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You are here: Home / Green Living / How to Choose Eco Friendly Furniture

How to Choose Eco Friendly Furniture

April 22, 2024 by Scarlet

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Great furniture expresses your style and preferences. When you buy furniture, you should first look at functionality: the types of pieces you need, how many of each, and the sizes. Then you decide on the style you want: traditional, oriental, boho, or modern contemporary style. Choosing eco-friendly furniture shows you care about making choices that help the environment. What better style could there be than one that reduces your carbon footprint? Discover the unexpected advantages of choosing eco-friendly furniture for your home, from improved indoor air quality to supporting sustainable practices in the furniture industry. Making this simple switch can benefit both your health and the environment.

Are you on the hunt for furniture that not only enhances your living space but also supports your commitment to sustainability? Our ultimate guide to choosing stylish eco-friendly furniture is here to help you transform your home into a chic and environmentally conscious sanctuary. From key considerations in selecting eco-friendly pieces to trendy design ideas and DIY tips for upcycling, this comprehensive guide has everything you need to create a stylish living space that reflects your values. Whether you’re looking to revamp your bedroom or spruce up your living room, we’ve got you covered. We provide tips on where to shop for sustainable furniture and how to incorporate it into different rooms of your home. Get ready to make a positive impact on the planet while creating a stylish and eco-friendly living space.

sustainable eco friendly furniture

What is Eco-Friendly Furniture?

Eco friendly furniture is made with eco friendly materials. One may assume this means high quality furniture made with natural materials and natural fibers such as organic cotton. That can be the case but it can also include reused materials that lower the environmental impact. Eco-friendly furniture is easy on the environment. You many consider it and eco-friendly choice if it preserves natural resources, requires less energy to manufacture and transport, and releases fewer toxins into the air and water. Ethical furniture brands take things a step further and look at the conditions under which the furniture company employees work and require fair wages.

For a large part it is the materials that distinguish eco friendly furniture from the rest. With so many products being labeled “eco-friendly,” it’s easy to lose sight of what it really means to be earth-friendly. If you want to know more, Interiorbeat has an in depth article on ecolabels and sustainability standards. Look for certifications from organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Cradle to Cradle (C2C). These ensure the furniture it meets high environmental and social standards.

Furniture may be considered eco-friendly if it is made from materials that are:

  • Free of toxic chemicals and/or harmful chemicals
  • Manufactured efficiently, with minimal waste
  • Durable and long lasting.
  • Recyclable materials
  • Recycled
  • Reclaimed
  • Sustainably grown and harvested raw materials
  • Upcycled (one of the most affordable eco friendly furniture options)

Where to Shop for Stylish Eco Friendly Furniture

Start your search for trendy and sustainable furniture pieces by exploring online retailers. Compare these with local eco-friendly boutiques, and furniture stores that specialize in environmentally-conscious products. If you’re feeling creative, one of the sections below will provide DIY tips for upcycling and repurposing furniture. This can add a personal touch to your eco-friendly design scheme.

Types Of Eco-Friendly Furniture for Your Home and Garden

Whether you are looking for garden furniture or furniture for inside your home, when you choose eco-friendly furniture you show your support for a healthy environment. Here is a wide range of eco-friendly furniture options that would be great for a home office, living room, or even outdoor furniture.

All-weather wicker sets are fully recyclable and are made in an eco-friendly way. This one is from Bridgman.

Recycled plastic wicker furniture

Furniture from Recycled and Recyclable Plastics

When manufacturers make an outdoor chair from recycled plastic, 240 fewer milk jugs go into landfills. Plus, when that chair has come to the end of its useful life, it can be recycled. Recycled and recyclable, the plastic garden chair is eco-friendly.

Manufactured wicker takes recycling to a new level. Made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), an environmentally conscious and recyclable material, wicker furniture is moisture, insect, rot, and chemical resistant. All weather wicker weave is built to last; it does not fade or deteriorate and can stay outside year round.  The wicker garden set pictured here is stylish, comfortable, AND eco-friendly.

reclaimed wood furniture
Bridgman reclaimed teak garden furniture is made from high quality reclaimed teak. It has been sourced from old buildings and disused railways and recycled in an environmentally friendly way. It makes for a gorgeous, responsible furniture outdoor dining room.

Reclaimed Wood Furniture

When old barns are demolished beautifully aged wood remains. With an eye toward preservation and conservation, artisans are reclaiming barn boards, joists, and flooring and turning them into unique pieces of furniture, from simple outdoor benches to finely crafted dining tables.

Saving old barn wood is just one way to reclaim wood. Now, environmentally conscious entrepreneurs are selling leftover wood to contractors and furniture makers. Each piece of furniture from reclaimed wood helps conserve the world’s resources.

eco friendly furniture
Eco friendly furniture made by Vermont Wood Studios uses sustainably harvested North American wood.

Sustainable Furniture

Another great choice is sustainably grown and harvested wood furniture featuring the Forest Stewardship Council certification. This type of furniture crafted from wood grown in forests that meet strict environmental standards is certainly eco-friendly. Rather than depleting resources, sustainable forestry ensures the forests continue to grow and produce quality wood decade after decade.

