Choosing eco-friendly furniture and decor is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the environment.
It also helps you avoid exposure to toxins like BPA, phthalates, lead paint, and even certain glues that have been linked with asthma or allergies in children.
You can make sure that your home is free from these harmful substances by carefully selecting the materials used in your furniture and decor pieces. Here are some tips for how do this:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Choosing eco-friendly furniture and decor is an important step towards creating a sustainable home. |
| Sustainable furniture and decor can be made from materials like sustainably harvested wood, recycled materials, or natural materials like bamboo or hemp. |
| Look for furniture that has been certified by a third-party organization like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). |
| You can make your existing furniture more eco-friendly by upcycling it or using eco-friendly paint or finishes. |
| Using eco-friendly furniture and decor can reduce your environmental impact, improve indoor air quality, and promote sustainable production methods. |
Buy Second Hand
Buying second hand is a great way to save money, support local businesses and the community, and help out your local economy.
You can also feel good knowing that you’re supporting the environment by avoiding things like manufacturing new products or shipping them in.
Buying second hand is also a great way of supporting your health and well-being because it’s easier on the environment and thus produces less air pollution which can lead to respiratory issues such as asthma attacks or even heart problems down the road.
If you’re still worried about buying second hand furniture because of its quality then don’t be! Most pieces are perfectly fine unless they’ve been used excessively (and then they wouldn’t be available for sale anyway.)
Choosing eco-friendly furniture and decor is just one step towards creating a sustainable home. Check out our article on 10 Simple Tips for Creating a Green and Sustainable Home to discover more ways to make your home environmentally friendly.
Get Furniture Made From Recycled Materials
If you want furniture that will last and won’t break the bank, consider investing in recycled materials. These can be found at thrift stores, garage sales or online. You may also be able to get them from friends and family who are getting rid of some old furniture pieces.
There are many advantages to using recycled furniture. First, this type of material is more durable than new materials because it has already been tested by time and usage before it was repurposed into something else (like a chair).
Second, recycled items usually cost less than their brand-new counterparts—so you’ll have more money left over for other purchases! Lastly, choosing eco-friendly furnishings might help make your home even more green by reducing the amount of waste you create over time!
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Upcycled Metal Barrel Chair | This chair is made from a recycled metal barrel and features a unique design. |
| Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table | This coffee table is made from reclaimed wood, giving it a rustic and environmentally friendly look. |
| Recycled Plastic Adirondack Chair | Made from recycled plastic, this Adirondack chair is durable and easy to maintain. |
| Eco-Friendly Recycled Glass Vase | This beautiful vase is made from recycled glass, making it a stylish and eco-friendly choice. |
| Repurposed Tire Ottoman | This ottoman is made from repurposed tires, giving it a unique and industrial look. |
Don’t Buy Plastic, Especially Faux Wood
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to start greening your home, the best place to start is by reducing your use of plastic. Here’s why:
Plastic is made from non-renewable resources like oil and natural gas. This means that we’re using up finite resources on something that will never get replaced once it’s gone.
It also means that each piece of plastic has a limited lifespan before it breaks down into smaller pieces that don’t biodegrade easily and can pollute waterways or landfills when not recycled properly or disposed of improperly.
Even if you recycle your plastics properly, they aren’t actually being reused in new products—they’re being reshaped into other materials like fleece jackets, fleece sheets (yes!), rain ponchos (again yes!), beach balls, car bumpers…and so on!
Finally, there are now studies being done which show links between breast cancer risk and exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an organic compound found in some types of plastics used in food packaging.
BPA may be linked with certain reproductive disorders as well as prostate cancer; however this link is still being studied by scientists around the world so we don’t have all the answers yet!
If you’re new to the world of eco-friendly decorating, our article on Creating a Green and Natural Home: A Beginner’s Guide is the perfect place to start. Learn the basics of sustainable home decor and how to make your home more environmentally friendly.
Make Sure Outdoor Furniture Is Weather-Resistant
If you’re looking for a new patio set, check the label on the furniture before buying. It should be made from weather-resistant materials like plastic, metal or wood.
A good way to test whether your outdoor furniture is durable enough is by looking at how thick its material is. If it’s too thin, it will break easily when exposed to the elements and may even start rotting after several seasons of use.
If you already own an older set of plastic patio chairs that are starting to look a little worse for wear but still serve their purpose well enough, consider investing in some covers so that your furniture stays clean and dry when not in use (and don’t forget about umbrellas!).
You can find these all over online stores like Amazon; just make sure they contain UV protection so they don’t fade over time (and maybe even consider getting one with an antimicrobial treatment).
Buy Forward-Thinking Brands
If you want to shop for furniture that will help the environment and keep your home looking stylish, look for companies that are committed to sustainability.
If a brand is making products with recycled materials or using sustainable sources, it’s likely their manufacturing processes are also environmentally friendly.
Many companies will be upfront about their eco-friendliness just check out the “Materials” section of a website or catalog so you know what the company uses in their products.
Also consider whether they use renewable energy at their factories and offices. This can include solar panels on roofs, wind turbines and hydroelectricity plants (or even versions of these).
Switching to green home decor has many benefits, from reducing your environmental impact to improving your health. Check out our article on The Benefits of Green Home Decor: Why You Should Make the Switch to discover all the reasons why you should consider making the switch.
