Clothing is one thing. But have you considered shopping for the best sustainable furniture brands for your home, too?
By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
Here at Eluxe, we talk a lot about shopping for sustainable fashion. We know it’s more important now than ever for conscious consumers that their clothing is ethically made from sustainable fibres.
But what about furniture?
Just as with clothing, furnishings can be coated with toxic finishing chemicals to keep them from wrinkling or staining. They can use eco-friendly fabrics like hemp and recycled plastic – or not. They can use nasty glues and preservatives that harm your health. And just as with clothing, the most sustainable furniture is pre-loved; even antiques fall in to that category!
But if you’re looking for new stuff for your home, you’re probably wondering: what are the best sustainable furniture brands I can buy? Can I order eco-friendly furniture online for delivery? What makes a furniture brand ‘sustainable’?
I would like to help answer those questions!
I’ve searched the web for brands that don’t use harsh chemicals to create their beds, tables, sofas and so on. Companies that use natural, upcycled and/or recycled materials, that are ethically and sustainably sourced. And you know what’s cool? Some of these sustainable furniture brands also sell clothing, too!
Ready to make your home more gorgeous – and eco-friendly?
Best Sustainable Furniture Brands For Your Home
1. Medley
This thoughtfully-sourced furniture manufacturer is focused on designing chic, minimalist, eco-friendly pieces for the home. Kiln-dried alder hardwood is used for furniture frames, whilst solid walnut and maple are the materials for tables and other hard goods. Of course, all their wood comes from FSC-certified forests. Medley creates what they call ‘people furniture,’ because it’s ethically made by artisans, using old-school techniques at their workshop in Los Angeles. But we’d call it ‘earth furniture’ too, since it’s kind to the planet, too!
Based in: Los Angeles
What’s on offer: sofas, beds, accent chairs, dining, ottomans, benches
2. Etsy
Looking for locally made or reclaimed furnishings from small makers and sellers? Welcome to the treasure trove that is Etsy! Whether you are looking for tables, chairs, or wardrobes, you’ll be sure to find some beautiful pieces that are for sale near you. You can search for whatever you prioritise; for example: ‘reclaimed wood desk’ or ‘vintage lamp’ to ensure you get the sustainable qualities that matter most to you. There’s so much amazing stuff here, you’ll be guaranteed to adorn your humble abode with sustainable style.
Based in: Worldwide
What’s on offer: Lamps, tables, chairs, wardrobes – you name it!
3. West Elm
Social and environmental sustainability is key for this well known British brand, which is also dedicated to supporting ethical initiatives such as Fair Trade community development through its products. West Elm’s Furniture is as green as can be, thanks to their use of FSC- certified woods, organic cotton and other certified non-toxic materials.
The brand is very proud to allow its customers to shop according to their values. You can search for handcrafted, organic, or Fair Trade certified furnishings, for example.
Based in: UK
What’s on offer: Soft furnishings, coffee tables, media consoles, desks, dining tables, carpets and more
4. Made Trade
Made Trade gets its name from the fact that most of their furnishings are ‘made’ from fair ‘trade’. Artisanal craftsmanship from around the world defines this family-run company. They offer classically simple, clean-lined furnishings for the home, as well as soft furnishings such as carpets, bedding and curtains made from organic cotton, linen and hemp. But the best part? They sell ethical and eco-friendly clothing and accessories, too! It’s really a one-stop online department store for all your sustainable needs.
Based in: Portland
What’s on offer: Wall decor, bedding, accent chairs, hampers.
5. Avocado
Did you know that most mattresses are highly toxic? They’re infused with flame-retardants and other chemicals, the fumes of which you breathe in each night. They’re also usually made from polyester and other non-ecological materials.
Luckily, Avocado brings an environmental touch to your sleep, with their eco-friendly beds! Their frames, headboards and other bedroom furnishings are all made from 100% reclaimed wood finished with a zero-VOC sealant. Their mattresses are made from 100% organic materials. And the best part? They offer pillows, sheets and blankets that are also purely organic.
Based in: USA
What’s on offer: Mattresses, bedding, bedroom furniture
6. Eco Balanza
The organic sofas and chairs made by Eco Balanza combine classic styles with modern colours and lines. While most sofas and chairs are stuffed with polyfoams and covered with chemically-treated fabrics, this brand meticulously chooses the sustainable materials for its creations. Eco Balanza is proud to ensure their products are 100% free of all nasties, which prevents any potential allergies on your skin, as well as any detrimental aspects on the planet.
Based in: USA
What’s on offer: Headboards, sectionals, sofas, armchairs
7. Vermont Wood Studios
If you’ve always dreamt of living in a log cabin in the woods but are stuck in an urban setting, you can recreate a naturalistic look inside your home with Vermont Wood Studios. This company was created with the goal of promoting sustainable wood furniture as an alternative to pieces made from vulnerable species of wood. Not only do they only use FSC certified lumber, but they replant trees, too: more than 60,000 to date, in fact! Plus, all their tables, desks, shelves and other furniture is made by Vermont-based artisans.
Based in: USA
What’s on offer: Dining tables, desks, beds, chests.
8. ABC Carpet & Home
For an element of whimsical charm, go shopping at ABC Home. Here, aesthetics celebrate individuality and creativity, whilst minimising their environmental footprint. The brand only sources from ethical supply chains and never uses toxic chemicals in their fabrics and carpeting. No wonder they’re such a popular choice for not only ethical homes, but businesses like hotels and restaurants, too!
Based in: USA
What’s on offer: Lighting, bedding, bath, dining, storage and more
9. The Citizenry
What makes a house look cosy and “lived in” is when it’s full of unique pieces full of character. And you’ll find plenty of those at The Citizenry, a brand that offers unique hard and soft furnishings made by fairly paid master artisans. These small furniture makers cleverly coalesce traditional techniques with modern approaches.
Here, you’ll find such beautiful, luxurious items as hand-woven alpaca throws from Peru, colourfully hand-loomed rugs from India, hand-sewn Ottomans from Morocco and much more.
Based in: USA
What’s on offer: Ottomans, poufs, headboards, tables, shelves, bath furniture.
10. Joybird
Sustainability favours quality over quantity. As with clothing, with furniture, we should consume less and invest more in a piece that lasts forever. This is exactly what Joybird does: “slow furniture”. Every item is moulded by craftsmen from natural raw materials, and is consequently built to last. You can also feel good about your purchase, knowing that the brand has planted over 300,000 trees in an effort to plant more trees than were used in the manufacturing of their goods.
Based in: USA
What’s on offer: Sofas, chairs, wall units, night stands, dressers, chests, outdoor tables
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