Sustainable Furniture Is Our Newest Obsession and These Are Our 5 Favorite Retailers
Shop these sustainable furniture picks from retailers and manufacturers who work with recycled, reclaimed, renewable, and responsibly sourced materials.
Published July 29 2024, 12:52 p.m. ET
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Ever wonder if you can furnish your entire home using sustainable furniture? The answer is you can and you should. I've been beyond impressed with the eco-friendly furniture I've been spotting lately. Affordable, high-end, modern, traditional — the style and budget options run the gamut, and the craftsmanship is often top-notch. Yet still everything is made using the four Rs: recycled, reclaimed, renewable, and responsibly sourced materials.
What makes sustainable furniture?
What makes a piece of furniture sustainable? Eco-friendly and responsibly sourced materials are one major factor to consider as you shop, and can point to a brand's commitment to other sustainable practices. Some green flags to look out for:
- Wood that's labeled Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified, which comes from responsibly managed forests
- Reclaimed wood, typically wood that's been salvaged from old buildings and barns, which minimize the need for new raw materials, reducing deforestation and environmental degradation
- Recycled wood, metal, and even plastics
- Organic or recycled fabrics, natural latex, or sustainable foams (like soy-based)
- Fabrics with labels like GREENGUARD for low chemical emissions
- Renewable materials like bamboo, rattan, and hemp, which doesn't require pesticides or fertilizers and can be harvested without killing the plant
The best way to get started on your eco-friendly furniture journey is to pinpoint a few retailers that make and sell the kinds of furnishings that you can feel good about buying. I've found five brands that fit the bill; some are dedicated to sustainable furniture-making, while others are retailers that carry eco-friendly options. All of them adhere to various levels of sustainable business operations too.
Here's a breakdown, plus a slew of the hottest pieces of sustainable furniture from each retailer — stunning pieces for your living room, dining room, bedroom, backyard, and beyond.
The Citizenry
The Citizenry is serious about style and even more serious about sustainability through the use of natural, renewable materials and eco-friendly textiles. They work closely with artisans worldwide and per its website, have "100% of products made with a Fair Trade process audited and guaranteed by the World Fair Trade Organization."
Their fair trade practices support local economies, and handcrafted production reduces their carbon footprint. The Citizenry sources materials responsibly from countries like Mexico, Peru, and India, focusing on ethical and sustainable methods to create high-quality, long-lasting furniture. The prices skew on the higher side, but for this kind of quality, it's worth it.
Hinoki Wood Side Table
Fun fact: I love to pamper myself, so the bathroom is my favorite room in the house. As you can imagine, I love a bathroom furniture moment, and The Citizenry's small but spa-like selection is divine. Case in point: the Japanese-inspired Hinoki Wood Side Table, handcrafted from sustainably-sourced hinoki wood, known for its natural antibacterial properties and durability. Choose from round or half-moon shapes.
More eco-friendly furniture from The Citizenry
Laurel Arm Chair, $1,529 (was $1,799)
Sanjay Ottoman, $399+
Nayani Wood Coffee Table, $999
Lombok Rattan Lounge Chair, $399 (was $499)
Meru Counter Stool, $649
Made Trade
Made Trade carries a curated selection of sustainable furniture that is made with an emphasis on fair trade practices, eco-friendly materials, and responsible craftsmanship. They support artisans and small businesses worldwide as well as sustainable practices in their supply chain. Best of all, their inventory has high-end appeal at mid-range prices, and many pieces are made by artisans in foreign countries who incorporate designs inspired by their region.
Izapa Armchair - Colonial Pattern
The Izapa Arm Chair is handcrafted from sustainably sourced teak and handwoven manila cord, which is made from the fibers of the abaca plant, a species of banana native to the Philippines. The 'colonial' pattern is inspired by Spanish Colonial tile work found in Nicaragua, where it's made. This ethically produced, meticulously crafted seat is conversation piece-worthy.
More eco-friendly furniture from Made Trade
Recycled Outdoor Cubby Bench, $995
Sunia Boho Round Bookshelf, $390
Broom Recycled Stacking Chair, $355
Maderas Credenza, $2,484
Medley Home
If you're looking for high-quality furniture and have a bigger budget, Medley Home is where you'll find meticulously made furniture using eco-friendly materials such as FSC-certified wood, organic latex, and cotton. Everything this brand sells is U.S.-made, too, so they eliminate the carbon emissions involved with long-distance shipping. Medley Home is focused on building pieces that will last a long time, reducing waste — and costing consumers less in the long run. Here are a few heirloom-worthy pieces I love.
Rio Sofa Bed
The modern, clean-lined yet cozy Rio Sofa Bed is designed for eco-friendly comfort. It's made of natural latex cushions, FSC-certified hardwood, and non-toxic, sustainable materials. It's compact size makes it ideal for small spaces like the guest room or home office. Choose from a range of eco-friendly fabrics, and know you're sticking to your environmentally responsible roots.
More eco-friendly furniture from Medley Home
Pax Bench, $615
Idan Storage Ottoman, $859
Max Media Center, $2,995
Palder Bed, $3.295+
Voya Round Dining Table, $2,395
Avocado
Avocado specializes in mattresses and furniture for the bedroom (as well as bedding), but they also sell living room and office furniture — and everything is USDA certified organic and non-toxic. The company has the receipts to prove it, too: they hold a myriad of certifications, like Global Organic Latex Standard, Global Organic Textile Standard, OEKO-TEX, Greenguard Gold, Forest Stewardship Council, and Climate Neutral. They're also working toward zero waste. Furnish your room, your kids' rooms, nurseries — even the dog can fetch an eco-friendly bed from Avocado.
Eco Bed Frame with Adjustable Legs
The Avocado Eco Bed Frame with Adjustable Legs is handmade in the USA from 100% sustainably harvested FSC-certified wood in a non-toxic finish and adjustable legs so you can customize the height. It's designed to be both functional and sustainable, aligning with Avocado's commitment to environmentally responsible furniture. It's also Avocado's most affordable bed frame.
More eco-friendly furniture from Avocado
Avocado Green Mattress, $1,299+ (was $1,399+)
Mid-Century Modern Dresser, $3,999
Mid-Century Modern Desk, $2,999
Malibu Wood Nightstand, $1,199
Zero Waste Round End Table, $1,499 (was $1,999)
Yardbird
Get your backyard decked out in sustainable furniture too. Yardbird has an entire inventory of stunning eco-friendly outdoor furnishings, and its wicker furniture uses recycled materials, such as ocean-bound plastic, for its frames.This helps reduce waste and pollution while retaining 100 percent of the style we love in our outdoor living spaces.
Here's a look at some of their coolest pieces for porches, patios, backyards, and more.
Harriet Chat Set with Fixed Chairs
The Yardbird Harriet Chat Set with Fixed Chairs is a sustainable outdoor conversation set made from recycled ocean plastic and high-quality, weather-resistant materials. It includes comfortable, fixed chairs and a stylish, durable chat table. The set combines eco-friendly practices with modern aesthetics.
More eco-friendly furniture from Yardbird
Luna Outdoor Sofa Set, $3,010
Ludlow Chaise Lounge, $1,130
Eden Outdoor Swivel Rocking Chair, $970
Addie Adirondack Chair, $420