Luxury interiors are no longer defined only by rare finishes or visual drama. Today, refinement is increasingly measured by material intelligence—how something is made, how it performs over time, and how responsibly it exists. This shift has brought bio-design into focus, with materials such as mycelium, algae, and hemp shaping interiors, décor, furniture, and upholstery in ways that feel both grounded and forward-looking.

At their core, these materials share one essential quality: they are renewable, low-impact, and grown rather than extracted—a fundamental departure from conventional interior materials.

Nature’s New Material Palette

At first glance, these materials sound more at home in a biology lab than a living room—but they’re surprisingly well behaved.

Mycelium, the delicate root network of fungi, acts like nature’s own glue. When grown on agricultural waste, it binds particles together into lightweight, insulating, and fully biodegradable forms.

Algae, fast-growing and endlessly adaptable, can be transformed into soft foams and translucent bio-polymers.

And hemp, one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants that’s derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, brings strong fibres, minimal water needs, and a durability that designers quietly adore.

Together, they offer something rare: materials that look good, feel good, and do good—without the moral hangover.

Mycelium: The Intelligent Biomaterial

Mycelium has become the poster child of bio-design, and for good reason. It’s already being used for acoustic wall panels, ceiling systems, partitions, and furniture cores, thanks to its excellent sound absorption and gentle, tactile surface.

A standout example is Mogu’s mycelium acoustic panels, developed with Arup. Designed for offices and public spaces, they soften sound while adding warmth—proof that sustainability doesn’t have to look technical or severe.

And mycelium isn’t shy about décor either. It’s being shaped into sculptural wall pieces, planters, and lampshades, offering organic forms that feel grown rather than manufactured.

Recent advances in growth control, fibre reinforcement, and heat treatment have also made mycelium stronger—so it’s no longer just the pretty one in the room.

Algae: Design Powered by Photosynthesis

Algae may not have the drama of marble, but it makes up for it in talent. Algae-based foams and bio-polymers are finding their way into insulation panels, acoustic elements, lighting features, and decorative installations.

Lightweight, mouldable, and naturally regenerative, algae materials absorb carbon as they grow and bring softness where interiors need it most—think wellness spaces, hospitality interiors, and anywhere that values calm over clatter.

Hemp: The Original Multi-Hyphenate

If any material deserves a comeback tour, it’s hemp. In upholstery, hemp fabric is breathable, durable, and quietly luxurious—perfect for sofas, armchairs, headboards, cushions, and curtains. It resists wear better than cotton and softens beautifully with time, much like good linen.

Hemp also plays a structural role through hemp-lime (hempcrete) projects, where hemp shiv combined with lime creates breathable, insulating wall systems with a negative carbon footprint. These surfaces often act as finished interiors themselves, regulating humidity and improving indoor air quality.

Why Bio-Design Is the Future of Interiors

Mycelium, algae, and hemp tick all the right boxes: renewable, biodegradable, low-energy to produce, and healthier for indoor environments. They age gracefully, avoid toxic off-gassing, and prove that performance doesn’t need to come wrapped in plastic.

Most importantly, they signal a shift in mindset. As designers and homeowners seek spaces that feel calmer, healthier, and more responsible, bio-design offers a future rooted in balance rather than excess.

In the evolving language of luxury interiors, sustainability is no longer hidden behind the surface. It is the surface.