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Thoughtfully selecting furniture that’s both safe for us and the planet — like non-toxic sofas — is a key component of a journey towards a holistically healthy home.

But the fact is that there is a lot to look for when it comes to the hunt for a non-toxic and/or eco-friendly sofa.

Here are a few of the things to watch out for when looking for a sustainable sofa.

What Makes a Sustainable and Non-Toxic Sofa?

Unsurprisingly, the same toxic chemicals that are unhealthy for us are just as terrible for the environment. After all we are part of — and interconnected with — the rest of the planet and natural world. Here’s what to look out for when shopping for a non-toxic sofa or sustainable couch:

Non-toxic sofas will be free of flame retardant treatments.

Flame retardants can be found in many household building materials and items, including couches. These toxic chemicals — once required by law — were and continue to be used to treat polyurethane foam in sofas and other furniture, though now many companies are shifting away from using flame retardants. Toxic-Free Future has more information on toxic flame retardants.

Sustainable sofas will be made with responsibly-sourced and safely treated wood.

While wood is technically renewable material, it’s important to ensure that the wood was harvested from responsibly-managed forests and is not contributing to deforestation. While not perfect, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is the most widely recognized certification for sustainable forestry management.

What about plywood? Pressed wood, like plywood, is typically made with formaldehyde, a chemical that has been linked to cancer risk in studies and listed as a known or probable carcinogen by multiple health groups.

Solid wood furniture is not always financially accessible, though (or realistic if you’re on the move often) so look for formaldehyde-free plywoods if you have to go that route.

Finally, look for low- or zero-VOC (VOC stands for volatile organic compounds) finishes on the wood.

Eco-friendly coaches have upholstery made with organic, recycled, and natural fabrics.

Many sofas are made with harsh chemical-laden fabrics such as chrome-tanned leather and polyester. Even “natural” cotton is not necessarily toxic-free, as cotton is one of the most pesticide-ridden crops grown today.

Look for linen, organic cotton, or hemp fabric where possible. Bonus points if a fabric has the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification! If you want a leather couch, look for vegetable-tanned leather, as the chrome (short for chromium) tanning process uses extremely toxic chemicals.

These fabrics are not widely available for sofas though, so you might also consider sofas made with recycled synthetic materials. Not ideal, but we can only purchase from what is available and what is within our budget and do the best we can.

Non-toxic coaches will be made with natural and/or non-toxic foam.

Most foams are petroleum-based (polyfoam). Look for natural fillers such as organic cotton, responsibly-sourced wool, and GOLS-certified organic latex where possible. If not feasible, look for the CertiPUR-US® seal which ensures the foam is free of a host of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, toxic flame retardants, heavy metals, among many others.

What About Secondhand Sofas?

Investing in sustainably-made furniture can be quite expensive, but shopping used is a great way to find eco-friendly sofas and other furnishings for far less.

While many of the sofas on the secondhand market probably won’t be made with non-toxic materials, since the most off-gassing happens when furniture is new, your exposure to VOCs will be less than it would have been if you bought that same piece of furniture new.

What are some places to find sustainable sofas secondhand?

Checking out your local furniture resale shops, consignment stores, and any nearby Estate Sales is a great place to start. Prefer shopping online? Check out Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or OfferUp for local pick-up options.

And if you’re in the US you’ve likely seen people leave their unwanted furniture out on their curb. Picking up this furniture is called “stooping” and yup, it’s totally free. Of course you’ll want to do a thorough inspection of the sofa and you may have to be prepared to do some reupholstering since you never know exactly why someone left the sofa out and the condition might be less than desirable. But it’s free! So you may be willing to invest in some repair costs.

For more curated secondhand and vintage sofa options, check out:

Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Sofa Brands

If you’re in the market to purchase a new eco-friendly sofa, check out these non toxic sofa companies! Each brand uses a different set of materials and has slightly different standards, priorities, and values. This guide is a starting point, but do your own research to find which brand would be best for you.

This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

Best Eco-Friendly Sofa: Savvy Rest

Savvy Rest’s sustainable organic sofa is made with some of the best materials available for non-toxic couches. The brand uses Cradle-to-Cradle certified Natural Talalay latex foam and GOTS-certified organic hemp or organic cotton upholstery. Their sustainable couch is also made with organic wool batting, jute webbing, natural coir, and zero-VOC finishes.

Price Range: $3,799 – $4,099

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!

Shipping: Free White Glove delivery in continental U.S. Contact for quotes outside 48 contiguous states.

Yellow non-toxic organic sofa from Savvy Rest

Best Luxury: Maiden Home

Maiden Home is a woman-founded brand crafting all of their furniture made-to-order in North Carolina to minimize waste and maximize quality.

They source their solid hardwood responsibly in line with the standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, their cushion cores (which are certified by CertiPUR-US®) are made from renewable soy-based foam, and the springs are made from recycled steel.

All of Maiden Home’s furniture is free of flame retardants, formaldehyde, or other harmful chemicals. And the brand uses water-based, low-VOC glues and stains whenever possible.

Price Range: $2,025 – $3,850

Ordering & Shipping: Made-to-order; Complimentary shipping and white glove delivery within 48 contiguous US states + some locations in Canada.

Natural colored sustainable sofas from Maiden Home

Best Affordable: Sabai

Beyond using sustainable and non-toxic materials like FSC-certified wood, CertiPUR-US® certified foam, and recycled fiber filling, this B-Corp certified furniture brand has programs to extend the life of their eco-friendly couches.

The first is their Repair Don’t Replace program where they sell various parts you can switch out and their Revive Program where you can send back your Sabai pieces in exchange for a percentage of the resale price when the piece is sold.

Price Range: $1,095 – $1,395

Shipping: Ships within the U.S.; shipping is carbon offset and packaging is 100% recycled.

Navy blue sustainable couch from Sabai

Best Classic Styles: Medley

Free of harmful chemicals like fire retardants, and formaldehyde, Medley makes non-toxic sofas you can kick back in with peace of mind.

What materials does Medley use? For their non-toxic sofa cushions, you can choose from either CertiPUR-US® certified foam or organic natural latex. Their upholstery options are made up of Oeko-Tex certified fabrics and they use FSC-certified wood. Medley also uses water-based, VOC-free glue. This sustainable sofa brand has truly covered every detail.

Price Range: $1,545 – $3,105

Shipping: Ships out of the U.S. Contact Medley for a quote for shipping to other countries.

Beige sustainable sofa and blue eco-friendly sofa from Medley

Best for Futons: Natural Home

Natural Home by Futon Shop has an impressive set of organic sofas non-toxic sectionals made from natural safe materials with the option to upgrade to organic materials like GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic wool.

Their sustainable couches and non-toxic sofa beds, all made in San Francisco, have frames made from responsibly-sourced kiln-dried wood and are available in fabrics like hemp and organic cotton.

Price Range: $1,500 – $5,395

Shipping: Ships within the continental U.S.

Natural organic sofa from The Futon Shop

Best for Sectionals: Burrow

Burrow’s modular eco-friendly sofas are designed to be assembled and reconfigured with ease — meaning their pieces can stay with you for a lifetime, even through moves and family additions.

And their thoughtful design goes beyond convenience, Burrow’s comfy couches are made with CertiPUR-US® certified cushions and sustainably-sourced wood.

Price Range: $795 – $3,995

Shipping: Free shipping; ships within the continental U.S.

Gray modular non-toxic sofa from Burrow

Best for Reassembly: Floyd

Floyd prides themselves on their minimally-designed furniture being as easy as possible to disassemble and reassemble to ensure your furniture lasts, even if you’re moving homes often.

Making use of fast fashion’s overflowing waste, Floyd partnered with Recover to launch a sofa made with upcycled textiles from the fashion industry.

Floyd also has a resale and refurbishment program, as part of the company’s waste and carbon emissions reduction goals.

Price Range: $2075+ for sofa | $2060+ for sectional

Shipping: Ships within contiguous U.S.; shipping fees vary

Woman sitting on blue sustainable couch from Floyd

Best for Linen Sofas: Lee Industries

Green lifestyle retailer VivaTerra is a mecca for all things sustainable home — including eco-friendly sofas and sectionals sourced from manufacturer LEE Industries. As a founding Gold member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, LEE meets high standards for health and the environment. Their non-toxic sofas are all made in the U.S. from many mindful materials including linen, soy-based fillings, and recycled polyester.

Price Range: $4,295 – $6,895

Shipping: Ships within the U.S.

Eco-friendly couches and sofas from VivaTerra

Luxury Organic Sofas: EcoBalanza

Dedicated to creating “the ultimate organic sofa”, EcoBalanza really has considered every single component. The Seattle-based boutique uses FSC-certified hardwood, GOLS-certified organic latex, certified non-toxic fabrics, natural kapuk fiber cushions, and organic cotton or responsibly-sourced wool batting. Read more about the materials they use for their non-toxic sofas here.

Price Range: $3,000 – $4,300; Couture Collection starts at $6,800

Ordering & Shipping: Couches are made-to-order. Learn more here.

Blue organic sofa and gray organic sofa from EcoBalanza

Luxury Non-Toxic Sofas: PURE Upholstery

Made using non-toxic organic and natural ingredients, PURE Upholstery’s sustainable couches are free from toxic materials and ingredients, like chemical flame retardants.

The eco-friendly couches are made with certified organic or non-toxic natural fabrics, GOLS-Certified Organic Latex, FSC-certified solid wood, recycled steel springs, certified organic wool, and a natural wood finish. (More on their materials here!)

Price Range: $1,675 – $5,595

Shipping: Ships within the U.S.; more details + lead time here

non-toxic sectional and eco-friendly couch from PURE Upholstery

For Sustainable Outdoor Sofas: Loll Designs

If you’re looking for an outdoor sustainable sofa, then Loll Designs is the brand to know.

Loll’s furniture is made in Duluth, Minnesota using recycled HDPE (which stands for high-density polyethylene), mostly from recycled milk jugs, as well as USA-made aluminum inserts. The cushions are made using Sunbrella acrylic (which is virgin plastic) though you could instead opt for their cushion-free sofa.

Outdoor sofas are going to be the toughest to find natural or non-toxic (unless you want to go cushion-free). But durability is a key feature to keep in mind.

Price Range: $1,395 – $2,995

Shipping: Ships to U.S. and internationally through their shipping partner Stackry

blue and white sustainable outdoor sofa made from recycled materials

You May Also Want to Check Out:

Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space

Furnish Your Home Sustainably with these Eco Furniture Brands

The Most Gorgeous Fair Trade Artisanal Rugs

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21 Best Sustainable Furniture Companies For Your Eco-Friendly Home (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-furniture/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-furniture https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-furniture/#respond Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:29:43 +0000 https://consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=4451 These eco-friendly & ethical furniture brands have sustainably-made furnishings crafted with reclaimed materials, responsibly-sourced woods, and more.

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The ethical and sustainable furniture companies featured below everything from sustainable office chairs and desks to bed frames and storage furniture (with a whole lot in between)!

These ethical and environmentally friendly furniture companies have just what you need to furnish your space consciously, whether you need sustainable bedroom furniture, living room furniture, dining room furniture, or outdoor furniture.

This is your ultimate guide to finding the very best in sustainable furniture in 2024.

The Best Sustainable Furniture Companies

There’s a lot to sort through when it comes to sustainable furniture, so our goal is to make that search easier.

Below are our favorite sustainable furniture stores, environmentally friendly furniture companies, and secondhand furniture marketplaces that are doing things better.

That might mean they are sourcing eco-friendly materials, using non-toxic finishes and fabrics, producing locally and ethically, considering the full lifecycle of their products, or all of the above!

For more on what we consider “sustainable furniture” scroll down to the bottom below the brands!

The following roundup includes partners and affiliates. As always, all brands meet rigorous sustainability criteria and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too.

1. Savvy Rest

Savvy Rest creates functional, sustainable furniture with your health and the planet’s health in mind. The eco-friendly furniture brand sources only the best natural and organic materials for their non-toxic furnishings, like hemp and certified organic cotton fabric, natural Talalay latex, and responsibly sourced solid hardwood. You can also choose between a variety of zero-VOC stains or no finish for their wood furniture.

Furniture Categories: Sofas, Loveseats & Armchairs, Tables & Benches

(Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!)

red sustainable chair from eco friendly furniture company Savvy Rest

2. Maiden Home

This woman-founded, direct-to-consumer brand handcrafts gorgeous sustainable furniture that’s designed to last for a lifetime. Maiden Home’s timeless pieces are made-to-order in North Carolina with exceptional care.

