Sustainable Furniture Guide: Go Green with Eco-Friendly Décor
A lot of us are making our best effort to “go green,” and although many people associate these practices with emissions or recycling, you can also do your part by purchasing environmentally friendly furniture. You may not think of your home’s furnishings as something that contributes negatively to the ecosystem, but the reality is that with the high production volume and the use of many natural materials in their construction, furniture can and should be produced in a sustainable way when possible.
For the eco-conscious homeowner who is shopping for items in their residence that fall under the green category, it can be difficult to know where to look to find the right brands or identify the correct materials and claims from a sticker. More importantly, you want to know how much of an impact it can make on your budget and lifestyle while still appearing stylish and comfortable.
In this eco-friendly furniture guide, we’ll explore the world of sustainable home décor products and how they’ve begun to push the industry standard when it comes to designing quality items in a resourceful manner.
What Makes Furniture Eco-Friendly?
The manufacturing and production of any goods have an effect on the environment around them, both in their construction and the types of materials we interact with in our homes. Here are some things to know about sustainable furniture practices.
Ethically Sourced Materials
Furniture and other home décor are usually a substantial size, which means that a lot of wood, fabric, assorted metals, and other materials are used when building these pieces. Certain recycled versions of these items can also be used, such as reclaimed wood and plastics, and other companies strictly use wood from FSC-certified forests where they’re procuring it ethically.
Another common trend has been moving away from the more traditional substances and using other longer-lasting materials, such as bamboo, which is equally sturdy and has quite a bit more longevity. It also grows quickly and pretty easily. Manufacturers are also turning to natural fibers, like linen which is comprised of sustainable flax, organic cotton, hemp, and others.
This Lakeview Sideboard is an example of a sophisticated item crafted from sustainable rubberwood solids and complete with a natural marble countertop. You can still sense the authentic appeal of its look, although the rubberwood is similar to bamboo in its renewable sourcing.
All of these choices are an effort to help reduce the potential environmental effects that come with the production of each item over time.
Use of Non-Toxic Chemicals
Because most furniture products are comprised of natural contents, there are often many chemicals involved in processes like cleaning, staining, and painting the goods during their manufacturing. Some products use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their construction, mostly in their building materials and in paints, which can lead to toxins being emitted indoors.
Striving for low- or non-VOC finishes can make your home safer for those inside, and reduce our dependence on these toxic chemicals. Another popular alternative is water-based paints or stains, which avoid the use of these ingredients in the makeup of these solutions altogether.
It’s also important to note that eco-friendly woods and other organic materials are usually treated with special substances that ensure their longevity and significantly reduce the chance of natural decay. This is so your furniture can be enjoyed in your home for years to come. You want to ensure that these treatment processes are not only being done comprehensively but also using quality, non-toxic techniques.
Green Manufacturing Goals
There are a ton of ways for businesses to establish sustainable practices throughout their manufacturing cycle, but not all furniture and home décor producers are there yet. If you’re in the market for an eco-friendly mattress, brands like Purple have set a standard by making their entire production process sustainable, using natural fabrics, reusing their excess thread instead of wasting it, and making all of their mattresses 100% recyclable.
Take this queen-sized Restore Firm Mattress by Purple Innovations, which utilizes anti-microbial fabrics that keep the sleeping surface both clean and healthy for the duration of its lifespan, eliminating the chances for allergens, bacteria, and more from building up over time.
How To Spot Sustainable Furniture
One of the cool things about purchasing eco-friendly furniture for your home is that it doesn’t stand out as any different from other materials. Sustainable woods, faux leathers, and natural fabrics often have just as much of a visual appeal as their counterparts, and they can even come in additional colorations that wouldn’t be possible with natural substances or chemical elements.
With the prices of wood becoming more and more expensive by the year, sustainable furniture can be evident when you see numerous pieces of matching wood furniture, such as a living room or bedroom set.
Take this Scott Storage Bed, Dresser & Mirror set, which are heavily comprised of rubber wood. Not only do you get a beautiful walnut finish that evokes rustic and farmhouse tones, but you’re able to purchase multiple larger pieces that are just as well-made for a much more affordable price.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Furniture
There are numerous benefits to filling your home with eco-furniture, which include everything from personal peace of mind to eliminating harmful toxins and lowering product costs. Here are the main positives to take away when selecting these styles for your space.
- General Environmental Benefits – Curbing carbon emissions during factory production, reducing practices like deforestation, and creating items that can be recycled more easily are just some of the ways you can put the environment first before deciding which furniture to buy.
- Sustainable Production – When it comes to resource allocation, companies who prioritize obtaining FSC-certified materials, eliminating chemicals or toxins, and building environmentally-friendly facilities can help drive down costs for both themselves and consumers, all while providing the incentive of “going green” to the buyer.
- Personal Health Benefits – No one wants to live in a home where their own furniture is harmful, so making sure you have low-VOC finishes, allergy-free or anti-microbial fabrics, and less exposure to toxins overall will surely improve your quality of life.
- Durability and Longevity – It’s become increasingly well-known that these sorts of products are sustainable in every sense of the word, meaning they’re not only eco-conscious but also tend to last much longer and have just as much quality in their craftsmanship, if not more, thanks to refined manufacturing practices.
It’s also not lost on us that these pieces need to be functional for everyday use, so for instance, when assembling a sustainable bed, you can’t forget the importance of quality, natural sheets. These Malouf Bamboo Sheets are both breathable and soft for sensitive skin, but they’re also hypoallergenic and odor-resistant to help provide you with a more satisfying sleeping experience.
What Makes Sustainable Furniture Different?
If you’re in the market for furniture that will make an impact both inside and outside your home, you should look out for companies that are targeting these three main qualities: ethically sourced or non-toxic materials, green production standards, and overall build quality. This combination of factors results in more comprehensive eco-friendly products, and even just skipping out on one of these business decisions can eliminate the benefits and pass along a false sense of activism to the customer.
Be sure to check the product descriptions carefully, keeping in mind which expectations you have for materials, such as stained finishes, fabrics, protectants, threading, and more. You can also do research on the company, or even stop into a Mor Furniture showroom and ask one of our trained experts about our sustainable furniture options. Our colleagues are always on-site to help you find the appropriate needs for your home, and we understand the importance of reducing the overall nature of harmful qualities that furniture may emit in your living space.
If you’re looking to improve your home’s furnishings but still trying to reduce your environmental impact, sustainable furniture is a great way to think forward while still ensuring you’re receiving a quality product. Visit your nearest Mor Furniture to discover all the endless green décor possibilities that are available — you may not have even realized how many manufacturers are implementing these standards in their inventory.