Ideas & Inspiration

A Guide to Buying Sustainable Furniture that is Eco-Friendly

October 24, 2023
6 min

In today’s environmentally conscious world, more and more people are seeking eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives for their everyday choices. This includes not only the food we eat and the cars we drive but also the furniture we use in our homes. Sustainable furniture is an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and make more responsible purchasing decisions.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans discard more than 9.8 million tons of furniture annually. 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 furniture production.

In this guide, we’ll explore what sustainable furniture is, why it matters, and how you can make informed choices to furnish your home in an eco-friendly way.

Table of Contents

What is Sustainable Furniture?

As the name suggests, sustainable furniture is eco-friendly furniture with a minimum negative impact on the environment. This category encompasses various options, from pieces made of reclaimed wood to those using renewable and eco-conscious materials. Sustainable furniture is made to be durable, so it can withstand the test of time, reducing the need for replacements.

Why is Eco Friendly Furniture a Better Choice?

Eco Friendly wood and rattan chairs — Eco Friendly Wood and Rattan Chairs

Eco-friendly sustainable furniture is made from materials that can be repurposed, recycled, or renewed, reducing the damage inflicted on the environment.

Eco friendly furniture offers numerous benefits, making it a better choice for both your home and the planet.

Environmental Impact: Eco-friendly furniture is designed to have a minimal ecological footprint. It uses sustainable materials and manufacturing processes that reduce resource depletion, pollution, and waste.
Healthier Indoor Environment: Sustainable furniture is often made with non-toxic materials, which means it won’t release harmful chemicals into your home, improving indoor air quality.
Longevity: These pieces are built to last. Their durability reduces the need for replacement, saving both money and resources.
Unique Designs: Many sustainable furniture brands focus on craftsmanship and unique design, giving your home a distinctive look.

What are Sustainable Materials?

wooden dining table — Wooden Coffee Table

Sustainable furniture is crafted using a variety of materials that are both eco-friendly and long-lasting. Some common sustainable materials include:

Bamboo
A great alternative to wood, bamboo is a rapidly growing grass with remarkable strength. 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 sustainable 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 not only durable but also environmentally friendly, as it absorbs carbon dioxide and poses no harm to the ecosystem. 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 rainforests, 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. 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:

Objectry

Concrete Round dining table and wood chair — Concrete Dining Table

Objectry offers a range of sustainable and aesthetically pleasing furniture pieces that are designed with a focus on eco-friendly materials and craftsmanship. Their collection boasts a range of eco-friendly furniture pieces, handcrafted with precision and designed to elevate your living spaces.

Objectry’s dedication to using environmentally responsible materials like natural woods, concrete, and ceramic sets them apart in the world of sustainable furniture.

Lakkadshala

Lakkadshala is renowned for its eco-conscious approach to furniture design. They prioritize sustainable materials and techniques to craft distinctive and functional pieces.

The brand encourages artisans to adopt sustainable crafting methods and incorporate recycled materials into their handcrafts. Lakkadshala is dedicated to using clean and sustainable materials, continually striving for improvement in its sustainability practices.

Mistiqa

Mistiqa crafts sustainable furniture with a modern design using eco-friendly materials. They focus on four key areas: sourcing sustainable and ethical materials, including FSC-certified wood; using natural fabrics and dyes for upholstery; adhering to international standards for animal well-being in leather production; and exceeding ambitious emission standards.

Mistiqa maintains a broad environmental approach with numerous small procedures for a positive impact on the environment and society.

Mianzi

bamboo and wood furniture — Eco Friendly Furniture

Mianzi is a home décor and furnishing brand committed to redefining sustainability through eco-conscious design. They focus on bamboo, seeking to combine sustainability, modern aesthetics, and cultural heritage, all while considering it as a future-oriented industrial material. Their approach aims to revolutionize product architecture and celebrate the craftsmanship of local artisans.

This and That

This and That brand is dedicated to eco-conscious design, specializing in sustainable furniture that prioritizes minimalism and functionality. They integrate three core values in their design approach: traditional techniques, sustainable materials, and an aesthetic cultivated through both research and instinct.

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

Wood Armchair and side table — Sustainable Wooden Furniture

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 pollutants 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.

Conclusion

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 compromising on the aesthetics of your space. By choosing eco-friendly options and supporting brands that prioritize sustainability, you can reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the world. Make a statement in your living space with furniture that not only looks good but also contributes to a healthier planet. Start your journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle with sustainable furniture.

Reference:

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS126369713020110506

Aisha Saiyad

Being an experienced interior designer with 7 years in the industry, Aisha has developed a wide skill set, including designing, sourcing materials, and sales management. She is excellent at providing customer service and satisfaction and to enhance her knowledge she likes to explore design trends and styles. She has a passion for bowling and traveling and her hobbies include creating art and listening to music. You can contact her at ss03@arcedior.com.

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