The eco friendly and ethical furniture brand uses solid hardwood that’s sourced in line with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards, CertiPUR-US® soy-based foam, and recycled steel springs. Additionally, Maiden Home does not use harmful chemicals such as flame retardants and works to source water-based, low VOC glues and stains.

Furniture Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Beds, Tables, Benches & Ottomans, Dining Tables, Dining Chairs & Stools

sustainable table and chair from eco furniture company Maiden Home

3. Made Trade

Made Trade is an online destination of ethically and sustainably made goods from brands around the globe. The site has a collection of eco-conscious and ethical furniture from reputable brands such as Masaya & Co and Emeco.

Brands featured on Made Trade source their materials responsibly and compensate their workers fairly. You can also sort by values like Women-Owned, BIPOC-Owned, and Vegan.

Furniture Categories: Dining & Side Tables, Chairs & Stools, Bookshelves, Desks, Benches & Ottomans

Ethical furniture and sustainable bookshelf from Made Trade

4. Medley

Medley Home is an eco-friendly furniture company that handcrafts their pieces in California with mindful materials. The company uses domestically-sourced hardwoods (no plywood here!) from FSC-certified forests and solid bamboo, which is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Medley Home’s wood pieces are finished naturally with a blend of beeswax, carnauba wax, and olive oil.

For foam, Medley sources only CertiPUR-US® certified foam or certified organic natural latex, and for textiles, the company uses GOTS-certified organic linings and other natural fabrics such as hemp and wool.

Furniture Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Dining & Side Tables, Dining Chairs, Beds, Storage, Benches & Ottomans

Blue sofa and light wood coffee table from sustainable furniture company Medley

5. Avocado

Getting their start as a non-toxic mattress brand, Avocado now crafts eco-friendly furniture too.

The Certified B-Corporation crafts both their furniture in a FSC-certified facility in Los Angeles and uses materials like 100% reclaimed wood and responsibly-harvested American timber. Additionally, the majority of Avocado’s offerings have non-toxic certifications like Greenguard Gold and the MADE SAFE® seal.

The brand has some gorgeous sustainable mid-century modern furniture pieces!

Furniture Categories: Beds, Nightstands & End Tables, Dressers, Benches & Ottomans

sustainable wooden nightstand from Avocado

6. Thuma

Thuma makes environmentally friendly, modern and minimalistic platform beds. The brand’s platform bed frames are crafted with upcycled, repurposed rubberwood, and for every order made, Thuma plants a tree.

The Bed is thoughtfully designed for functionality and quality too—the conscious company even backs their pieces with a lifetime warranty. With Thuma’s direct-to-consumer model, their eco-friendly beds are also pretty affordable.

Furniture Categories: Beds Frames, Dressers, Nightstands & Side Tables

Eco-friendly beds from Thuma

7. What WE Make

Based in Chicago, What WE Make is an environmentally friendly furniture company that crafts non-toxic modern furniture from reclaimed materials.

They salvage wood from Midwestern barns and make the furniture start to finish themselves in Chicago to ensure the highest quality. Each piece is completed with zero-VOC finishes.

Furniture Categories: Bathroom Vanities, Tables, Storage & Dressers, Dining Tables, Coffee Tables & Console Tables

Light wood sustainable dresser from environmentally friendly furniture company What We Make

8. Sabai

Sustainable by design, Sabai is an affordable sustainable furniture brand with modern, responsibly-made seating. They offer two repurposed fabric options — either recycled velvet or upcycled polypropylene — and the frames are made from FSC-certified wood. Sabai also uses mechanical fasteners in it’s upholstery process instead of glue, low-VOC stains for their domestic maple legs, recycled fiber fills, and certiPUR-US certified foam.

Plus, Sabai works with an ethical, fair wage manufacturer located domestically in North Carolina, which helps to minimize their shipping footprint.

Furniture Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Ottomans

9. Natural Home by The Futon Shop

As you might guess, The Futon Shop makes sustainable futons, but they also have other furniture like bed frames and sofas.

The woman-founded furniture and mattress company uses eco-friendly and non-toxic materials such as certified organic cotton cotton and wool, organic Dunlop latex, OEKO-Tex 100 certified coconut coir and hemp, and solid American hardwood.

Furniture Categories: Futons, Beds, Sofas & Sectionals

10. Greenington

Greenington is a bamboo furniture company with stunning, sustainably-crafted pieces for every room in your home: from the office to the bedroom.

Each piece is made from responsibly hand-harvested (never clear cut) Moso bamboo, which is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. Greenington also sources only mature bamboo to ensure maximum strength and durability.

Furniture Categories: Beds, Nightstands & Dressers, Desks, Bookcases & Shelving, Dining Tables, Chairs & Stools, Coffee & Side Tables, Cabinets & Credenzas

11. The Citizenry

Artisan home and lifeestyle retailer The Citizenry has a gorgeous selection of ethical furniture. Each piece is made from thoughtful quality materials like veg-tanned leather, solid wood, and linen.

Next to each product, you’ll learn more about the ethically-run artisan workshop that is crafting your fair trade furniture.

Furniture Categories: Ottomans & Benches, Chairs & Stools, Tables & Nightstands

sustainable beige chair and ottoman from fair trade furniture retailer The Citizenry

12. Burrow

Handcrafted from durable materials like responsibly-sourced hardwood, Burrow’s eco-friendly furniture is designed to be your next heirloom. Burrow’s modular sofas are the true standouts: they’re designed to be assembled and configured in a variety of ways so you can customize them to your needs even through moves and family changes.

[Check out this guide for more eco-friendly sofas.]

Furniture Categories: seating, storage, tables, benches

Eco-friendly sofa from Burrow

13. Parachute

Inspired by nature, much of Parachute’s eco-friendly furniture is designed with organic shapes, like the coffee table pictured here.

From made-to-order beds crafted from solid hardwood and linen fabric to solid hardwood benches, this Carbon Neutral Certified business has stunning furniture for a variety of spaces in your home.

Furniture Categories: Beds, Sofas, Nightstands, Coffee & Side Tables, Chairs & Benches, Lighting

sustainable wooden coffee table from eco friendly furniture company Parachute

14. Saatva

Originally known for their sustainable mattresses, this company has now expanded into eco-friendly bedroom furniture.

The company has a 180-day trial and a lifetime warranty, showing that they are committed to quality and service.

Materials vary by product but some of the responsible materials Saatva uses include responsibly-sourced hardwood, linen upholstery, and foams that meet CertiPUR-US® standards. Several product pages also note that the product is adherent to the Toxic Substances Control Act and contains no VOCs.

Furniture Categories: Bed Frames, Chairs, Ottomans, Rugs

sustainable bedroom furniture made with linen from Saatva

15. Healthier Homes

Founded by expert healthy home builders, Jen and Rusty Stout, Healthier Homes is committed to helping you curate a healthier indoor space.

The online marketplace sells natural furniture, organic decor and non-toxic paint & finishes. You’ll find furniture, from seating to accent tables, made from materials like teak, acacia, mango wood, and jute. And if you’re working on some DIY projects, be sure to check out their selection of zero VOC paints.

Furniture Categories: Chairs & Stools, Side Tables & Coffee Tables, Benches, Shelving

natural sustainable chair from eco-friendly furniture company Healthier Homes

16. Vermont Wood Studios

Vermont Wood Studios is a sustainable wooden furniture company committed to producing responsibly-harvested furnishings, while also spreading awareness about the unsustainable and illegal logging taking place in the furniture industry. To date, the company has planted over 55,000 trees to restore the Amazon and other forests.

The company also pays their Vermont craftspeople fair wages and ensures good working conditions.

Furniture Categories: Dressers, Beds, Dining & Side Tables, Nightstands, Benches, Cabinets, Chairs, Desks, Bookcases & Chests, TV Stands

Sustainable furniture from Vermont Wood Studios

17. West Elm – Sustainably Sourced Collection

Furniture company West Elm has added sustainable collections to their offerings. The company defines “sustainably sourced” as furniture made either from reclaimed wood or FSC-certified wood from responsibly harvested sources.

Furniture Categories: bed frames, cribs, nightstands, dressers, nightstands, dining tables, chairs, benches, coffee tables, outdoor tables, bookcases, desks, sofas, and sectionals

Eco-friendly sofa from West Elm - Sustainably sourced collection

18. Crate & Barrel – FSC Certified

Crate & Barrel is another major furniture company that has added an eco-friendly furniture collection to their offerings. The company has an expansive line of FSC-certified wood furniture for your dining room, living room, bedroom, kitchen, or even your outdoor patio. (More outdoor furniture brands here.)

Furniture Categories: dining tables, benches, accent chairs, ottomans, sofas, dressers, nightstands, and outdoor furniture

Eco dressers from Crate & Barrel

Secondhand Furniture Marketplaces

Want to try your hand at finding furniture in the secondhand market? Learn more about shopping for preowned furniture from interior designer Nina Verduin.

19. AptDeco

AptDeco is a mecca for buying and re-selling furniture in nearly every category from various brands—including West Elm, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. There’s also often quite a few beautiful vintage furniture available on the site.

Furniture Categories: bed frames, headboards, chairs, dressers, cabinets, nightstands, side tables, coffee tables, desks, sofas, mirrors, benches, storage, and more

Eco-friendly furniture from AptDeco

20. Kaiyo

Kaiyo is a furniture resale site, but with a significant perk. They do all of the heavy lifting for you — literally. The company picks up the used furniture from the seller and delivers it right to you. Kaiyo also inspects and cleans the furniture on their marketplace.

Furniture Categories: bed frames, dining tables, coffee tables & end tables, office desks, sofas & chairs, benches & ottomans, storage, and more

Eco-friendly chair from Kaiyo

21. Chairish

Chairish is an online destination to sell and buy used furniture, mostly vintage furniture. The secondhand furniture site has a massive collection of furniture in every category, no matter how specific, that you may be looking for. However, it is more expensive than other secondhand marketplaces since they have more of a focus on vintage furniture.

Furniture Categories: sofas, love seats, chairs, stools, dining tables, side tables, storage, bed frames, cabinets, shelving, dressers, nightstands, wardrobes, and more

sustainable sofa from secondhand furniture site Chairish

What is Sustainable Furniture Anyway?

Just as with anything with the word ‘sustainable’ in front of it: there’s a lot to consider when it comes to sustainable furniture! Below is a list of elements to get started with.

Secondhand Furniture

The most sustainable furniture is the furniture that already exists! Shopping for used furniture prevents that piece from being landfilled and reduces the need to produce new furniture. Looking secondhand is also a way to get affordable sustainable furniture.

The most common places to get used furniture are:

This guide features several other secondhand furniture marketplaces with more curated selections as well.

Eco-Friendly Furniture Materials

Below is a list of eco-friendly furniture materials that a sustainable furniture company might use:

  • Reclaimed or sustainably harvested wood (look for labels like FSC-Certified)
  • Recycled steel or recycled aluminum for metal furniture
  • Natural fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and linen or recycled fabrics for upholstery
  • Natural Dunlop latex, Talalay latex, or CertiPUR-US® certified foam
  • Recycled or natural fiber fills for pillows and cushions
  • Non-toxic, low to zero-VOC finishes and stains, such as linseed oil
[Learn more about non-toxic furniture materials.]

Responsible and Locally-Made Furniture

An ethical furniture company should be considering their workers, ensuring safe conditions and fair wages.

Ideally, the brand would produce their furniture domestically to minimize emissions and increase transparency of their supply chain. Some of the furniture brands in this guide even own their own manufacturing facility, which is a major bonus!

Since I am based in the US, a lot of the brands in this guide are USA Made furniture companies.

Check the furniture company’s About or Sustainability pages to see if they include any information about the factories they source from or the craftspeople and furniture artisans that they partner with to produce their pieces.

Other Sustainability Efforts

In addition to environmentally-friendly materials and fair production standards, sustainable furniture brands likely have several other sustainability initaitives.

These might include:

  • A take-back, resale program, or secondhand marketplace
  • A repair program or ability to buy replacement components
  • Reforestation projects that replenish forests beyond the trees sourced for their furniture
  • Donation initiatives to environmental or social justice organizations

Looking For More Eco-Friendly Furniture Guides?

Sustainable Storage: Dressers, Media Consoles, and Sideboards

9 Eco-Friendly Bookcases to Showcase Your Latest Reads

What is Non-Toxic Furniture? Plus 12 Brands to Know

The Best Sustainable Tables To Gather Around

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15 Best Non-Toxic Furniture Brands for a Healthy Home (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/non-toxic-furniture/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=non-toxic-furniture https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/non-toxic-furniture/#respond Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:29:36 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=20251 What is non-toxic furniture? This guide breaks down the elements of safe, healthy furniture and features 12 non-toxic furniture brands.

