Sustainable decision making is a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problem, often requiring the evaluation of numerous alternatives based on conflicting criteria. Many traditional MCDA methods rely on synthetic ideal and anti-ideal solutions, which may not align with the preferences of decision-makers who simply wish to replace a broken device with a similar one. In this paper, we propose a novel MCDA approach, which ranks alternatives based on their proximity to a reference model target solution, representing the user’s preferred characteristics. This method is particularly useful in cases where the decision-maker has prior experience with a product and seeks a comparable replacement. We demonstrate its effectiveness through a case study on washing machine selection. Our findings highlight the practical advantages of the proposed approach over conventional MCDA techniques, offering a more intuitive and user-centered decision process.