For as long as you can remember, you have been devoted to reducing your carbon footprint. You recycle, buy locally sourced food at the store whenever possible and strive to use as little electricity at home as possible. Now that you’re in the market for some new pieces of furniture, you want to extend your eco-conscious focus to your sofas, beds and other items.
Here’s some great news: It’s possible to find furniture that’s Earth-friendly, uses natural materials and/or is constructed in a sustainable way. Consider the following ideas:
Find Furniture Made from Recycled Materials
Buying new furniture made from recycled materials requires less processing and fewer resources than if you buy a couch made from all new fabrics, wood and more. Look for products that are certified “Cradle to Cradle” (C2C) and, if necessary, ask the salesperson for more information about what recycled materials were used to manufacture the piece.
You Can’t Go Wrong with Wood
If you love the look of wood furniture, then you’re well on your way to selecting eco-friendly materials for your furnishings. Basically, you have two options here: You can select furniture made from reclaimed wood or sustainably sourced new wood. In the case of reclaimed wood, the manufacturer is essentially recycling wood from either old furniture or other pieces to create new tables, couches and more.
In addition to being a super green option, reclaimed wood tends to look cool. New wood from a sustainable source is also a solid option for furniture, as the manufacturer can usually confirm where it originated and how many trees were planted to replace the ones that were cut down to make the furniture.
To keep your options open and save valuable time when shopping, try to find a furniture store that offers both options. For example, Jerome’s Furniture carries bedroom sets made from both solid and reclaimed wood.
Hardy Hemp and Carbon Footprint-Friendly Cotton
In addition to the eco-friendly “bones” of your furniture, you also want to find upholstery and coverings that are made from a renewable source.
If you choose furniture that’s upholstered with either hemp or organic cotton from a renewable source, you’ll be well on your way to meeting your goal of having only eco-friendly materials in your home.
Hemp, a super hardy and durable material, is grown without toxic chemicals and regrows quite easily. Organic cotton is also grown in a responsible and sustainable manner’ it’s also super comfortable and looks great as upholstery for chairs, sofas and other types of furniture.
Beautiful Bamboo
If you’ve ever planted bamboo in your yard, you already know how quickly this plant grows back after being trimmed. Bamboo is now used in several different types of furniture and is beautiful and ultra-durable.
If you choose a kitchen table made from bamboo, you’ll not only have a great-looking new piece but can also rest assured knowing the bamboo didn’t need pesticides to help it grow and that it will last for years before needing to be replaced.
Enjoy Your Eco-Friendly Home
With more furniture companies embracing the eco-friendly lifestyle, it’s now easier than ever to find gorgeous new furniture that was constructed in responsible manner with renewable materials.
By sticking with reclaimed and/or sustainably sourced wood, bamboo, hemp and cotton as much as possible, you’ll be able to fulfill your goal of reducing your carbon footprint while still having a beautiful home.