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As you furnish a new space, or just invest in a new piece or two, you may be looking for non-toxic furniture brands to ensure clean indoor air and a safe environment for yourself and/or your loved ones.

Building materials and furnishings are one of the major causes of indoor air pollution, according to the EPA. So non-toxic furniture is a key aspect of creating a healthy home.

What is Non-Toxic Furniture?

If you’re here, searching for non toxic furniture, you’re probably somewhat familiar with the fact that most furniture contains either proven or potentially harmful chemicals and you’re looking for a better way. But what exactly is a better way? 

Well, there’s actually quite a bit to consider, so here’s a quick list. (Scroll to the bottom for much more in-depth explanation on all of these elements!)

  • No Flame Retardants 
  • No Formaldehyde (Many, though not all, composite woods that use adhesives contain formaldehyde. Some terms to look out for are plywood, particle board, engineered wood, or MDF.)
  • Free of Toxic Water Repellents or Stain Guards (These commonly contain Perfluorochemicals, otherwise known as PFCs)
  • No PVC / Vinyl (Common in fake leather or “vegan leather” fabrics)
  • Zero VOC finishes (Or low-VOC as a secondary option)
  • Uses Natural & Organic Materials (such as Dunlop latex instead of polyurethane foam, organic cotton, hemp, and linen instead of synthetic fabrics, and responsibly-sourced solid wood)
  • Non-Toxic Certifications (such as GREENGUARD Gold, which can help you find certified non-toxic furniture for your home)

Is All Eco-Friendly Furniture Non-Toxic?

A lot of eco-friendly furniture is also non-toxic, but that isn’t always the case. 

Some furniture brands advertise their products as eco-friendly because they use engineered wood or particleboard made from repurposed sawmill or other wood waste. But, in many cases (though not all), the adhesives used in engineered wood can be toxic, off-gassing formaldehyde.

It’s also worth noting that engineered wood containing formaldehyde is actually not so eco-friendly, even if it’s making use of waste, as it’s polluting the environment and harming human health.

Is Secondhand Furniture Non-Toxic?

Secondhand shopping is a great avenue for finding sustainable furniture affordably, and I’m a HUGE fan of purchasing pre-loved. 

While used furniture isn’t necessarily non-toxic (unless you find used furniture from a brand using natural and organic materials) products do off-gas over time, and so depending on how old the furniture is, you are likely going to be exposed to fewer toxic chemicals than if buying that same piece of furniture new.

Just be sure to find furniture that has come from a smoke-free home. (And potentially pet-free, if you have allergies/sensitivities). You may also want to clean the furniture with non-toxic cleaning products, especially if buying preloved furniture with upholstery!

[Related: Tips for shopping secondhand furniture & home goods]

Similarly, not all non-toxic furniture is eco-friendly. For instance, a brand might use natural materials that are irresponsibly sourced, such as harvesting wood from ancient or old growth forests. This guide, though, features brands that sell non-toxic and eco-friendly furniture.

Non-Toxic Furniture Companies To Know 

These brands are leading the way when it comes to safe, organic, and non-toxic bedroom furniture, living room furniture, dining room furniture, and office furniture. There are even some brands who have certified non-toxic furniture, as an extra level of verification.

The price ranges of these brands vary, so you’ll find something that matches your needs — you’ll find everything from heirloom-quality premium furniture to affordable non-toxic furniture. Browse through this guide for some highlights and visit each brand’s website for further details. 

This guide contains affiliate links and partners. As always, all brands meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we love, that we think you’ll love too!

1. Savvy Rest

Categories: Platform Beds, Sofas & Chairs, Tables & Benches

Shipping: Ships within continental U.S.; Contact for shipping quotes for elsewhere

A leader in organic and natural furniture, Savvy Rest is a certified B-Corp with living room and bedroom furniture made from sustainably-sourced, safe-for-you materials. 

Savvy Rest uses responsibly- regionally-sourced solid wood and zero-VOC stains (or leaves pieces unfinished). Their upholstered furniture is crafted from certified organic cotton and hemp fabrics, as well as Eco Institut-certified Dunlop and Talalay latex.

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!

Non-toxic bed from Savvy Rest

2. Made Trade

Categories: Stools, Beds, Rocking Chairs, Accent Chairs, Tables & Benches

Shipping: Ships within continental U.S.

Furnishing your home mindfully is about to get a lot easier with the help of the collection of sustainable furniture on Made Trade

This woman-owned, Climate Neutral Certified sustainable online store has earth-minded and low-VOC furniture made from recycled materials like aluminum and plastic bottles, responsibly harvested hardwood, and other natural materials like rattan and bamboo.

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE for $20 off your first order of $150+

aluminum stools from Emeco - non-toxic furniture

3. Avocado

Categories: Bed Frames, Dressers, Side Tables & Nightstands, Benches

Shipping: Ships furniture within the contiguous U.S.

Another exciting brand in the world of non-toxic furniture is Avocado. This B-Corp creates wooden furniture using either 100% solid FSC-certified maple hardwood, solid walnut, or 100% reclaimed solid Douglas fir. The furniture is completed using zero-VOC finishes and safe fumeless wood glue — all of which are made in the United States.

Avocado also offers several certified non-toxic furniture pieces that have been GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions and Formaldehyde Free certified by UL Environment. And, each piece of furniture is made in Avocado’s own FSC-certified LA woodshop. 

non-toxic light wood dresser from Avocado

4. Maiden Home

Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Beds, Dining Tables & Coffee Tables, Ottomans & Benches, Dining Chairs & Stools

Shipping: White glove delivery within contiguous U.S. for flat fee 

This woman-founded direct-to-consumer furniture brand takes their commitment to quality and sustainability seriously. Each piece is individually handcrafted by upholstery and wood artisans in the North Carolina region using eco-minded materials like responsibly sourced hardwood and recycled steel springs.

Their furniture is free of flame retardants, formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals and their soy-based foam cushion cores are certified by CertiPUR-US®. Maiden Home also uses water-based, low-VOC glues and stains whenever possible. (You may want to inquire about a specific piece when ordering.)

sustainable wooden table from non-toxic furniture company Maiden Home

5. Medley

Categories: Sofas & Chairs, Bed Frames, Nightstands, Storage, Dining Tables & Chairs, Benches & Desks

Shipping: Ships from the U.S.; Contact Medley for a quote if shipping outside of the U.S.

Made-to-order from quality materials in LA, Medley’s non-toxic furniture for the bedroom, living room, dining room, and office is sturdy and sustainably made.

Medley’s furniture frames are made with FSC-certified domestically-sourced alder hardwood and their tables are crafted from FSC-certified solid walnut and maple.*

And the brand offers a few natural fabric options including hemp and OEKO-TEX 100-certified wool. For cushions, choose between organic Dunlop latex (non-toxic option) or CertiPUR-US®-certified poly foam.

cream colored non-toxic armchair from Medley

*(Note: some parts of Medley’s storage pieces are made using plywood. It is low-VOC CARB 2 compliant.)

6. Natural Home by the Futon Shop

Categories: Bed & Futon Frames, Dressers, Sofas & Sectionals, Side Tables & Coffee Tables 

Shipping: Within contiguous U.S.; custom quotes for shipping elsewhere; offers free in-store pickup

As the name suggests, this furniture brand sells futons and futon frames, but they also offer other natural furniture, like side & coffee tables as well as non-toxic couches & sectionals. 

The Futon Shop has Amish furniture handmade from solid wood (maple, walnut, oak, or cherry) that was harvested from sustainably managed forests and hand-rubbed with a no-VOC natural linseed oil finish. Each piece is handcrafted by Amish craftspeople in Pennsylvania with care, to ensure your piece lasts a lifetime. 

natural bed from The Futon Shop

7. Healthier Homes

Categories: Chairs & Stools, Tables & Benches, Desks

Shipping: Within Contiguous U.S.

Healthier Homes offers a curated selection of non-toxic furniture crafted with quality and sustainability in mind. Their selections of seating, tables, and accent furniture is made from solid wood, natural fabrics and metal, all finished with eco-minded non-toxic finishes.

The non-toxic furniture company also sells non-toxic paints, including cabinet and furniture lacquer.

woven sustainable chair from non-toxic furniture brand Healthier Homes

8. Sabai

Categories: Sofa & Sectional, Ottoman, Chair & Loveseat

Shipping: Free shipping within continental U.S.; shipments to HI & AK incur additional fees 

This affordable sustainable furniture company has a simple, yet sophisticated non-toxic sofa and other seating for your living space that is free of formaldehydes or toxic flame retardants.

Sabai uses FSC-certified wood for the furniture frames, domestically sourced maple for the legs, CertiPUR-US certified foam for the cushions, and recycled fiber fill for the pillows. For the upholstery fabric, customers can select between OEKO-TEX 100 Standard and Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certified recycled velvet or GREENGUARD Gold-certified upcycled poly. 

Non-toxic blue ottoman from Sabai

9. Green Cradle

Categories: Dressers, Chests & Armoires, Bookcases, Nightstands, Cribs

Shipping: Ships within the U.S. and to Canada

Green Cradle crafts 100% solid wood, non-toxic dressers, storage furniture, and cribs in the United States. 

The company sources local, sustainably-sourced woods, including maple, red oak, hard maple, cherry, and walnut and they use a zero-VOC finish (flaxseed/linseed oil) for all of their furniture. This oil is free of synthetic preservatives, heavy metals, carcinogens, polyurethanes, and other toxic chemicals.

And, as one of the only brands on this list with non-toxic cribs, Green Cradle is the place to go if you’re furnishing your little one’s nursery.

Eco-friendly wooden crib from Green Cradle

10. Masaya & Co

Categories: Beds, Sofas & Chairs, Shelves & Storage, Dining Tables & Chairs, Side Tables & Benches, Outdoor Furniture

Shipping: Within the U.S.

Masaya & Co is a sustainable furniture brand that not only commits to responsible wood sourcing, but is actively restoring forests in Nicaragua. The brand plants 100 trees for every product sold and to date, the company has planted 1 million trees.

The heirloom-quality furniture is made from locally-sourced solid tropical hardwood (teak, rosita walnut, and royal mahogany) and crafted in Nicaragua by skilled artisans. These hardwoods are dried in solar kilns on-site and each product is finished with a low-VOC natural oil or water-based poly finish.

Sustainable wooden bookshelf and chair from Masaya & Co - non-toxic furniture

11. My Green Mattress

Categories: Bed Frames

Shipping: Within U.S. and Canada

When it comes to your bedroom, you want your indoor air quality to be as healthy as possible. And My Green Mattress has a non-toxic bed frame to meet those needs.

The mattress brand has a simple and affordable eco-friendly bed frame made from untreated domestically-grown Poplar wood — in other words, it’s free from wood stains, adhesives, or any other toxic chemicals. 

non-toxic simple wooden bed frame from My Green Mattress

12. VivaTerra

Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs & Seating, Benches & Stools, Cabinets & Chests, Desks, Shelves, Dining Tables & Chairs

Shipping: Within the U.S.

VivaTerra is a green lifestyle retailer that has a selection of eco-minded and non-toxic furniture and home decor.

You’ll find elegant pieces made from materials like sustainably-sourced solid wood, 100% reclaimed wood, flax linen fabric, seagrass rope, rattan, and sturdy metal. Much of the furniture is also expertly made by skilled furniture artisans.

Elegant cream table from VivaTerra

13. West Elm Greenguard Certified

Categories: Beds & Cribs, Dressers & Storage, Consoles & Hutches, Desks & Chairs

Shipping: Within U.S.; doorstep or white glove delivery available

Well-known furniture retailer West Elm has a strong selection of non-toxic furniture that is GREENGUARD Certified to be low VOC. This certification indicates that the furniture has been tested to meet strict chemical emissions limits.

West Elm also has other sustainability filters like sustainably-sourced (FSC-certified wood typically), Fair Trade (made in a Fair Trade Certified factory) and Contract-Grade (made to last).

mid century modern wooden non-toxic office desk and chair

14. What We Make

Categories: Bathroom Vanities, Desks & Office Furniture, Bookcases & Storage, Coffee & End Tables, Chairs, Stools & Benches, Dining & Pub Tables

Shipping: Within U.S.

What We Make is an impressive sustainable non-toxic furniture brand based in the Chicago area. They use reclaimed barn wood to make each furniture item made to order.

The non-toxic furniture brand finishes their pieces with an oil-based VOC-free finish that doesn’t contain hazardous chemicals.