Look for sustainable furniture companies like the one pictured above. There are a lot of eco friendly furniture companies that make handmade furniture concentrated in North Carolina in the United States. The local artisans make everything from bed frames to side tables and coffee tables. These eco friendly products made from renewable sources make a beautiful addition to any home decor.

Used Furniture

Used furniture is an eco friendly furniture choice as well. It is certainly the least expensive but likely the most work. A broken handle, wobbly leg or saggy seat can take a lot of the appeal out of any piece of furniture. You’d be surprised at the problems you can solve with a little research, a modest tool kit and a bit of spare time. Figuring out how to fix a damaged item can restore its ability to function, providing you with many years of use and enjoyment. Applying a simple coat of no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint is a great way to breathe exciting new life into boring old items.

If you’re looking to infuse your home with a unique touch while reducing your carbon footprint, consider trying your hand at DIY upcycling and repurposing projects. Upcycling furniture not only allows you to express your creativity but also gives new life to old, worn-out pieces. You can transform an old dresser into a statement chair and ottoman or repurpose an old coffee table into a stylish kitchen island. Get inspired by browsing through online tutorials or visiting your local thrift stores for hidden gems waiting to be reinvented. By taking on these DIY projects, you can elevate your space with one-of-a-kind eco-friendly furniture that showcases both style and sustainability.

Incorporating Sustainable Furniture into Different Rooms of Your Home

Start by assessing the layout and function of each room. This will help determine the types of eco-friendly furniture that would best fit your needs. For example, consider adding a reclaimed wood dining table in your kitchen for a rustic touch or swapping out your old couch for a sustainable bamboo sofa in the living room.

Think about how each piece of eco-friendly furniture can complement the existing decor and color scheme of the room. Mixing and matching different styles and materials can create a harmonious blend that adds character and charm to your home. Look for pieces that not only look good but also serve a practical purpose, such as storage ottomans or shelving units made from upcycled materials.

By strategically placing eco-friendly furniture throughout your home, you can create a cohesive and stylish look that reflects your commitment to sustainability. Whether you’re revamping your entire space or just adding a few key pieces, incorporating eco-friendly furniture into different rooms can make a big impact on both the aesthetic appeal and environmental impact of your home.

Conclusion

Eco-friendly furniture doesn’t need to look any different or cost more. Homeowners will love knowing their purchases are helping support the environment. By choosing furniture from companies that prioritize energy efficiency, waste reduction, and fair labor practices, you can select stylish eco-friendly furniture that aligns with your values and helps to create a more sustainable home environment. Do you have any eco-friendly furniture pieces you’d like to brag about or suggestions for sourcing affordable eco-friendly furniture? Share them with me on social @familyfocusblog!

Related Posts:

How to Decorate A Small Living Room

Furniture Repair Tips

15 Tips For A More Eco Friendly Home

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Comments

  1. Robin says

    November 9, 2012 at 6:00 am

    How cool! At one of our local zoos there is a bench with a sign on it that it’s made from recycled milk jugs and the kids and I study it every time we go. It’s amazing – and totally AWESOME.

  2. Jane Ross says

    December 8, 2012 at 6:23 am

    I am a long time supporter of environmental causes. West Elm is one of my favorite sustainable furniture brands.

  3. Tony says

    January 17, 2013 at 10:37 am

    Honestly I’m fed up with the “single use/disponsable” culture, and prefer the “use and keep” one.
    I made a small reserch on the web, and I found some eco friendly furniture made with sustainable materials.

  4. Small Footprints says

    February 18, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    I love the idea of the old barn wood … what a great use for it. I’d also add that second-hand stores are great places to shop for Eco-friendly furniture. They might not have been manufactured in a green way, using green materials, but now that they are “in the system”, buying them prevents new pieces from being purchased. Wonderful post … thank you!

  5. Remy Albert says

    April 23, 2024 at 10:47 am

    So important to consider VOC emissions! I had no idea some furniture and paints could off-gas harmful chemicals… I want refinish old furniture in an eco-friendly way.

  6. Noida says

    April 26, 2024 at 1:10 am

    This article isa a helpful guide for anyone looking to make more sustainable choices for their home furnishings. Can’t wait to explore these tips and learn how to prioritize environmental responsibility when shopping for furniture. Thanks for sharing this informative resource!

  7. vidsrc says

    May 1, 2024 at 3:33 pm

    Your writing is a true testament to your expertise and dedication to your craft. I’m continually impressed by the depth of your knowledge and the clarity of your explanations. Keep up the phenomenal work!

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Thanks for reading Family Focus Blog, a parenting and lifestyle blog that provides tips, advice, and inspiration for families. It covers a wide range of topics, including parenting tips, family-friendly recipes, eco-friendly living, family travel, home decor, and family activities. The blog was created in 2010 by Nashville mom blogger, Scarlet Paolicchi. She shares her personal experiences and practical advice for raising children and maintaining a balanced family life. Scarlet Paolicchi is the author of four books, available through her affiliate link on Amazon.

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