Many shoppers are more conscious about reducing their consumption of fast fashion brands and opting for eco-friendly ones. The same goes for fast furniture. Fast furniture is the mass production of cheap pieces that are not built to last. These pieces are known for being budget-friendly, but will need replacing more frequently than quality-made sustainable furniture.
Whether you rely on furniture for aesthetic appeal, comfort or functionality, choosing sustainable furniture pieces greatly can impact the environment and your health.
Sustainable furniture uses environmentally friendly materials like bamboo, recycled plastic and cork. These materials have a lower environmental impact than traditional materials, reduce carbon emissions and minimize waste. Many traditional furniture pieces contain toxic substances like flame retardants, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. When released into the air, these substances can cause air pollution and health risks, such as hormone disruption, neurological damage and cancer. Sustainable furniture pieces are typically free of these harsh chemicals.
The other benefit to investing in sustainable furniture is that the pieces last longer than traditional furniture pieces. This saves you money and time in the long run, reducing the need to replace pieces. A majority of the brands support their workers’ rights, enforce fair labor practices and provide safe working environments.
If you’re furniture shopping and looking for sustainable brands, here are five places you can buy sustainable furniture.
Etsy
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Etsy makes it easy to find what you need. Whether you’re looking for vintage and antique pieces or contemporary sustainable and upcycled furniture, Etsy has incredible choices to choose from that appeal to every design style.
Nkuku
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Based in the United Kingdom, this ethical brand ships to the United States. The brand works with artisans around the world to create handmade home and lifestyle pieces. Every piece has natural or recycled materials and is eco-friendly. You can find everything you need, from couches and dining chairs to mirrors, rugs and throw blankets.
Thrift Stores
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If you prefer shopping in person, thrift stores are a great option for finding secondhand, sustainable furniture. It’s also great for those looking to find unique pieces for their home while on a budget. Find local thrift stores or ones in nearby areas. The key to finding furniture at thrift stores is to be patient, visit multiple location and take your time looking through each piece.
VivaTerra
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Translating to “living earth,” VivaTerra operates in harmony with nature to create an inspired green living. This online seller has a passion for furniture pieces that are modern and eco-conscious. The retailer only stocks pieces with social consciousness, quality workmanship, artisan craftsmanship and global inspiration in mind. You can find home decor, furniture for every room and occasion, and pieces for your patio.
Sabai
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Sabai pieces have 90 percent locally sourced materials. The pieces are made in ethically run factories in North Carolina, South Carolina, Michigan and Tennessee. Here you can find luxury furniture without worrying about harsh chemicals or greenwashing. You can create your pieces by picking the fabric, color and style.
Sustainable Pieces We’re Loving
Eco Linen Slipcovered Sofa
Choosing a couch can be time intensive, but it’s an investment worthwhile. Couches are an essential part of homes. Whether bonding with your family and friends or spending time alone cuddled with your throw blanket, having a quality couch makes all the difference in the world. This classic eco-linen sofa is chic and sustainable. This piece is made from eco-friendly, sustainably sourced materials, perfect for contemporary, bohemian and minimalist design-styled homes. Add throw pillows to the mix to add more color and dimension to the couch. This piece is flame retardant free, made in the USA and comes with a free white glove delivery service.
Japandi Yin Coffee Table
This piece is what it looks like when the function of Scandinavian design and the simplicity of Japanese design collide. This low wooden yin-yang-shaped table is a minimalist’s dream. It’s unique, artfully-designed and simple. This piece is made with responsibly sourced baltic birch, recycled material, water-based adhesive and safe high-pressure laminate finishes. Add a fresh bouquet of flowers to this table to add a pop of color while maintaining its simplicity. You can customize this table with a different color or combination by messaging the makers. This coffee table is a sustainable green product. All pieces from this brand are designed and built in Austin and Dallas, Texas.
West Elm Mid-Century Bed
The brand wants to educate consumers about shopping sustainably and does so by its Responsible Retail Glossary. You won’t have to guess what certain words on their website mean because this glossary breaks down the vocabulary and symbols found on the site. This stunning mid-century bed is made with kiln-dried, sustainably sourced wood and was crafted in a Fair Trade Certified facility. It references furniture design from the ’50s and ‘60s and is timeless. With its design and quality, this bed is built to last.
Mid-Century Modern Nightstand
This handcrafted mid-century modern nightstand was made in Avocado’s Forest Stewardship Council’s certified workshop in Los Angeles. The nightstand is made from beautiful solid walnut or maple wood. This piece not only is sustainable, but also the design is dreamy. Simple yet sophisticated, this nightstand has angular legs and a soft-close drawer, and its mid-century design is timeless. This is the perfect nightstand to store your journal, book, phone, and other bedside essentials. You can trust this piece to last for years as it’s made out of 100 percent solid wood that is durable and designed to last for generations. You won’t find any fiberboard or particle board in this piece. Each piece is individually handcrafted, so there will be slight variations.
Index Wall Shelf
These shelves are awesome for building a wall filled with books or for storing glassware and knickknacks. The shelves come in a set of three, but are designed to add additional shelves as your home and budget grow. You can place the frames horizontally, vertically or by themselves. There are endless possibilities and combinations for Burrow’s cult-favorite shelves. Each unit includes the mounting hardware you will need to install on your wall as well as easy-to-follow directions. This shelving unit is made from sustainably forested wood and solid ash. You can trust these shelves to last and evolve with you through your life journey.
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