15. Vermont Woods Studios

Categories: Beds, Storage, Side Tables & Coffee Tables, Dining Tables & Chairs, Desks & Bookcases

Shipping: Ships to all 50 U.S. states; international shipping

Founded by a husband-and-wife / woodworker-and-conservationist team, Vermont Woods Studios is committed to creating exceptionally high quality and sustainable furniture. 

Vermont Woods Studio sources responsibly-harvested North-American hardwoods for their non-toxic bedroom, dining room, living room, and office furniture. The company also uses low-to-no VOC finishes, such as a GREENGUARD certified lacquer finish, linseed oil, tung oil, and carnauba wax.

Each piece is expertly handcrafted to order in Vermont by furniture craftsmen — their non-toxic furniture even comes with a lifetime warranty.

Solid wood non-toxic storage furniture from Vermont Woods Studio

More Information on Non-Toxic Furniture

Curious to learn more about non-toxic furniture? Here are some considerations on what to look for when shopping for non-toxic furniture for your space.

No Flame Retardants

There are hundreds of different types of flame retardants. Evidence shows that flame retardants are associated with harmful health impacts, such as reproductive toxicity, cancer, neurological function, impacts to the immune system, and adverse effects on fetal and child development.

Once commonplace to meet California’s fire safety standard, fire retardants are now banned by the state at certain concentrations and in certain products — and a growing number of states are also taking action against them to some extent.

So furniture without flame retardants should be considered a very baseline measure.

No Formaldehyde

As one of the 25 most abundantly produced chemicals in the world, exposure to formaldehyde is a common concern in furniture as well as a number of other consumer products.

The health impacts of formaldehyde exposure include:

  • “Corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract”, 
  • Irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
  • Malaise, headache, irritability, memory and dexterity issues, sleeping disturbances
  • Can cause skin disorders and asthma-like symptoms in those who’ve been previously sensitized 
  • And formaldehyde has been determined to be a probable human carcinogen

And as the EPA states, the primary way you’d be exposed to formaldehyde is by “breathing air containing off-gassed formaldehyde”, often the formaldehyde that has “off-gassed from products, including composite wood products”. 

No Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) 

If you’re familiar with the DuPont scandal, you’re familiar with PFCs. While typically associated with non-stick cookware, PFCs are also used to repel oil and water on a number of other types of products, including textiles like upholstered furniture. 

Why are PFCs a problem? Well they’re persistent not only on products, but in the environment and in people and animals. PFCs can be released directly from manufacturing facilities into the air and water or they can be released from any products you have at home containing PFCs and into your indoor air. 

Exposure to PFCs has been associated with several adverse health effects including cancer, liver toxicity, hormone disruption, developmental toxicity, and harm to the immune system.

No PVC (Vinyl)

Many fake leathers (which sometimes come with the euphemism “vegan leather”) are made from PVC. PVC is known as the most toxic and environmentally damaging plastic. 

The chemical used to make PVC, vinyl chloride, is a known carcinogen, linked to increased risks of several types of cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Low VOC or Zero VOC Finishes

VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, include a wide group of chemicals. Examples include: benzene, ethylene glycol, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, and xylene.

While each chemical will have different levels of toxicity and may cause different health impacts, VOCs have been connected to many health issues, including damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system; headaches, fatigue, dizziness and nausea; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Some VOCs are even suspected or known carcinogens.

In an ideal world, you would be able to find furniture that is completely free of VOCs. 

A common zero VOC finish is linseed oil, or flaxseed oil. This natural finish is food safe and free of harmful chemical solvents, heavy metals, or other toxic ingredients.

That said, budgetary limits, aesthetic preferences, and other values (such as local, ethically-made, etc.) are factors.

So, finding low-VOC furniture can also be a good option, especially if you’re able to off-gas it outdoors or in your garage for a few months before bringing it into your home. 

Organic & Natural Materials

This is an obvious one! Preferable materials include organic cotton, hemp, linen, sustainably and locally sourced wool, responsibly-harvested wood (ideally locally sourced and native to the region), and Dunlop latex.

Some certifications to know are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and OEKO-TEX Standard 100. 

Other Non-Toxic Certifications

One common certification is the GREENGUARD certification, which are products that have been “scientifically proven to meet some of the world’s most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards”. 

The GREENGUARD Gold certification is the next level. It includes criteria for additional chemicals and requires lower total VOC emissions. It limits the emissions of over 360 VOCs and chemical emissions. 

Your Non-Toxic Lifestyle Journey

There is a lot to consider when shopping for non-toxic furniture! Hopefully, this breakdown of elements and red flags to look out for was useful and this list of non-toxic furniture brands gave you a good starting point in your research.

Keep in mind that the journey to green living or non-toxic living is just that — a journey. So, don’t stress if you can’t convert 100% of your home to non-toxic decor and furnishings right away. 

Less toxic furniture is still better than conventional super toxic furniture. And implementing air filters or just keeping your windows open each day for an hour can also do wonders. Don’t feel pressured into perfection. Take it slow and do what you can, based on your time and budgetary constraints. 

You’re doing great — thank you for caring so much about your health, your loved one’s health, and the health of our shared environment. 

Note: This curation is based upon publicly available information and while we do our due diligence, Conscious Life & Style cannot guarantee the claims of the companies featured. See our Website Disclaimer for more.

More Guides Like This

Non-Toxic Home Tips: How to Make Your Indoor Air Healthier Now

The Best Non-Toxic Cookware Materials and Brands

10 Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic Sofas

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11 Best Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Bed Frames for a Sustainable Slumber (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/eco-friendly-bed-frames/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eco-friendly-bed-frames https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/eco-friendly-bed-frames/#respond Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:23:27 +0000 https://consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=12011 Rest easy with these eco-friendly bed frames made from sustainable natural materials and non-toxic zero-VOC finishes.

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Unwind and sleep easy with one of these non-toxic and eco-friendly bed frames that you know was sourced consciously, both in respect to your own health and the health of our common home: Planet Earth.

What is a Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Bed Frame?

Just as with other eco-friendly furniture, the key elements to consider when it comes to bed frames are the material, finishes, general production practices, and durability.

How Can You Tell If A Bed Frame Is Sustainable or Non-Toxic?

Materials

If you’re looking for a natural bed frame and want it to be non-toxic, it’s typically best to go the solid wood route if you can.

Most plywood, particleboard, or engineered wood is made with glue that contains formaldehyde. As a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and probable carcinogen, formaldehyde is an environmental and health risk for yourself and the workers producing that product. 

That said, are some plywood/engineered woods that do not contain formaldehyde. But if the product page doesn’t specifically state that the product is formaldehyde-free, then you’ll want to inquire with the company.

Another material to consider if you’re looking for non-toxic furniture is solid metal, due to its durability, easy maintenance, and recyclability. However, this option isn’t so eco-friendly if that metal was newly mined, so look for recycled metal if you want to go this route!

Sourcing

Of course, although wood is renewable, it’s not always sustainably sourced. Look at a company’s About or Sustainability pages to see what information they can provide about how the wood they use is harvested and where it is sourced from. Look for things like:

  • Local sourcing. This minimizes the product’s carbon footprint and typically means that a company has more transparency into their supply chain.
  • FSC-certified. While not perfect, the Forest Stewardship Council seal is the most widely used third-party verification for sustainably-sourced wood.
  • Reclaimed wood. Finding a bed frame made from repurposed materials is a fantastic option if you can find it. Not only does using reclaimed wood reduce waste, but it minimizes the need to cut down additional trees.

Finishes

Most conventional finishes used on furniture contain VOCs, which can cause a myriad of short-term and long-term health impacts. Look for non-toxic bed frames with low-VOC or even better, zero-VOC finishes.

Other Production Practices:

  • Renewable energy use. Does the company use wind or solar power for its operations? Do they purchase Renewable Energy Credits?
  • Waste reduction. How does the company handle material waste such as leftover wood? Do they work to minimize water use and energy use?
  • Donations. Does the company give back to an environmental organization through a group like 1% for the Planet? Do they plant more trees than the number of trees cut down to produce their products?

Durability

One of the all-too-often left out elements of sustainability is durability and longevity! The longer the bed frame lasts, the longer it stays out of the landfill, and the fewer new bed frames you’ll have to consume.

How can you determine durability? Look for sturdy materials, good construction, check out the reviews for the brand’s products, and see what sort of warranty the brand offers. Some brands offer 1-year or 5-year warranties, and some even include a lifetime guarantee! The longer a brand commits to standing behind its products, the better.

If you’re planning to move around often, you may also want to consider how well the bed frame can be deconstructed and reconstructed. Fast furniture brands with poor construction — and that may use plastic in places that should be supported with metal — may not hold up after a few moves.

Ways Can You Find Sustainable and Natural Bed Frames?

As always, shopping secondhand is a great way to source furniture sustainably and more affordably! Sites like Facebook Marketplace, local Buy Nothing groups, and Craigslist can be resources for finding cheap eco-friendly furniture — sometimes, you can even get a piece for free if you’re willing to take care of the pick-up.

I also recommend checking out EstateSales.net to find local estate sales happening near you! I have found some of my absolute favorite pieces of high-quality, preloved furniture at estate sales.

For a more curated selection of secondhand bed frames, check out:

If vintage furniture (usually defined by being more than 40 years old) is more your style, browse these options for sustainable bed frames::

If you can’t find anything preloved, or you’d prefer to purchase a verified non-toxic bed frame, check out these brands below for sustainable bedroom furniture!

By the way, if you’re in need of some bedding as well, check out our guides to non-toxic mattresses, eco-friendly pillows, and organic bedding.

Note that this sustainable bed frame guide contains affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through one of these links, which helps us continue to run this site. As always, all brands meet rigorous criteria for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

Brands with Sustainable and Non-Toxic Bed Frames:

Our Top Overall Pick: Savvy Rest

Eco bed frames from Savvy rest

Savvy Rest has everything you need to sleep more restfully, from organic mattresses to non-toxic bedroom furniture. The brand’s timeless all-natural platform beds — The Afton is their flagship platform bed and The Esmont is a platform bed with a customizable headboard — are made in their own Virginia workshop. Each bed is crafted out of sustainably-sourced maple and poplar wood and is available unfinished or with a zero-VOC finish. 

The non-toxic furniture company also has a sustainable adjustable bed frame crafted from responsibly-sourced solid red oak, featuring a mid-century modern headboard.

Conscious Qualities: Sustainably-Sourced Wood, Zero-VOC Finishes, Local Production

Price: Starts at $945 for a Twin.

*Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off all products on Savvy Rest

Best Sustainable Bed Frames: Avocado

Wooden and sustainable bed frame from Avocado Mattress

Made in their own GOTS-certified (and soon to be Zero Waste certified!) Los Angeles factory, Avocado Mattress makes eco-friendly bed frames with high environmental, health, and social standards. Each bed frame is made out of reclaimed wood or solid FSC-certified timber and zero-VOC finishes.

For the bed frames made from new wood, Avocado Mattress uses non-toxic Titebond wood glues. The Certified B-Corporation also pays living wages and offers benefits, including family healthcare, to their production factory team members.

Conscious Qualities: Reclaimed or FSC-Certified Wood, Zero-VOC Finishes, Local Production in a GOTS-Certified Factory, Greenguard-Certified (Gold), Carbon Neutral Certified

Price: Starts at $695 for Twin

Best Luxury Sustainable Bed Frames: Maiden Home

sustainable upholstered bed from Maiden Home

Maiden Home is a woman-founded luxury furniture company handcrafting all of their furniture made-to-order in North Carolina. As a direct-to-consumer brand, Maiden Home is able to offer the highest quality at a fraction of the price as it would be sold at furniture boutiques.

The furniture brand has high-quality beds made from solid hardwood sourced responsibly in line with the standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. And they offer a variety of fabric options for the upholstery, including several shades of linen.

All furniture is produced without flame retardants, formaldehyde, or other harmful chemicals. And the brand’s performance fabrics are free of PFOS and PFOA and include non-toxic, GREENGUARD Gold certified treatments for stain resistance.

Conscious Qualities: Made to Order, Locally Made, Woman-Founded, Responsibly Sourced Hardwood, Lower Impact Fabric Choices

Price: Starts at $2,225 for Queen

Best Variety of Eco-Friendly Beds: Medley

White upholstered eco-friendly bed from Medley

Using only the highest quality non-toxic materials for their sustainable furniture, Medley has natural bed frames are made from domestically-sourced FSC-certified solid wood. Each wooden bed frame is made-to-order in Los Angeles using zero-VOC glue and zero-VOC all-natural furniture polish. (Note: Medley’s bamboo furniture uses low-VOC finishes.)

If you prefer an upholstered sustainable bed, check out Medley’s Nein bed which has the option to use organic natural latex. 

