Sustainability in the home environment: Supporting households in circularity and smart energy use through design

Doctoral thesis, 2025

Consumption related to households’ everyday practices and lifestyles accounts for an important share of global resource use and emissions. This thesis aims to identify opportunities for more sustainable consumption within and for the home. This has been addressed by investigating households’ thoughts and practices in relation to product and service solutions aimed at reducing environmental impacts.

The research uses a mixed methods approach and combines qualitative methods, such as interviews and workshops, with quantitative methods, such as surveys and diary tools. Four empirical studies have been conducted as part of two themes representing different pathways towards sustainable consumption. The first theme is focused on contributing to the circularity of domestic kitchens by investigating possibilities for implementing circular economy principles, both in the design and business models of kitchens. The second theme is focused on opportunities for households to become more flexible in their energy demand to support a more sustainable energy system.

The findings indicate that households have varying preconditions for engaging in sustainable consumption practices. Thus, several approaches need to be considered to achieve substantial reductions in environmental impact. In the case of supporting a circular economy of kitchens, different approaches are suggested involving varying levels of flexibility and durability in the design. Suggestions for business models that could support the circularity of each approach are given, together with recommendations about which kinds of housing should be targeted. In the case of enabling energy demand flexibility, suggestions are given for different approaches in the design of home energy management systems, involving varying levels of manual control or automation in relation to different knowledge levels among users.

In order to achieve a societal transition towards circular economy and sustainable energy systems, current consumption practices and mindsets need to be challenged. However, the responsibility of lowering the environmental impact of home-related consumption cannot be placed on households alone. Households need to be supported not only by sustainability-oriented products and services but also by systemic changes and dwellings that support less resource-intensive lifestyles.

To conclude, this thesis contributes insights into home-related consumption from a household perspective and highlights opportunities for design to enable greater levels of circularity and sustainable energy use at home. The thesis is relevant for researchers as well as practitioners working with circular products and service offerings, energy provision and management, and housing.