The values-driven shift we’ve seen in fashion is starting to influence the home furnishings space. Today, it’s not enough for materials to look good or hold up well—consumers also want them to be safe, ethical, and built to last.
According to PwC, sustainability is already a key factor for three out of four furniture buyers (IMM Cologne, 2024).
One of the clearest signals of change is Europe’s proposed Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This upcoming legislation is set to drive major shifts across industries—including home textiles—by prioritizing circularity, transparency, and long-term durability.
Brands and suppliers that can’t adapt may not just fall behind in the market—they may also struggle to meet new legal requirements.
That’s why performance, as we know it, needs a broader definition. It’s no longer just about stain resistance or color retention.
It’s about whether a textile holds up over time, supports safer living spaces, and leaves a lighter environmental footprint.
The Performance Myth: Why “Sustainable” Doesn’t Mean “Soft”
There’s still a perception in some parts of the industry that sustainable materials can’t match the durability of synthetic ones.
That’s particularly visible in segments like activewear and contract interiors, where performance has historically been tied to stretch, water resistance, and chemical finishes.
While innovation is happening and new materials are entering the market, meeting performance expectations in these areas is still a challenge—though one that’s actively being addressed through biotech and fiber development.
Some of that skepticism came from real limitations. In the past, natural fibers did struggle with things like shrinkage, pilling, and fade resistance.
As Vogue Business noted, “natural performance wear is no silver bullet.” There’s still a balance to be struck between upstream sustainability and downstream durability.
But innovation is rapidly changing the equation. New fiber blends, improved spinning and finishing techniques, and product development that integrates sustainability from the start are making high-performance, low-impact textiles a reality.
Cozy Earth is a great example. The brand uses bamboo viscose to create bedding and loungewear that’s soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating—while also holding up to everyday use (New York Post, 2023).
PANGAIA, typically known for its fashion-forward loungewear, recently introduced plant-based activewear made with biotech materials (GoCirculaire, 2024).
And in homewear, brands like Tosheka Textiles are handweaving durable cotton fabrics with OEKO-TEX-certified dyes that support both quality and community.
These kinds of shifts aren’t just experimental. They’re working—and they’re setting a new bar for what performance can mean in this space.
In categories like furniture and homewear, where durability, breathability, and tactile comfort are essential, natural and recycled fabrics like wool, hemp, rPET, and tightly woven cotton have proven themselves not as alternatives—but as advancements. Innovation isn’t replacing performance—it’s redefining it.
Therefore, the key is understanding that sustainability and performance aren’t opposing forces. They’re interdependent. A fabric that wears out quickly, leaches toxins, or can’t be recycled isn’t truly high-performance—it’s high-risk.
Brands need to stop asking, “Does it perform as well as conventional?” and start asking, “Does it perform better across its lifecycle?”
Smart Materials for Smarter Spaces
Let’s break down some of the top sustainable materials leading the shift in home textiles performance:
Wool
Wool is naturally flame-resistant, thermoregulating, and odor-resistant. Its crimped fiber structure gives it excellent resilience and elasticity, making it ideal for upholstery and bedding. It’s also biodegradable and available in regenerative forms certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).
Hemp
Long used for canvas and sailcloth, hemp is among the strongest natural fibers. It grows with minimal water, restores soil health, and resists mold and UV damage. Its durability makes it ideal for sofas, cushions, and wall coverings.
A study from the National Library of Medicine confirms hemp’s tensile strength and resistance to microbial growth, supporting its use in high-traffic, enclosed environments like hospitality and healthcare.
Recycled PET
When processed properly, recycled PET (rPET) can mimic the strength and appearance of virgin polyester. It’s already used widely in commercial-grade upholstery and offers a critical bridge for brands transitioning away from fossil-based synthetics.
Handwoven Cotton
Organic or Fairtrade cotton is often assumed to be delicate—but when tightly handwoven, as seen in Tosheka Textiles’ artisan collections, it delivers both tactility and long-term strength. These textiles support rural economies and are often finished with low-impact, OEKO-TEX-certified dyes.
Together, these materials offer a diverse toolbox for brands looking to build high-quality, low-impact home collections that last.
Home Textiles Performance Meets Regulation: ESPR Is Coming
The European Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is set to transform the textiles sector between 2025 and 2030. Among its mandates:
Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for traceability
Reparability and recyclability scoring
Mandatory environmental performance data
Restrictions on substances of concern
And this isn’t a future scenario—it’s already happening. The European Union is rolling out the Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), with timelines extending through 2030.
The goal is to embed sustainability into the DNA of all products sold in the EU, and that includes home textiles.
These rules aren’t just aspirational, they’re enforceable. As outlined by McKinsey & Co. and the European Commission, ESPR will require brands to disclose what their products are made of, how they’re made, and what happens to them after use.
Brands will be expected to embed traceability from the yarn to the end product. Textile suppliers must verify their claims through credible certifications, lifecycle assessments, and accessible digital formats.
The takeaway? Compliance won’t be a sticker on the hangtag—it will be a data trail.
The Toxic Trade-Off: Why Conventional Performance No Longer Works
For decades, the default answer to durability was chemical coating. From stain repellents and flame retardants to PFAS and formaldehyde-based finishes, these treatments were seen as shortcuts to performance. But that’s changing fast.
PFAS, in particular, are under increasing scrutiny. Known as “forever chemicals,” they don’t break down in nature and have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other serious health risks.
A recent study by environmental advocacy group Toxics Link, highlighted in a Fashion United UK article, highlighted the contamination issues tied to textile production in India, where toxic waste is making its way into water sources.
Regulators are responding. California’s Proposition 65 and new rules across Europe are restricting harmful substances in consumer products, especially in home goods.
Meanwhile, safer alternatives are gaining traction.
World Collective recently explored this in a detailed blog on PFAS, highlighting how brands can phase out toxic treatments without compromising quality.
The lesson is clear: true performance isn’t just about resisting spills or holding color—it’s about making sure your product isn’t harmful to the people who use it or the environment it ends up in.
World Collective: Powering a Smarter Sourcing Ecosystem
World Collective is a curated digital ecosystem connecting brands with verified suppliers who are ready to deliver certified, sustainable, and high-performing textiles.
For home furnishings, that means:
Direct access to materials that meet ESPR requirements
Supported by globally trusted certifications such as OEKO-TEX® and GOTS
Traceable sourcing with digital data integration
Proven partners like Tosheka Textiles, whose handwoven, mold-resistant cottons are redefining durability and ethics in the homewear segment.
We support small and mid-sized brands by making sourcing clearer, faster, and more accessible.
Our platform cuts through the complexity—giving direct access to trusted suppliers, verified materials, and the tools to make informed decisions.
Choosing a supplier is only one piece of the puzzle. The real challenge is creating a sourcing strategy that scales—one that’s efficient, transparent, and grounded in verified data from the start.
No Compromises—Just Smarter Choices
It’s time to move past the idea that performance and sustainability are at odds. The most forward-thinking brands are proving that you can have both—and that in many cases, the most responsible choice is also the smartest, most durable one.
At World Collective, we believe the future of home textiles is one where beauty, function, safety, and impact go hand in hand. Let’s stop compromising. Let’s start designing better from the beginning.
Ready to redefine your sourcing strategy? Explore certified, performance-driven home textiles on World Collective
Written by Simone Ljung
Edited by Maria Eugênia Lima & Júlia Vilaça