Conscious Qualities: Local In-House Production, FSC-Certified Wood, Natural Finishes, Made-to-Order

Price: Starts at $2,550 for Twin

Best for Sustainable Upholstered Beds: Saatva

Modern eco-friendly bed frame from Saatva

Saatva is a sustainable mattress company that has expanded into eco-friendly bed frames too. The company uses responsibly sourced hardwood that has been kiln-dried for maximum durability for the bed frame as well as plywood slats for additional support. (Note: I asked Saatva’s customer support team about potential toxins in the plywood, and they have told me that their beds are free of formaldehyde.)

For upholstery, Saatva offers natural linen as an option, which would be the non-toxic fabric choice!

Probably the most impressive feature of Saatva’s beds is their attention to quality and proper support. They even offer a 180-day trial to make sure you love the bed, plus a lifetime warranty — a feature you definitely won’t find at most big box furniture stores.

Conscious Qualities: Sustainably-Sourced Hardwood, Natural Upholstery Option, Lifetime Warranty

Price: Starts at $895 for a Queen

Best Responsible Forestry Practices: Masaya & Co

 Eco-friendly bed frame from Mayasa & Co

Beginning as a reforestation project, Masaya & Co. is dedicated to beyond sustainable sourcing. Not only does the furniture brand harvest their wood responsibly from their own forest (talk about transparency!), but the brand plants 100 trees for every product sold. All of Masaya & Co.’s eco-friendly bed frames are handmade by craftspeople in Nicaragua and finished with low-VOC natural oils.

Conscious Qualities: Invests in Reforestation, Made-to-Order, Ethical Production

Price: Starts at $1,405 for Twin

Best Simple Sustainable Wood Bed Frame: Birch

Solid wood non-toxic bed frame from Birch with mattress

Organic and eco-friendly mattress company Birch also has a natural wood bed frame made from responsibly-sourced hardwood. In fact, all of the wood in the Birch Wood Frame are from FSC-certified and LEED compliant sources, to verify their commitment to responsible wood harvesting and energy use.

Specifically, this sustainable bed frame is made up of Appalachian hardwood bed rails, solid Southern Yellow Pin wood slats, and Appalachian Maple legs. This minimal solid wood bed frame is finished with all-natural water-based VOC-free finishes.

And in case you needed more reasons to love this non-toxic bed frame: it’s handmade in the USA, ships free, and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Conscious Qualities: Solid Wood, Responsibly Sourced, Zero VOC Finishes

Price: $499 for Twin

Best Affordable Eco-Friendly Bed Frame: Thuma

Sustainable and wooden bed frame from Thuma

Minimal yet functional, Thuma’s eco-friendly beds are designed with intention — they are supportive and sturdy yet simple and easy to assemble.

Each minimalist bed is made from upcycled and repurposed rubberwood trees and is shipped out efficiently in recycled cardboard. (No styrofoam here!) With an average 4.9 star rating from nearly 10,000 reviews, there’s clearly a lot to love about Thuma’s sustainable bed frames!

Conscious Qualities: Greenguard Certified, Repurposed Wood, Eco Packaging

Price: Starts at $795 for Twin

Best Untreated Non-Toxic Bed Frame: My Green Mattress

Non-toxic and eco bed frames from My Green Mattress

MyGreenMattress.com has a simple sustainable bed frame made in the US from untreated domestically-sourced Poplar wood. The non-toxic bed frame does not have any wood stains, adhesives, or toxic chemicals. This slatted platform bed also eliminates the need for a box spring.

Conscious Qualities: Domestically-Sourced Wood, Non-Toxic & Untreated, Made in the US

Price: Starts at $419

Best for Reassembly and Apartment Living: Floyd

Floyd Sustainable Bed Frame in Birch

Designed with simplicity and longevity in mind, The Floyd eco-friendly bed frame is made with as few parts as possible (forget the headache of sorting through hundreds of pieces to set up your furniture!) so that it can be constructed, deconstructed, and reconstructed with ease.

Floyd’s wooden bed frame is made with sustainably-sourced real wood veneer. Veneer is a composite wood product, though Floyd reports that the panels have extremely low adhesive emissions. Since composite wood makes the bed lighter weight, this choice might it preferable if you’re planning on moving the bed a few times.

You can also customize your Floyd Bed Frame with add-ons like a bedside table, upholstered headboard, or (what would be my personal pick) underbed storage.

Floyd has also recently added a Bed Frame in Color, which is made with 50% recycled wood and comes in at a lower price point.

Conscious Qualities: Long-Lasting, Made With Natural Materials

Price: Starts at $540

Best for Heirloom Quality Sustainable Beds: Vermont Wood Studios

Sustainable Non-Toxic Bed Frame from Vermont Wood Studios

Handmade using premium solid American hardwood that was sustainably sourced by Vermont craftsmen, the sustainable wooden beds from Vermont Wood Studios are truly crafted to last a lifetime — and perhaps several more generations.

Each piece of eco-friendly furniture from the company is made-to-order and larger orders are delivered with white glove service. Vermont Wood Studios also uses eco-friendly, non-toxic coatings to finish their wood and protect against wear, such as natural linseed oils, tung oil, or GREENGUARD certified formaldehyde-free lacquer.

Conscious Qualities: Sustainably Sourced Solid Wood, Made-to-Order, Lifetime Guarantee, Made In The US, Non-Toxic Finishes

Price: Starts at $1,870

Final Thoughts on Sustainable and Non-Toxic Bed Frames;

There is quite a bit to look out for when shopping for eco-friendly bed frames, but I hope that this explanation and the roundup of brands above will help you out on your search!

Shopping For More Furniture? Browse These Guides:

21 Best Sustainable Furniture Brands

Non-Toxic Furniture Brands For A Healthy Home

The Best Non-Toxic Sofas for Truly Restful Relaxation

Your Ultimate Guide to Eco & Organic Bedding (30+ Brands!)

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10 Best Eco-Friendly Chairs for Sustainable Seating (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-chairs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-chairs https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-chairs/#respond Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:52:01 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=15727 Whether you're looking for sustainable chairs to dine in, work in, or relax in, this guide will help you find just what you're looking for.

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Whether you’re looking for sustainable accent chairs, desk chairs, or dining chairs, this guide will help you find just what you’re looking for. 

What Are Sustainable Chairs?

Before we get into the brands, let’s talk about the criteria for a “sustainable chair”. As with anything in sustainability, there isn’t necessarily a black-or-white definition, but here are some general guidelines to keep in mind.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Recycled and low impact natural materials are ideal when it comes to searching for that perfect eco-friendly chair. 

Some materials you may want to look for are recycled aluminum (which is naturally rust-resistant) and reclaimed or sustainably-harvested hardwood.

For upholstered chairs, look for fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, linen, and recycled fabrics. And for the foam, some alternatives to synthetic foam include natural organic latex, coconut fiber, and organic wool.

Non-Toxic Finishes

When looking for wood furniture, check to see if the furnishes are free of toxic chemicals. Zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) is best and there are also many low-VOC options. Just try to leave any low-VOC furniture outside for a bit before taking it into your home if you can! [Check out more non-toxic home tips in this post.]

Responsible and Sustainable Production Practices

Given how heavy and bulky furniture is, local production is particularly important since the emissions from shipping can really add up.

Searching for domestic production is great, and local production within the area/state of the company can allow for even better transparency. 

Where to Find Sustainable Chairs

Now, let’s get into where you can find eco-friendly chairs that meet some or all of this criteria! We’ll start off with some options to find used chairs and then get into the brands with sustainably-made chairs.

Note that this guide includes partners and affiliates. As always, all brands featured meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we truly love — and that we think you’ll love too!

Secondhand Sources for Eco-Friendly Chairs

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are two classic options when it comes to finding used furniture! Here are some others to know:

OfferUp (buy and sell locally)

AptDeco (available in New York metro, Philadelphia metro, and Bay Area)

Chairish (vintage)

Kaiyo

EBTH (like an online estate sale)

EstateSales.net (for finding in-person estate sales!)

Places to Find New Eco-Friendly Chairs

If you can’t find what you’re looking for secondhand, check out these brands and retailers with eco-friendly office chairs, dining chairs, armchairs, and more.

Looking for outdoor chairs? Check out this guide to outdoor furniture.

Best Non-Toxic: Savvy Rest

Savvy Rest is a seriously impressive non-toxic furniture brand that has every single element covered when it comes to sustainable chairs! The Verona Organic Armchair is made using GOTS-certified organic cotton and/or hemp upholstery, organic wool batting, sustainably-sourced solid hardwood maple, Cradle-to-Cradle Gold Certified Natural Talalay latex foam, natural coir, jute webbing, and zero-VOC finishes.

Conscious Qualities: Organic & Eco Materials, Sustainable Wood, Non-Toxic Finishes, Locally Made

Price Range: $2,699-$2,999

Use Code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!

Shipping: White Glove delivery within continental U.S. Contact their team for shipping quotes outside of the 48 contiguous states.

Check Out Savvy Rest’s Armchair

Sustainable red sofa chair from Savvy Rest

Best Luxury: Maiden Home

Proving that furniture can be both beautiful and responsibly made, Maiden Home’s sustainable accent chairs and dining chairs are handcrafted in North Carolina from premium quality, eco-minded materials like 100% pure linen, recycled steel springs, and soy-based foam.

The woman-founded brand partners directly with artisans to bring you the best quality at affordable prices — and ensure transparent production.

Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order in North Carolina, Non-Toxic, Responsibly Sourced Hardwood

Price Range: $1,325 – $2,250

Shipping: Free white glove delivery within contiguous U.S. + some locations in Canada

Check Out Maiden Home

sustainable accent chairs from non-toxic American made furniture company Maiden Home

Best Outdoor Chairs: Made Trade

Sustainable retailer Made Trade has a variety of eco-friendly dining chairs, office chairs, and accent chairs made from thoughtful materials like sustainably sourced hardwood and recycled aluminum.

Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Materials & Practices, Carbon Neutral Certified Company

Price Range: $420-$1,150

Shipping: Ships furniture within the US only

Check Out Accent Chairs and Dining Chairs

Sustainable colourful outdoor chair from Made Trade

Best Circularity Practices: Sabai

In addition to using recycled & upcycled fibers for their sofas, Sabai has two circularity programs: Repair Don’t Replace — where you can find individual parts — and Sabai Revive where you can sell back your Sabai furniture or buy previously owned furniture for a lower cost.

Conscious Qualities: Recycled and Sustainably-Sourced Materials, Repair Program, Resale Program

Price Range: $745 – $795

Shipping: Ships within U.S. and Canada

Check Out Sabai

gray velvet sustainable accent chair made with recycled materials

Best Fair Trade: The Citizenry

Handcrafted and made-to-order with the finest materials like solid walnut and performance fabrics to withstand the test of time, The Citizenry’s sustainable chairs are well-positioned to become heirloom pieces.

The Citizenry partners with artisans around the world for all of their pieces, ensuring fair trade conditions and wages for the makers behind their products. Their fair trade chairs are made in Indonesia (teak and rattan chairs) and Northern California (upholstered chairs).

Price Range: $399 – $1,799

Shipping: Ships furniture within the U.S. only

Check Out The Citizenry

red sustainable armchair from The Citizenry

Best Sustainability Practices: Medley

Non-toxic furniture brand Medley creates quality non-toxic and eco-minded furnishings, and their armchair collection is no exception. You’ll find sustainable chairs crafted just for you in LA using materials like FSC-certified hardwood, CertiPUR-US® certified foam, and organic natural latex.

Conscious Qualities: Non-Toxic and Eco Materials, Domestic Production

Price Range: $1,060-$1,940

Shipping: Ships internationally; contact to get quotes for shipping outside of the US

Check Out Medley’s Armchairs

Eco-friendly chairs from Medley Home

Best Office Chairs: noho

The sustainable office chair meets dining chair from noho is not only designed to maximize ergonomic comfort, but it’s made using ECONYL regenerated nylon sourced from ocean waste. And, the chair is made in a production facility that uses 80%+ renewable energy.

Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials, Made with Renewable Energy

Price: $375

Shipping: Free shipping within the contiguous U.S.

Check Out noho

Sustainable desk chair or dining chair made from ECONYL from noho

Most Options: Burrow

Out to transform the way furniture is made and sold, Burrow makes modular furniture that can expand and grow as your needs change. You can easily combine many of their armchairs and ottomans with sofas for a sectional!

The eco-friendly armchairs are made with responsibly-forested wood and non-toxic upcycled fabric upholstery.

