Prioritizing barriers and strategies for non-toxic material adoption in interior design

Background Growing concern about indoor environmental quality and occupant health has underscored the need to select interior materials that minimize harmful chemical emissions and reduce exposure to toxic substances. However, despite growing awareness of healthier interior environments, the adoption of non-toxic materials remains limited due to technical, informational, economic, and organizational challenges. Methods This study adopted a three-stage multi-method approach. First, a Comprehensive Literature Review (CLR) was conducted to identify 19 barriers and 15 strategies related to the adoption of non-toxic materials in interior design. Second, a two-round Delphi technique was used to validate and refine these factors, involving 22 expert panelists in Round 1 and 16 in Round 2. Third, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a multi-attribute decision-making method, was used to prioritize the identified barriers and strategies based on expert qualification-weighted scores. Results The TOPSIS analysis identified the five most critical barriers as lack of awareness (Rank 1), limited client interest (Rank 2), cultural resistance (Rank 3), lack of collaboration (Rank 4), and limited data availability (Rank 5). The five highest-priority strategies were educational campaigns (Rank 1), client education initiatives (Rank 2), fostering a collaborative design culture (Rank 3), interdisciplinary collaboration (Rank 4), and developing comprehensive resource databases (Rank 5). These findings indicate that the adoption of non-toxic materials is mainly constrained by informational, cultural, and demand-side barriers, while educational and collaborative interventions offer the most effective responses. Conclusion The study provides a structured, evidence-based framework for understanding and prioritizing barriers and strategies for adopting non-toxic materials in interior design. The findings offer practical guidance for designers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders seeking to promote healthier interior environments through informed material selection and coordinated action.