With more and more clients interested in environmentally-friendly design, it’s important to keep up-to-date on eco-friendly trends in the design industry. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorite eco-friendly choices when it comes to selecting furniture.
Use Reclaimed Wood
This is a trend that can add so much character to any room. Reclaimed wood pieces come from old buildings, driftwood, or even from trees that have been damaged by invasive insects. Carpenters transform these pieces into beautiful tables, bookshelves, chairs, accent furniture, or even entire bedroom sets. The best part? Each piece is 100% unique!
There are many companies out there that sell reclaimed wood furniture. A quick Google search will leave you with tons of options. You can also check out etsy shops for local vendors who create and sell their own masterpieces.
Go Organic
Many sofas and mattresses are made of synthetic products that are extremely harmful to the environment. With a little research, you can find furniture that is made of organic fabrics such as cotton, wool or organic latex.
If going 100% organic isn’t an option (it can be a little pricey, after all), you can at least stay away from the most environmentally damaging (and toxic!) materials, like PBDE’s, PFCs (Teflon), or formaldehyde, to name a few.
Finish it off yourself
The best way to avoid furniture that contains toxic chemicals is to purchase unfinished pieces to stain and/or paint on your own. If you purchase wood, glass, or metal furniture that is unfinished, you have a blank canvas to use your own environmentally-friendly paints or stains and truly make it a unique piece that reflects your (or your clients’) personality!
Keep it Local
When you purchase a piece from a box store, odds are it’s been on a boat, a plane, a truck… probably from some place far, far away. Why not purchase from a local artisan instead! Not only will you help the environment by reducing on transportation, you’ll also help support your local community!
More and more people are looking for eco-friendly alternatives today, and whether you’re a professional or simply a decorating guru, knowing the available options is always a plus! What methods do you use to make sure your choices are environmentally friendly? Let us know in a comment!