A Guide to Buying Sustainable Furniture that is Eco-Friendly
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discard more than 12 million tons of furniture every year. Therefore, waste, such as metal, glass, foam, wood, etc., ends up in landfills. Moreover, the use of chemicals to prepare furniture also poses a threat to the environment as well as the people. Thankfully, the interior design industry has started to recognize the sustainability problem. And many brands are taking a more eco-friendly approach to the production of furniture.
Eco-friendly furniture is not only less expensive but also appealing and in line with the décor trends today. Let’s understand more about it in detail.
What is eco-friendly furniture?
As the name suggests, eco-friendly furniture is sustainable furniture with a minimum negative impact on the environment. Everything from furniture made of reclaimed wood to furniture made of sustainable material comes under the category of environment-friendly furniture.
Why is eco-friendly furniture a better choice?
Eco-friendly sustainable furniture is made from materials that can either be repurposed or recycled. Sustainable furniture is also made using materials that can be easily renewed. This significantly reduces the damage caused to the environment, and the lesser the impact on the environment, the better the overall state of the planet will be.
Other benefits of green furniture include:
- A safer home environment
- Reduced harmful pollutants because of lesser amounts of chemicals used in fabrics, paints, and other manufacturing materials
- Reduced risk of migraines, allergies, or asthma
Eco-Friendly Furnishing Materials
- Bamboo
A great alternative to wood, bamboo is a perfectly sustainable furnishing material. It is tall and wood-like grass that can grow up to three feet in a span of 24 hours. Bamboo has high compressive and tensile strength, making the furniture made out of this material strong and durable. Moreover, it is light in weight and makes for an attractive material for beds, tables, shelves, lampshades, baskets, etc. - Rattan and Wicker
Another eco-friendly furnishing material, rattan is an easily renewed species of palm trees and is similar to bamboo. It is flexible and durable, which makes it a wonderful green furnishing material. Rattan is usually coupled with wicker, a fiber made using swamp grass and reed, which is woven to make aesthetic seating, baskets, lampshades, etc. - Oak
Oak is a sustainable furnishing choice since it absorbs carbon dioxide emissions, doesn’t release harmful chemicals, and isn’t toxic to the environment. Moreover, oak can be shaped into any furniture piece easily, adding to its natural beauty. - Abaca
Abaca, an environment-friendly fiber, has been considered a ‘Future Fiber’ by the United Nations. Hard abaca fiber is a member of the banana family and is very strong and durable. Moreover, abaca fiber is not taken from rain forests, allowing them to live longer. Instead, it is taken from banana trees since they grow quickly. - Engineered Veneer
Engineered veneer has many names, such as reconstructed wood, composite wood, man-made wood, and manufactured wood. It is usually made from timber logs as well as natural wood with some other materials mixed in. Choosing engineered veneers instead of hardwood sheets for furniture means reduced tree sawing and forest conservation. - Ashwood
Ashwood taken from Ash trees is hard, even more than oak, and is a great choice for making environment-friendly furniture. It is a sustainable furnishing material since ash trees grow fast, are self-seeding, and available in abundance. Ashwood furniture is hard and strong and is perfect for areas with pleasant weather. - Cane
Cane is produced by stripping the rattan plant. It is a thinner material that is not just eco-friendly but is also aesthetic, making it perfect for outdoors or natural settings. - African Blond Teakwood
African teakwood is strong as well as water-resistant, which protects it from rotting. Teak is ‘plantation-grown,’ which is an excellent way to protect natural forests. - Onyx
Onyx is a natural stone that has a unique, charming, and luxurious appearance. It is a great alternative to natural wood. - Carrara Marble
Carrara marble is a great alternative to white marble. Not only does it make the furniture look chic and stylish, it is available in abundance and is also less expensive
Top Brands That Sell Sustainable Furniture
Here are some excellent brands that are preferred for their stunning yet eco-friendly furniture:
Porventura
Porventura is a contemporary furniture brand based in Portugal that stems from the idea of using materials and techniques that do not have a negative impact on the environment. The brand respects the needs of the planet and uses materials such as natural woods, rattan, and wicker.
TON
TON is a traditional brand known for its bentwood furniture made using manual techniques. The brand’s ethos is to use friendly techniques and materials, such as cane, leather, and wood that comes from certified sources responsible for sustainable forest management. TON has a huge focus on decreasing its carbon footprint through not just the use of sustainable material but also through packaging recycling.
Oliver B Italy
Oliver B Italy is known for its finest furniture pieces synonymous with luxury and its use of oak wood – a sustainable furnishing choice. Moreover, each furniture piece by Oliver B Italy is carefully crafted with special attention to detail.
Kenneth Cobonpue
Kenneth Cobonpue, a Philippine-based brand, artfully integrates natural materials with handmade materials to create some of the most eccentric furniture pieces. The brand uses natural fibers, such as rattan, and has successfully created a new definition of modern design. From the members of royalty to Hollywood celebrities, Kenneth Cobonpue’s clientele is as impressive as its fascinating and eco-friendly furniture.
Kam Ce Kam
Kam Ce Kam is a furniture brand based in India that consciously crafts sustainable, eco-friendly furniture made of rattan, cane, and solid wood. The brand also offers sustainable accessories, including ceramics, decorative boxes, cushions, candle stands, etc. Moreover, it offers bespoke furniture pieces made to align with your taste and senses.
MG12
MG12 is an Italy-based brand that consciously produces sustainable furniture and other products, including fittings and accessories. The choice of material for the brand includes wood, brass, marble, and others that are not pollutant in nature. Moreover, MG12 products are innovative and elegant, perfect for adding charm to any space.
Mois
A furniture and accessory brand based in Turkey, Mois is known for its wide range of furniture and décor pieces made using 100% wood. The expert team at Mois uses solid wood materials and modern technology to create design products with exemplary standards of quality and aesthetics. From tables and consoles to beds and dressers, every Mois furniture element is sustainable and sophisticated.
Avanti One
The sustainable furniture by Avanti One displays the use of solid wood in combination with metals. The contemporary finish of the brand’s products is just right for elegant interior spaces. It also offers excellent design products with woodwork top to bottom.
The best part about using eco-friendly, sustainable furniture is that it allows you to contribute towards saving the planet while at the same time not compromise on the aesthetics of your space. So, browse through your options and make an environment-friendly choice.
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