Conscious Qualities: Responsibly-Sourced Wood, Eco-Conscious Fabric, Modular & Adaptable

Price Range: $425- $1,790

Shipping: Free shipping within the continental U.S.

Check Out Burrow’s Armchairs

gray cloth sustainable chair from Burrow

Best Design: West Elm

A large furniture brand making some significant strides in implementing sustainable options, West Elm lets you filter by elements like Green Guard Certified and Sustainably Sourced. The Sustainably Sourced collection includes eco-friendly chairs made with materials like FSC-Certified wood and linen fabric.

Our favorite pick? The Mara Hoffman chair made in collaboration with the sustainable fashion brand of the same name.

Conscious Qualities: Options with FSC-Certified Wood, Natural Fabric, Contract Grade Quality, Green Guard Certified

Price Range: $699 – $3,197

Shipping: Ships within U.S. to home or local West Elm store

Check Out West Elm

beige sustainable chair from West Elm

Best Dining Chairs: Urban Natural

Urban Natural has many eco-minded options in their vast selection of furnishings. They have eco-friendly dining chairs made from sustainably sourced hardwood and armchairs from brands like Environment by Cisco Home made with organic materials. 

Conscious Qualities: Eco-Minded Natural Materials & Processes

Price Range: $450-$7,000

Shipping: White Glove delivery in the contiguous U.S. for $250 flat rate (free for orders $2,500+)

Check Out Dining Chairs and Living Room Chairs 

Eco-friendly dining chairs from Urban Natural

And that wraps it up! I hope you found this guide to sustainable chairs useful, whether you were looking for desk chairs, upholstered chairs, or dining chairs. For outdoor chairs, check out this sustainable outdoor furniture guide.

Liked this guide to sustainable chairs? Check out these other furniture guides:

The Best Non-Toxic Sofas for Truly Restful Relaxation

Gorgeous Sustainable Tables to Gather Around

Ethical Home Decor Brands for Your Conscious Space

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18 Men’s Sustainable Clothing Brands You Should Have on Your Radar https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/mens-sustainable-clothing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mens-sustainable-clothing https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/mens-sustainable-clothing/#respond Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:44:02 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=25588 From compostable loungewear to high-performance outerwear, check out these men's sustainable clothing brands making menswear more consciously.

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For the sustainably curious men who’d like to shop better but don’t know where to start, consider this your beginner’s guide to brands who are committed to making their menswear mindfully. 

When it comes to shopping, consciously adding pieces to your closet is not only the better approach, but also a great way to make more carefully considered clothing choices. Choices that you’ll keep coming back to, the kinds that never seem to go out of style, are high-quality — and ideally — have a lower impact on the environment. If that sounds about right, then look no further, we’ve put together a curation of the best sustainable clothing brands for men that tick most of the eco-friendly boxes and help you elevate your style for the long haul.

From organic loungewear to business casuals that’ll have you rethinking the assumption that anything eco-friendly is frumpy, discover 20 ethical men’s clothing brands that will make you feel good about where you’re spending your hard-earned money.

Where to Find Men’s Sustainable Clothing Brands:

Transparency note: this guide contains affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you choose to shop through these links which helps us continue this site. As always we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. Outerknown

Move over coastal grandma, Outerknown has been mastering the laid-back coastal lifestyle look since 2014. Co-founded by surfing legend, Kelly Slater, the brand is known for its après surf style offerings that include cozy blanket shirts to layer up in, crew neck sweaters, relaxed fit denim, and a lot more that are made from conscious materials like organic cotton, hemp blends, along with recycled polyester and nylon for its performance wear, like the high-performance swim trunks that were developed and tested by the pro-surfer himself.

What you’ll find: casuals, activewear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

2. Patagonia

Your next outdoor adventure will feel all the more relaxing when you know your clothes and gear were made with the pristine nature around you in mind.

A company that recently made headlines after founder Yvon Chouinard gave the business away to fight the climate crisis, sporting Patagonia gear is also about standing for a better way to do business. 

Expect to find high-performance gear and clothing made from the most mindful materials and recycled fibers that are making a difference. For used Patagonia apparel and gear, check out their Worn Wear site.

What you’ll find: outdoor clothing, casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

3. Asket

Curating a lasting wardrobe is not too dissimilar to building a retirement portfolio. Just like valuable assets, your clothes should be in it for the long haul and offer a higher return on investment. But every portfolio needs an advisor, and there’s no brand that offers high-quality wardrobe perennials like Asket. 

Their permanent collection is chock full of everyday essentials that’ll outlive passing trends and seamlessly transition from season to season and is crafted from materials like organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, reclaimed wool, and recycled cashmere.

What you’ll find: business casuals, casual wear, intimates, and other everyday essentials 

Price: $$-$$$

4. Toad&Co

A mission-driven brand that started out by offering outdoor gear, Toad&Co now creates ethically made men’s clothing items that work for everyday adventures like comfortable activewear, cozy loungewear, smart casuals, and snuggle-worthy outerwear crafted in the best eco-friendly materials.

The brand also partners with a warehouse that employs and trains individuals for disabilities, while facilitating outdoor adventures for them, for some of whom, these trips have been the first adventures they’ve ever had.

What you’ll find: casuals, activewear, outdoor clothing, and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

trousers from sustainable men's clothing brand Toad&Co

5. Kotn

If you’re searching for timeless pieces that don’t adhere to ever-changing trends and were made to last in a sea of throwaway clothing, then look no further. Kotn’s range of elevated everyday basics comes in minimalist neutrals that can easily work with your existing wardrobe and help you level up your style quotient. 

Made from low-impact fibers like linen, lyocell, organic cotton, and other cotton varieties, the brand uses its profits to help fund the education of children in rural Egypt, where some of its cotton is grown. 

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$ 

6. No Nasties

No Nasties is an Indian sustainable clothing brand that creates everyday essentials for men in organic materials using no nasty processes, just as its namesake so aptly suggests. 

With “emit less, balance the rest” as its mantra, the brand offsets the carbon footprint of every product they make, while also eliminating waste, and upcycling its overstock fabrics into new styles.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$

7. unspun

Ever dreamed of owning a pair of well-fitted denim jeans that don’t require a belt to stay in place? The denim makers at unspun are here to make those dreams come true. 

Unspun creates customized jeans on a made-to-order basis using a 3D scan of your body to offer you the best fit ever. Their denim is crafted from organic cotton material and processed with low-impact dyes using water that’s recycled and fed back into the system.

The bonus: If you’re dissatisfied with the fit, they’ll alter it for you free of charge! 

Intrigued to know more? We broke down the steps on how you can get a custom-made pair from them online in this guide

Price: $$$

man wearing custom fit sustainable jeans

8. Neem

Inspired by the Indian tree known for its healing properties, Neem was created as an “antiseptic” to fast fashion with its range of sustainable power casuals that’ll help you look slick while going easy on the environment.

From t-shirts to shirts, overshirts, and some complementing accessories, Neem crafts its clothes using recycled and regenerative fibers for the most part along with GOTS certified organic cotton, ZQ Merino, or unwanted stock. 

All of their products are tested for a full lifecycle analysis and the brand also encourages its UK-based customers to send in their worn-out menswear for recycling – whether it’s a Neem product or not – in exchange for £30 credit towards their next purchase. 

What you’ll find: smart casuals

Price: $$-$$$ 

man wearing recycled flannel from sustainable menswear brand Neem

9. Grailed

A secondhand online marketplace with no shortage of menswear, Grailed is a great place to explore the coolest streetwear finds, along with designer pieces from the likes of Balenciaga, Dior, Gucci, and many more in near-mint condition if you’re in the market for a budgeted luxury buy.

All of their big-ticket designer items have been authenticated using a combination of human and machine moderation to help ensure everything you buy is legit. 

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear, and business casuals

Price: $$-$$$$

10. Story mfg.

For the men who enjoy sporting a great print on their clothing, appreciate art, and sartorially enjoy channeling their hippie side, Story mfg. has everything you need. With a high focus on craft and non-toxic clothing processes, the brand even states that they carry out the natural dyeing in a re-planted forest where all of their waste is used to fertilize the gardens right after.

Consider this your one-stop shop for print-happy graphic t-shirts, patchwork jackets, and hand-knitted sweatshirts. 

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

11. Harvest & Mill

If you ask us, sustainability starts with everyday essentials. Right from the pajamas you wear, to the tees you have on rotation, knowing that your day-to-day basics were made responsibly, locally, and can be composted at the end of their life will bring you a level of eco-ease. That’s the sort of confidence you can have in the organic cotton essentials from Harvest & Mill.

All of their pieces are crafted from natural, dye-free organic cotton, some of which are made from heirloom variety cotton that naturally grows in shades of brown, green, and red.

What you’ll find: everyday casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

12. Armedangels

Armedangels is a German brand that’s creating sustainably-minded everyday basics. Think t-shirts, shirts, polos, knitwear, outerwear, and denim, everything that lays the very foundation of your wardrobe, but made better. 

With a special focus on creating low-impact denim, their DetoxDenim range is free from the slew of toxic dyes and chemicals that are usually found in the production process of conventional jeans. While their Circular denim is mechanically recycled and consists of 20% recycled organic cotton residues and waste from their own production.  

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear 

Price: $$-$$$ 

13. De Bonne Facture

Derived from the French expression that describes “a way of doing things well”, De Bonne Facture marries Parisian style with skilled craftsmanship to bring you sophisticated separates made from the finest eco-conscious materials.

With high importance on provenance, each piece comes with a hangtag detailing the name, locality, and history of the atelier that made it, just like fine French wine.

What you’ll find: casual wear, business casuals, loungewear 

Price: $$$ 

14. Ecoalf

Born out of the vision to stop carelessly using natural resources, Ecoalf creates most of its clothing using recycled materials, predominantly ocean plastic. Since 2015, the brand has been collecting plastic waste with help from the fishing industry and transforming it into yarn and fabrics to produce high-quality sustainable clothing for men and women.

From slick streetwear casuals to loungewear essentials and weather-resistant clothing, Ecoalf has everything you need to hit the slopes or streets in style.

What you’ll find: streetwear, activewear, outdoor clothing, and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

15. Opera Campi

Opera Campi is an Italian made-to-order men’s slow fashion brand that uses hemp as its hero fabric. Full of enduring everyday styles that speak to the minimalist aesthetic, their hemp fabric comes in all-natural and woolen blends to suit your seasonal needs. 

We love the fact that they’ve invented a “moon button” from a sustainable metal that gets its namesake from the patinated look it achieves after being buried in microorganism-rich soil for three days.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear 

Price: $$-$$$ 

16. Nudie Jeans Co.

If you’re in the market for a fresh pair of lifetime-quality jeans, then look no further. Nudie Jeans Co. creates its denim material from 100% organic cotton in a wide variety of washes and styles. The brand also repurposes and recycles its used jeans to resell them as secondhand styles.

We love the fact that each one of their fit styles has a quirky name to it instead of the run-of-the-mill straight, slim, or wide leg. Whether you’re leaning towards a Lean Dean, Rad Rufus, Thin Finn, or Gritty Jackson, there’s a fit style to suit every taste.

What you’ll find: denim jeans, along with casual wear and loungewear pieces

Price: $$-$$$ 

17. Olderbrother

Featuring cool casuals in a color palette defined by nature, Olderbother is a men’s sustainable fashion brand that treats its clothing using nature-derived hues from oak tree barks, gooseberries, turmeric, and other plant sources. The resulting colors feature intentional imperfections and unevenness that will become darker when exposed to the sun and over time. 

Primarily crafted from organic cotton, their range of elevated casual wear also features unique blends of wool, woven rice paper, and linen. 

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$$

18. JCRT

JCRT is a zero waste men’s slow fashion brand that creates all things plaid in polished styles on a made-to-order basis. But, don’t let their love of plaid intimidate you, these tartans come in cool color combinations, while some pieces are remixed with elements like skulls, journal notes, shapes, and symbols to create a unique print that’s processed using low-impact dyes and less water, compared with traditional garment production.

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

Read More About Conscious Fashion:

What is Sustainable Fashion?

What is Slow Fashion?

What is Ethical Fashion?

About The Author:

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers

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9 Eco-Friendly Bookcases & Sustainable Shelves to Showcase Your Latest Reads (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-shelves-bookcases/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-shelves-bookcases https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-shelves-bookcases/#respond Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:58:37 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=20463 These eco-friendly bookcases and sustainable shelves are made from materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled aluminum, and sustainably-sourced solid wood.

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Furnishing your home sustainably is rarely simple — it can be tricky to find the perfect item that matches your style and vision, while also ensuring that this new addition to your home is green-minded — and eco-friendly bookcases are no exception.