Think About The Future
When you think about buying something new, it’s easy to just consider how it will look in your home and how you’ll use it. But if you’re looking for eco-friendly furniture and decor, there are more factors to consider.
For example, what happens when the item breaks? Will it be easy to fix or replace? Or will you have to throw out a perfectly good item just because the manufacturer has decided not to make replacement parts anymore? If that’s the case, then maybe those eco-friendly materials weren’t so great after all; they certainly didn’t last as long as they should!
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Modular Shelving System | This modular shelving system is made from sustainable materials and can be reconfigured as your needs change. |
| Reusable Food Containers | These reusable food containers are made from eco-friendly materials like glass or stainless steel and can help reduce waste. |
| Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs | Energy-efficient light bulbs use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs, reducing your carbon footprint. |
| Renewable Energy Sources | Consider installing solar panels or wind turbines to generate your own renewable energy and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. |
| Electric Vehicles | Electric vehicles produce fewer emissions than traditional cars, making them a more environmentally friendly choice. |
Avoid Products Made In China
China is the world’s largest consumer of wood, cotton and paper, so if you buy any of these products, it’s likely they were harvested from a Chinese forest.
While China has made some progress to protect natural resources, its record on environmental protection is poor.
In fact, according to The World Bank: “the country’s air pollution has reached dangerous levels; approximately 60 percent of Chinese cities fail to meet national standards for air quality.”
Additionally, because there are no regulations governing furniture production in China (and many other industries), there are concerns about the use of recycled materials or hazardous chemicals in furniture manufacturing processes.
Stay Away From Products With Lots Of Packaging
One of the best ways to be eco-friendly is to purchase furniture that has as little packaging as possible.
You should also avoid products with excessive packaging, such as a TV in a huge cardboard box. If you have to purchase something that comes with a lot of plastic or foam material, it’s important to reuse it and recycle the unwanted materials once you have used them.
Another thing to consider when buying furniture is how much time that product will take up in your house after use.
If a piece of furniture will be barely seen because it’s tucked away somewhere like under stairs or behind doors, then it may not matter too much if it is made from environmentally friendly materials.
However if you’re going for something visually appealing then look at all options before making any decisions about what type of material will work best for you!
Eco-friendly decorating is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and create a healthier home. Our article on Eco-Friendly Decorating: How to Go Green in Your Home provides tips and tricks for incorporating sustainable decor into your home.
Choose Companies That Support Eco-Friendly Initiatives
When you’re shopping for eco-friendly furniture and decor, one of the best things you can do to determine whether a company is actually committed to sustainability is look at its website. In general, look for companies that are transparent about their environmental impact and have initiatives in place to reduce waste, energy consumption and other negative impacts on our environment.
Look At The Packaging And Materials Involved In Shipping Before You Buy
Before you buy anything, consider how much packaging will be involved. This can include the cardboard box it comes in, any styrofoam padding or plastic wrapping, and even the tape used to close the box.
How much waste will this generate? How fragile is your item? Will they deliver it quickly? You might also want to ask them if they recycle their packaging materials or have other recycling initiatives in place.
Buy It For Life – Quality Over Quantity
When you are purchasing furniture and decor, it is important to buy items that will last. One way to do this is by buying quality items.
Quality furniture will be more comfortable, easier to maintain, safer for your family and more stylish than lower-quality products.
Buying quality also means that you won’t have to replace your furniture as often because they will last longer before they need repairs or replacement parts.
Upcycling is a fun and creative way to make use of waste materials and create unique home decor. Check out our article on How to Upcycle Your Waste Into Beautiful Home Decor for inspiration and ideas on how to turn your trash into treasure
Conclusion
This is the best way to make sure that your furniture is made with care and quality. Buying it for life means you will be able to keep your furniture for many years and not have to worry about replacing anything anytime soon.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about eco-friendly furniture and decor:
The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Furniture: This guide provides an in-depth look at sustainable furniture materials and production methods, as well as tips for buying eco-friendly furniture.
How to Go Green: Furniture: This article provides practical tips for choosing eco-friendly furniture and reducing your environmental impact.
How to Choose Environmentally Friendly Furniture: This guide explains how to identify environmentally friendly furniture and provides tips for making sustainable choices when shopping for furniture.
FAQs
What is eco-friendly furniture?
Eco-friendly furniture is furniture that has been produced using environmentally sustainable practices and materials. This can include furniture made from sustainably harvested wood, recycled materials, or natural materials like bamboo or hemp.
How can I tell if furniture is eco-friendly?
Look for furniture that has been certified by a third-party organization like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which certifies sustainably harvested wood, or the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which certifies organic textiles. You can also look for furniture made from recycled materials or natural materials like bamboo or cork.
What are some sustainable furniture materials?
Sustainable furniture materials include sustainably harvested wood, recycled materials like plastic or metal, and natural materials like bamboo, cork, or hemp.
How can I make my existing furniture more eco-friendly?
You can make your existing furniture more eco-friendly by upcycling it, using eco-friendly paint or finishes, or adding eco-friendly accessories like cushions made from organic cotton or wool.
What are some benefits of using eco-friendly furniture and decor?
Using eco-friendly furniture and decor can help reduce your environmental impact, improve indoor air quality, and promote sustainable production methods. It can also be a stylish and unique way to decorate your home while also making a positive impact on the planet.
I am Hellen, I’ve been passionate about sustainability for as long as I can remember. It’s something that my mom taught me from a young age, and it’s something that has shaped my life in so many ways.