5 Eco-Friendly Furniture Ideas

                      

Living greener has never been easier. The market for eco-friendly products is continually expanding, and the options for green furniture are varied and numerous. Ecologically friendly furniture is made from natural, reusable materials and is not treated with toxins or contaminants. Make sure your interior is eco-friendly with the following green furniture ideas.

Purchase eco-friendly wood furniture

An eco-friendly label on wood furniture guarantees that the furniture has been built without the use of toxic paints or glues, and often indicates that it has been repurposed from old wood furniture. Using recycled materials helps stop deforestation.

Promote forest conservation by purchasing eco-friendly furniture with the FSC seal of approval, which ensures that the wood used comes from forests that are responsibly managed, maintained and protected. Whenever you buy eco-friendly wood furniture, you can be sure that another tree was planted to replace the one that was used to make your kitchen table.

Purchase furniture made from sustainable raw materials

Bamboo is a sustainable raw material that is a great alternative to the traditional materials used to build furniture. Fast-growing and easily harvested, this eco-friendly building material is durable, strong and aesthetically pleasing.

Wicker is another eco-friendly sustainable material made from plants such as willow, bamboo and reed. Some ideas for rattan furniture include desks, sofas and dining chairs.

Teak is yet another sustainable plant. Purchase a rustic teak stool or table from a fair trade corporation and rest assured that the employees who made your eco-friendly furniture were paid fair wages.

Purchase furniture made from eco-friendly polymers

Ecologically friendly polymers are another great option for green furniture, especially garden furniture. 100 percent recyclable eco-polymer furniture is water resistant and as such won’t yield to mildew or mold.

Purchase eco-friendly bedding and cushions

Those decorative pillows that look so good on your bed and sofa are most likely made out of PVC or polyurethane, two harmful materials that contain a variety of toxic chemicals. Next time, purchase cushions made out of soy or latex, natural, eco-friendly materials that won’t damage the environment. Consider purchasing bedding made from organic cotton, which is produced without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals.

Refurbish your old furniture

Throwing away that old wood desk or trunk? It will either be burned, releasing toxins into the air, or it will sit in a landfill where the toxins will eventually seep into our waterways. Either way, it is worth considering refurbishing your old wood furniture. Why purchase recycled wood when you can reduce and reuse directly? Another green idea is to purchase refurbished furniture from a flea market or thrift store.