblage is a large-scale patchwork pattern composed of many small vignettes. Inspired by Japanese Boro cloth, Assemblage brings to light the beautiful imperfections of a handmade textile. 

Pave, inspired by poured concrete and layers of peeling paint, will lend a sense of calm to any space. Available in seven hues, Pave redefines the idea of a versatile basic.

Equally evocative of birch tree bark and well-worn indigo-dyed denim, Inkwell brings texture and grit to any space. Its subtle versatility makes it an instant classic.

Gaining its name from the Japanese word for a farmer’s work clothing, Noragi Stripe is a no-match statement pattern that celebrates the beauty of craftsmanship and utility. Noragi Stripe brings together the visual of a soft texture with a hard surface.

These PVC-free wallcoverings address a significant need in the market for sustainable design options. The olefin composite medium is particularly exciting to design with, offering possibilities and outcomes distinct from woven wallcovering solutions. The multi-layered processing of print and embossing gives each pattern a dynamic voice and rich character. Not only are they beautiful, but they also meet the toughest standards required of a Type II solution and are free of PVC, plasticizers, chlorine, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and halogenated fire retardants.

Vinyl wallcoverings are often still seen as the most durable and cost-effective option available, despite PVC being classified as "one of the most toxic substances saturating our planet and its inhabitants" (Source: Fast Company). Contrary to the greenwashing claims found in the industry, there is no such thing as “sustainable vinyl”, and the environmental, ecological, social, and human health costs of using this material greatly outweigh the benefits, especially considering these materials are not changed out very often. Vinyl-alternative wallcoverings are just as durable and offer a much more sustainable option.

View more of our favorite Vinyl Alternative Wallcoverings.

Mandalin Hennessee is a Designer at Carnegie, focusing on innovative solutions for upholstery, walls, and windows. She is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of creative design to create environmentally conscious and aesthetically captivating spaces.