Sustainable Design, Elevated: How Varaluz is Leading the Way in Eco-Friendly Lighting & Home Décor

At Las Vegas Market 2025, Ron Henderson, President & CEO of Varaluz, shared how his company is pioneering eco-friendly design without compromising on aesthetics or craftsmanship. Based in Las Vegas, Varaluz specializes in lighting, furniture, and home décor, using as many recycled and sustainable materials as possible while maintaining a high-end design sensibility.

“From the very start, sustainability has been at the core of our business,” Henderson said. “We saw a gap in the market—no one was focusing on using eco-friendly materials in luxury lighting and décor. It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult—you just have to commit to working with these materials from the beginning.”

Rethinking Sustainability in Lighting

For Varaluz, eco-friendly design isn’t an afterthought—it’s built into the DNA of the brand. The company sources materials such as 70% recycled steel and 100% recycled glass, while also repurposing discarded shipping pallets to create furniture pieces that look nothing like their origins.

Beyond materials, manufacturing practices matter too. Varaluz operates a small-batch, table-based production model, allowing for greater flexibility and less waste. The facility is also designed for maximum ventilation and worker safety, ensuring an ethical approach from start to finish.

“We don’t want our products to look like ‘recycled design,’” Henderson explained. “It has to be beautiful, functional, and built to last—with sustainability as an added bonus.”

Authenticity in a Crowded Market

With greenwashing becoming more common, Henderson emphasized the importance of transparency in sustainability messaging.

“We make sure our customers know exactly what goes into our products, where the materials come from, and how they’re made,” he said. “We also get certified by third-party organizations that track how much waste we prevent from ending up in landfills.”

While some buyers are deeply invested in sustainability, Henderson acknowledged that for many, design comes first.

“Our job is to make pieces so striking and unique that people buy them for the design—and then get the added benefit of sustainability,” he said.

Targeting the Right Audience

Varaluz serves a design-forward clientele, catering primarily to mid-to-high-end retailers, interior designers, and boutique lighting showrooms.

The company has showrooms in Las Vegas, Dallas, and High Point, North Carolina, with a growing presence in international markets. Rather than selling direct-to-consumer, Varaluz partners with retailers who understand high-end lighting and home décor, ensuring that their story and craftsmanship are properly conveyed to customers.

“We focus on retailers and designers who appreciate the artistry and sustainability of what we do,” Henderson said. “We make sure they’re armed with the full backstory—how we source our materials, our handcrafted approach—so they can pass that story along to their customers.”

Balancing Trends with Timeless Design

Staying ahead of design trends while maintaining brand identity is a delicate balance. While customer feedback plays a role, Henderson doesn’t rely solely on external influences to guide Varaluz’s creative direction.

“I don’t really pay attention to what’s being labeled as a ‘trend,’” he admitted. “Instead, we anticipate where high-end design is headed, and we’re usually a couple of years ahead of the curve.”

Because of the labor-intensive, handcrafted nature of Varaluz’s pieces, their designs are difficult to replicate—ensuring originality even as trends evolve.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Varaluz?

Henderson is excited about new materials, emerging design possibilities, and advancements in finishing techniques. Innovations in paint technology are creating fresh opportunities for texture and depth, while AI is becoming a surprising sketching and ideation tool in the design process.

“The pace of change is accelerating,” he said. “From materials to manufacturing processes to digital marketing, there are more tools than ever to elevate our designs and expand our reach.”

With its commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation, Varaluz continues to push the boundaries of eco-friendly luxury lighting and home décor—proving that great design and responsible sourcing can go hand in hand.

SPONSORED BY

Not affiliated with Las Vegas Market