From plant-based leather to biodegradable lamps, mycelium is radically transforming interior design. This fungal root network can now be used to grow furniture and coverings that compost in just a few weeks.
The design industry is undergoing a silent but spectacular transformation. In creative studios around the world, we no longer manufacture: we cultivate. Mycelium, this filamentous part of mushrooms long ignored, is emerging as the flagship biomaterial of a decoration finally reconciled with the environment.
In less than two weeks, this plant network can colonize agricultural waste to create rigid, lightweight and fully compostable objects. Where plastic takes centuries to degrade, mycelium returns to the earth in just months.
Pioneers with boundless ambitions
The revolution began as early as 2007 with Ecovative Design, an American company now a world leader in the sector. Their MycoComposite panels now equip offices and restaurants, offering acoustic insulation and organic aesthetics. Even more spectacular: the Hy-Fi tower erected in 2014 at MoMA PS1 in New York, the first major architectural structure composed of over 10,000 mycelium bricks.
But it is in luxury that mushrooms are making the biggest impact. MycoWorks, based in California, seduced Hermès with its Reishi leather of astonishing quality. The Victoria bag, presented in 2021, marked mycelium's explosive entry into high-end leather goods.
"We don't manufacture materials, we cultivate them. It’s a revolution in our relationship with production."
From the laboratory to the living room: concrete applications
Designers are now exploring all the possibilities of mycelium. Jonas Edvard creates translucent luminaires, Studio Klarenbeek & Dros 3D prints chairs where spores continue to grow, while the Italian Mogu offers textured and naturally antibacterial flooring.
The technical advantages are appealing beyond the ecological argument: natural fire resistance, exceptional thermal insulation, molding into any shape without cutting. Mycelium also offers sought-after acoustic properties for open spaces and public places.
In terms of upholstery textiles, collaborations are multiplying. Bolt Threads has developed Mylo™, a mushroom leather adopted by Stella McCartney and Adidas for cushion covers, seat coverings and decorative accessories. The texture rivals animal leather, without breeding or chemical tanning.
Challenges facing an emerging industry
Despite the enthusiasm, obstacles still hinder democratization. Production costs remain about three times higher than conventional alternatives, even though the trend is rapidly reversing. Standardization also raises questions: each culture presents natural variations that complicate series production.
Sensitivity to humidity also requires protective treatments, and regulations struggle to keep pace with innovations. Yet, investments are flowing in. The biomaterials market is expected to exceed $30 billion by 2030, driven by an annual growth rate of nearly 20% for the mycelium sector.
From Dutch Design Week to the Salone del Mobile in Milan, mycelium installations are multiplying at major design events. Some brands even offer kits allowing you to grow your own decorative objects at home, sketching a future where everyone would become a producer.
In brief
Mycelium is revolutionizing interior design by offering a 100% biodegradable alternative to polluting materials. Companies like Ecovative, MycoWorks and Mogu are creating furniture, coatings and plant-based leathers that grow in two weeks and compost within a few months. Despite still high costs, the sector is experiencing spectacular growth and appealing to both luxury and architecture. A paradigm shift where we no longer manufacture, but cultivate our interiors.
Sources: Ecovative Design, MycoWorks, MoMA PS1 - The Living