But, we’re here to help! Below, we’ve compiled a list of brands that design sustainable shelves and beautiful, eco-friendly bookcases. 

What Makes a Bookshelf Sustainable?

When looking for sustainable shelves or bookcases, a great sign is if it’s handcrafted- or made to order. They should also be durable, and built to last a lifetime. Some sustainable furniture brands may even have warranties or lifetime guarantees!

These items will be made from sustainably sourced solid, reclaimed, or salvaged wood. If the piece is made with engineered wood (common in more affordably priced furniture), ensure it’s free from formaldehyde, which is a probable human carcinogen

If the company sources and manufactures in the US, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification. Sustainable shelving and bookcases may also feature additional natural, recycled or upcycled materials. 

The furniture should be free of VOCs, volatile organic compounds and have natural — or at least non-toxic, low-VOC —  finishes. [Learn more about non-toxic furniture.]

Additionally, any company that produces sustainable shelves or bookcases should be using fair labor. Whether they partner with artisans and craftspeople, produce their furniture in-house, or use global manufacturers, look for transparency that they’re paying fair wages and ensuring healthy working conditions.  

Where to Find Sustainable Bookcases and Shelving

A great place to start looking is at second-hand or thrift stores! Alternatively you can find gently used pieces on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, AptDeco, or Kaiyo. Reusing or repurposing furniture that would otherwise go to waste is always a sustainable option!

If you can’t find something you love second-hand, then the next best choice is to shop from one of the sustainable brands below. Not only do these brands design eco-friendly bookcases and shelves, but they also have a wide selection of home goods to meet all your furnishing needs. 

Note that this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links which helps us continue to run this website and create resources like these. As always all brands meet strict sustainability criteria and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

1. Medley

Inspired by their sustainability-minded parents, Medley was founded by two brothers based in California. Their all-natural, bio-based beeswax finish is even named after their dad. Medley creates sustainable bookcases and other storage furniture from locally sourced, 100% solid wood from FSC-certified forests.

Price: $1,995-$2,895

Materials: Solid Hard White Maple, American Walnut Wood

Conscious Highlights: Custom Made, Locally Made, FSC-Certified, Family Run

Check out Medley

Eco-friendly bookshelf from Medley

2. Greenington

Based out of Washington, Greenington is a furniture company with pieces crafted from sustainably hand-harvested Moso bamboo. Greenington sources mature bamboo for maximum strength and durability. The brand makes sustainable bookshelves and bookcases, as well as a full collection of bamboo furniture. 

Price: $132-$5,289

Materials: Moso Bamboo

Conscious Highlights: Zero-waste Production, ISO certified factories, Handcrafted, BIPOC owned

Check out Greenington @ Lumens Light + Living | @ Modern Digs 

Sustainable bookshelves from Greenington

3. Emeco

Emeco handcrafts their durable, sustainable furniture locally, in Pennsylvania. They use recycled aluminum and responsibly-harvested wood for their sustainable shelves and bookcases  and their furniture is free of VOCs and toxic chemicals.

Price: $3,871-$4,883

Materials: Recycled Aluminum, Sustainably Harvested Walnut, Ash, or Acoya

Conscious Highlights: FSC Certified, Cradle to Gold Certified, Vegan

Check out Emeco

Eco-friendly shelves from Emeco

4. Masaya & Co

Masaya & Co has a stunning collection of sustainable shelves and bookcases handcrafted by artisans in Nicaragua. Their shelves are made to order from responsibly-harvested wood and feature a low-VOC finish. Masaya & Co originated as a reforestation project in Nicaragua, and continues to embody that ethos by planting 100 trees for each item they sell. 

Price: $1,600-$2,800

Materials: Royal Mahogany, Teak, Rosita Walnut

Conscious Highlights: Handcrafted, Plants Trese, Vegan

Check out Masaya & Co

Eco-friendly shelf from Masaya & Co

5. West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection

West Elm’s sustainably sourced collection is a great place to find an eco-friendly bookshelf or bookcase. Among this collection, you’ll find furniture that is made from FSC-Certified wood, pieces made in Fair Trade Certified factories, and items with the Greenguard Gold seal.

Price: $90- $2,399

Materials: Solid Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Conscious Highlights: Fair Trade, FSC Certified, Greenguard Gold Certified

Check out West Elm

Eco-friendly shelves from West Elm

6. Crate & Barrel FSC-Certified

Crate & Barrel’s FSC-Certified collection features bookshelves made with materials like solid oak, mahogany wood, teak, and rattan. And you can find a range of styles and finishes in their collection, from natural oak to espresso and driftwood.

It’s worth noting that the company’s bookshelves do contain veneer and engineered wood as well, like most furniture with shelving or drawers. Some products do indicate low-emissions engineered wood.

Price: $799 – $3,200

Materials: FSC-Certified Wood (with some parts made with engineered wood)

Conscious Highlights: Natural Materials, Responsibly Sourced

Check out Crate & Barrel

FSC-certified sustainable wooden bookshelf

7. Burrow

Burrow’s modular storage systems — which can be used as bookshelves — are designed to grow with you. Add units to expand your bookshelf or media center storage or separate units to create several pieces of furniture

Price: $299 – $2,189

Materials: Engineered Wood and Steel

Conscious Highlights: Modular and Adaptable, Durable

Check out Burrow

durable wood and steel bookshelf

8. Vermont Woods Studios

Vermont Woods Studios has gorgeous solid wood bookcases sourced from sustainably-managed forests in Vermont. They offer a lifetime guarantee and even allow you to order samples of their wood to ensure you’ll love the final product. They also partner with 1% for the planet to support reforestation of the Amazon Rainforest. 

Price: $1206-$9648

Materials: Cherry, Walnut, Maple, and Oak Hardwood

Conscious Highlights: Custom Made, Local Sourcing, Gives Back, Woman-Owned

Check out Vermont Wood Studios

Sustainable shelves from Vermont Wood Studio

9. Green Cradle

Green Candle is a family-run company that specializes in solid wood furniture, including wood bookcases and shelves. They craft each eco-friendly bookshelf from trees harvested sustainably and locally and use an all natural flaxseed oil finish free of toxins. 

Price: $1,295-$1,395

Materials: 100% Solid Wood

Conscious Highlights: Locally Sourced, Locally Made

Check out Green Cradle

Sustainable shelves from Green Cradle

More Guides to Browse:

Sustainable Tables and Coffee Tables to Gather Around

12 Non-Toxic Furniture Brands for a Healthy Home

Sustainable Storage Furniture: Dressers, Media Consoles, and More

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7 Sustainable Dressers and Storage Furniture Companies (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-dressers-storage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-dressers-storage https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-dressers-storage/#respond Fri, 01 Dec 2023 21:58:14 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=16168 These sustainable dressers, media consoles, sideboards, and other storage furniture pieces will help you keep it all stored away in style.

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No matter how minimalist your home may be, we all have stuff to store — so check out these sustainable dressers, wardrobes, armoires and other storage furniture to help you keep everything stored away in style.

What Makes Dressers and Storage Furniture Sustainable?

As with anything in sustainability, there are various approaches that can make something “sustainable”.

Secondhand

With over 12 million tons (or 24 billion pounds) of furniture getting wasted each year in the United States alone, it’s definitely a great idea to look used when possible! 

Secondhand not only helps divert furniture from the landfill, but reduces the need to extract new materials, whether that’s metal, wood, cotton, or increasingly, petroleum for synthetic fabrics and plastic.

Responsibly Sourced Wood

Most storage furniture is made from wood (or engineered wood). While wood is a natural material, we also know that deforestation is a massive issue.

So, look for domestic or certified sustainably-sourced wood when purchasing wooden furniture. The largest most common certification is FSC-, which stands for Forest Stewardship Council, Certified.

Even better is if you can find furniture made from reclaimed wood! This is basically upcycled wood that is being repurposed. Ttis reclaimed wood can come from old barns, ships, factories, warehouses, or even wine barrels! 

Non-Toxic Finishes

Unfortunately, many wood finishes contain harmful petroleum- and chemical-based solvents which can emit VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. 

While the toxicity is most severe during application and does reduce with time, the chemicals can build up in your home, so you may feel most comfortable minimizing risk of VOCs. 

Why does this matter? Well, the EPA reports that indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air — largely due to what we bring into our homes, from furniture to household cleaners.

Look for low-VOC finishes, water-based finishes, or plant-based oil finishes. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s guide to wood stains and finishes for more.

Where Can I Find Sustainable Dressers and Eco-Friendly Storage Furniture?

Well, we’ve done the hard work for you and curated furniture brands with sustainable dressers, armoires, wardrobes, shelving or other storage furniture.

Note that this guide includes affiliate links. As always, all brands meet strict criteria and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!

Places to Find Secondhand Dressers and Storage Furniture:

New Sustainable Dressers, Wardrobes, Armoires, and Storage Furniture:

1. Avocado

Beautifully designed and built to last, Avocado Mattress uses either sustainably-harvested hardwood (solid walnut or maple) or reclaimed wood for their sustainable dressers, nightstands and other storage furniture. They also have bed frames if you want a matching set in your bedroom.

Everything is made in the company’s own FSC-certified Los Angeles woodshop.

Categories: Dressers, Nightstands

Price Range: $750+

Check Out Avocado

dark walnut sustainable wooden dresser

2. Maiden Home

Elegantly handcrafted by expert furniture craftspeople in North Carolina, Maiden Home has beautiful sustainable bedroom furniture, including solid wood dressers and nightstands.

The dressers are made-to-order from solid wood and low VOC finishes.

Maiden Home is a woman-owned direct-to-consumer furniture company dedicated to creating timeless, quality furniture made with responsibly sourced materials.

Categories: Nightstands, Dressers

Price Range: $2,900 – $5,275

Check out Maiden Home

light solid wood nontoxic sustainable dresser

3. Medley

Medley’s sustainable storage pieces like their dressers are handmade to order in California. The wide dresser pictured here comes in maple or walnut sourced domestically in the US.

The tops and sides are solid wood and plywood is used elsewhere (as is typical with furniture with drawers). The piece is finished with non-toxic natural beeswax.

Categories: Dressers, Credenzas

Price Range: $995+

Check Out Medley

light wood sustainable nontoxic dresser

4. West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection

West Elm is getting serious about sustainability with eco-friendly storage furniture that’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified, crafted in Fair Trade Certified facilities, made from responsibly-sourced wood, and/or Contract Grade (i.e. high quality + durable).

Categories: Dressers, Nightstands

Price Range: $599+

Check Out West Elm

Sustainable brown sideboards from West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection

5. Thuma

Designed for maximum functionality and versatility, Thuma’s 100% upcycled solid wood and Greenguard Gold Certified dressers give you endless options.

Configure a couple drawers for a nightstand and add on more drawers vertically or horizontally for a full dresser that can fit any space.

The modular setup may be especially useful for families with evolving needs or those who are moving frequently. You can add on more drawers if your needs grow or separate a large dresser into two smaller ones — the options really are endless.

Price Range: $790 – $3,495

Categories: Modular Storage: Dresser, Nighstand, Multipurpose Storage

Check out Thuma

light wood eco-friendly dresser from Thuma

6. Masaya & Co

Originally founded as a reforestation project, Masaya & Co is committed to responsible sourcing for all of their sustainable storage furniture. Each piece — from bookshelves to credenzas — is constructed by skilled artisans in Nicaragua from 100% solid wood. Masaya & Co’s furniture is available in teak, mahogany, or walnut and most items are made to order.

Price Range: $940+

Categories: Dressers, Credenzas, Shelves, TV Stands / Media Cabinets

Check Out Masaya & Co

teak sustainable wood dresser

7. Crate & Barrel FSC-Certified

Crate & Barrel has a vast selection of FSC-certified wood storage furniture, including dressers, chests, and full wardrobes or armoires.

You’ll find an array of woods and finishes as well, from weathered rustic natural wood to dark espresso-finished wood.

Price Range: $499+

Categories: Dressers, Nightstands, Armoires & Wardrobes

Check out Crate & Barrel’s FSC-Certified Collection

FSC-certified wood armoire in light wood

More Guides Like This:

21 Best Places to Find Sustainable Furniture

8 Gorgeous Sustainable Tables to Gather Around

Best Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Sofas to Relax In

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7 Sustainable Bar Stools and Counter Stools To Complete Your Space (2024) https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-counter-bar-stools/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-counter-bar-stools https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-counter-bar-stools/#respond Fri, 01 Dec 2023 18:39:04 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=26336 Whether you're completing your bar or looking for additional seating in your kitchen, check out these sustainable bar stools and counter stools.

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If you’re looking to finish your kitchen, bar area, or other seating arrangement with a set of sustainable bar stools (or counter stools) then you’ve come to the right place.

How To Source Sustainable Bar Stools and Counter Stools

I was looking for sustainable counter stools last year because my husband and I’s apartment had a large countertop and no room for a kitchen table. 

We liked how the layout utilized the small space efficiently, making it feel like we had more space than we really did! However it’s not as easy to find beautiful counter stools as it is to find other sorts of dining chairs!

After borrowing my parent’s barstools for a few months, we came across the perfect set of mid-century modern-esque secondhand counter stools from the peer-to-peer resale app OfferUp

There are many ways to source sustainable bar stools or counter stools. And which way is right for you depends on your budget and circumstances!

Secondhand Apps

This option is usually the cheapest, but may require a lot of time searching and picking up the items.

We used OfferUp, because we were on a pretty tight budget, had the ability to wait (since we could borrow my parents’ stools), and weren’t ready to invest in our “forever home” (we don’t know if our future living spaces will require counter stools).

Curated Secondhand Sites

These tend to be the second most affordable option for counter stools, bar stools, or any other piece of furniture. You pay a bit of a premium over something like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace, because the pieces are more curated, the photography is typically way better, and some places may even handle the shipping and logistics for you!

Here are a few to check out:

  • AptDeco: Advertised as the easiest way to shop secondhand furniture, AptDeco provides a professional delivery service, including pickup, delivery, and assembly within the contiguous U.S.
  • Kaiyo: Another online secondhand furniture marketplace that handles the delivery for resellers and shoppers!
  • Chairish: mecca for vintage furniture (typically on the more expensive side)

New Eco-Friendly Bar Stools and Counter Stools

You may want to shop for new sustainable counter stools and bar stools if you don’t have as much time to hunt for treasures on the secondhand market, want to invest in a long-term piece of furniture, or have a very specific set of aesthetic preferences.

You might also look for new eco-friendly counter stool options if you want to make sure your stools are non-toxic, and made without harmful chemicals.

Below are some vetted resources for finding sustainable bar and counter stools! Transparency note: this guide contains affiliate links. As always we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too. 

Our Favorite Places to Find Sustainable Bar Stools & Counter Stools

1. Made Trade

Materials: Recycled Aluminum, Reclaimed Wood, Sustainably-Sourced Wood

Highlights: Durable, Repurposed Materials, Suitable For Outdoors

Price: $460+

Sustainable lifestyle retailer Made Trade has a selection of eco-friendly stools designed to last for lifetimes. Their sustainable bar stools and counter stools from Emeco are made in Pennsylvania from repurposed materials and are designed to commercial-grade standards. Many options are also suitable for use as outdoor furniture!

Eco-friendly white counter stool

2. Maiden Home

Materials: Solid Ash or Oak Wood | Fabric or Leather Upholstery

Highlights: Handmade to Order in North Carolina, Woman-Founded, Solid Wood

Price: $850+

Maiden Home is a women-founded direct-to-consumer furniture brand with some of the most gorgeous earth-minded furniture you’ll find. And that includes their organic, contemporary sustainable bar stools and counter stools that are expertly crafted to order by North Carolina furniture artisans just for you.

Eco-friendly white counter stool

3. Medley

Materials: Domestically Sourced Wood, CertiPUR-US®-certified foam

Highlights: Made-to-Order, Crafted in California, Solid Wood, In-Home Trial

Price: $695

Handcrafted in California to your specifications with quality sustainable materials — like domestic solid alder, walnut, and maple wood — Medley’s sleek modern furniture is as sustainable as it is beautiful. The company has one eco-friendly counter stool available, called the Jasmi Counter Stool as well as other dining chairs.

Wooden sustainable counter stool

4. Greenington

Materials: Solid Moso Bamboo, Some Leather Upholstery

Highlights: Tree-Free, Ergonomic Design

Price: $630+

Greenington is among the most popular sustainable furniture brands for a reason. As a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Greenington uses 100% solid Moso bamboo for their furniture — a material they claim is 20% harder than red oak. They offer eco-friendly counter stools and bar stools in a stunning variety of finishes.

Ethical wooden counter and bar stool

5. VivaTerra

Materials: Teak Wood, Banana Bark,, Repurposed and Reclaimed Wood

Highlights: Natural and Recycled Materials, Artisan Handmade

Price: $379+

Green lifestyle online retailer VivaTerra has plenty of sustainable stools, including bar stools, counter stools, bathroom stools, accent stools, and garden stools. You can even find a full kitchen island set or repurposed barrel bar set, each complete with two stools. Check out the product icons to see each item’s sustainability qualities.

Sustainable metallic bar and counter stool

6. Pottery Barn

Materials: Reclaimed Wood, Recycled Aluminum, Recycled Plastic 

Highlights: Expertly Crafted, Natural and Repurposed Materials

Price: $159+

Furniture brand Pottery Barn has recently been expanding their sustainably sourced collection, so you may just find your new eco-friendly bar and counter stools there. Their collection features stools made from reclaimed and recycled materials in a range of aesthetics, from farmhouse chic to mid-century modern.

Aesthetic sustainable bar stool

7. West Elm

Materials: Sustainably-Sourced Wood

Highlights: Quality Products, Use of Some Responsible Materials

Price: $219

Another larger furniture retailer with a sustainably sourced collection is West Elm. Their selection is a bit smaller, but you can still find an eco-friendly bar stool / counter stool made from FSC-Certified wood from responsibly managed forests or contract-grade mango wood sourced from trees that no longer produce fruits.

Sustainable bar and counter stool

Looking to complete your eco space?

Check out our full guide to sustainable furniture brands and our guide to non-toxic furniture brands.

Pin this sustainable stools guide for later:

7 Sustainable Bar & Counter Stool Brands - Conscious Life and Style
7 Sustainable Bar & Counter Stools - Conscious Life and Style

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18 New Year’s Resolutions to Help You Welcome 2024 in Conscious Style https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-fashion-resolutions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainable-fashion-resolutions https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/sustainable-fashion-resolutions/#respond Fri, 01 Dec 2023 18:36:18 +0000 https://www.consciouslifeandstyle.com/?p=18942 This list of sustainable fashion new year's resolutions is here to help us continue to heal our relationship with fashion, create meaningful connections with our wardrobe, and advocate for a fairer fashion future.

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Just like that, another year is drawing to a close. For me, the end of a year always feels like a time for reflection, celebration, and intention setting as we all make space to welcome a new chapter.

Whether you believe in New Year’s resolutions or not, it is always a good idea to start a new year with a sense of intention, because it helps you stay committed to yourself and the movements that you care about.

So, in the spirit of looking back on the year past, and setting intentions for the year to come, we thought we’d share a few ideas to keep in the back of your head as you enter another year of your conscious style journey.

These resolutions are not about prescribing how your slow fashion journey should look. Rather, this list illustrates that slow fashion looks different for everyone, which is something we should celebrate.

1.    Do a closet audit

The start of a new year is the perfect time to deep dive into your closet, reorganize, and take stock of the clothing you already have by doing a closet audit. This can also help you rediscover pieces that may have been tucked away for a while. While you are reorganizing your closet, try to arrange it seasonally, so that when you come back the next season, it really feels like you are discovering something new. Doing a closet audit will also help you be more intentional in your purchases since you have a clearer idea of what you have and what you may still want to add to your wardrobe. You can use this very helpful guide, created by Alyssa Beltempo, to help you get started with your closet audit.

Closet Audit for a conscious style

2.    Try a ‘no new clothes’ challenge

Challenge yourself to not buy anything new for a set amount of time. Some people do it for a year, but it could also be shorter. By removing yourself from the endless cycle of consumption that defines the fast fashion industry, you can take a step back and heal your relationship with fashion while redefining what “enough” means to you, getting creative with what you already have, and saving time and money!

Woman in fashion - no new clothes challenge

3.    Shop your closet

You know how the saying goes: The most sustainable garments are the ones you already own. Challenge yourself to get creative and make new outfit combinations using clothing you already own. This also helps you gain a deeper understanding of your personal style. To get started, you can channel sustainable wardrobe stylist, Alyssa Beltempo’s, ethos of ‘more creativity, less consumption’ and check out her YouTube channel for inspiration on how you can incorporate this into your own life. You can even try using an app, like Whering or the Stylebook, to help you create new looks from your old wardrobe.

Women shopping her closet for a conscious style

4.    Keep wearing (and loving) your old fast fashion pieces

Actively working through your eco-guilt by continuing to wear – and love! – the fast fashion pieces you bought in the past is an important step in your slow fashion journey. Everybody has old fast fashion pieces in their closet. Getting rid of them creates unnecessary waste and perpetuates the idea that slow fashion has to look a specific way. The best thing you can do is keep them, find ways to love them, wear them, mend them, and make them last as long as you possibly can.

Women wearing her old fast fashion pieces for a conscious style

5.    Become a proud outfit repeater

Despite what social media will have us believe, there is so much joy in outfit repeating! Normalizing outfit repeating is so important for changing the mentality that we always need to be wearing something new. So, repeat the outfits that make you feel good and wear them with pride. This doesn’t mean that you have to wear the same outfit every day, but maybe you can play around with different ways of styling your garments and accessories. If you want to find some inspiration, follow the hashtags #proudoutfitrepeater#rewearthat, and #reweardontcare.

A proud outfit repeater for a conscious style

6.    Normalize borrowing clothing from friends and family

If you are going to an event or have been eyeing that dress in your friend’s closet every time they wear it, why not ask if you can borrow it for a little bit? You can even offer to return the favor and ask them if there is anything in your wardrobe that they have been eyeing. You’re saving money, keeping impulse buys at bay, and it really does give you the same rush as trying on a brand-new garment.

Friends and family swapping clothing for a conscious style

7.    Swap before you shop

Clothing swaps are a form of circular fashion because they allow us to extend the lifespans of clothing that is already in circulation while satisfying our desire for novelty. Swapping allows you to switch up your wardrobe, without buying anything new, and it’s usually very cost-effective. If you are looking for a few tips for attending a clothing swap, or for how to host a swap of your own, check out this article. If you’d like to give online swapping a try, take a look at Swap Society (US), Nuw (UK), or The Fashion Pulpit (Singapore).

Swapping fashion pieces for a conscious style

8.    Shop secondhand

If you are looking to add some new-to-you pieces to your wardrobe, consider shopping secondhand. Buying secondhand clothing, instead of new pieces, extends the lifespan of that garment and saves it from going to waste, which is an important aspect of circular fashion. Have a browse through your local secondhand markets, thrift stores, or consignment shops.  If you’d prefer to browse online, there are loads of online secondhand stores where you can shop – and sell – preloved fashion.

Women thrifting for a conscious style

9.    Give rental a try

Special occasions often lead to impulse buys that are worn once or twice and then end up collecting dust in the back of the closet or going to waste. If you are looking for an outfit for a special occasion or event, and nothing in your wardrobe is inspiring you, you can give clothing rental a try. Generally, peer-to-peer rental platforms are more sustainable models. A few platforms to look into include ByRotation, Tulerie, and Wardrobe.

Women trying on rental for a sustainable style

10. Learn to mend and repair

Whether you are into visible or invisible mending, learning to mend and repair are slow fashion skills that allow us to define ourselves as more than just consumers and help us wear our loved clothes for longer. If you want to learn to mend, there are some insightful channels on YouTube with tutorials that go right back to the basics, such as The Essentials Club and Repair What You Wear. Another useful resource is The Fixing Fashion Academy by Fixing Fashion, which is a free, open-source platform with tutorials on how to repair and upcycle clothes. Or, if you don’t have the time to learn, you can consider making use of a local, small mending or tailoring business that can repair your clothes for you.

Women mending and repairing pieces

11. Start a DIY project

This could be anything from beading a necklace or learning how to use natural dyes, to figuring out how to crochet or making a scrunchie. Working with your hands is not only a great way to practice mindfulness, but it also brings you closer to the process of making and fosters a greater sense of appreciation for the effort and energy that goes into making the clothes and accessories that we wear. When you pour love and care into making something of your own, it starts to undo the culture of disposability that we have all been encouraged to take on.

Sewing kit

12. Learn how to take care of your clothing, sustainably

Caring for your clothes properly will make them last longer, which is such a win! Firstly, take the time to read the care labels on your clothing to make sure that you are properly taking care of them. But also, learn how to adjust your clothing care routine so that it is as sustainable as possible. This includes washing your clothes less, at lower temperatures, and trying to use eco-friendly detergents. If you are feeling a little bit lost about where to start, check out this Conscious Life & Style guide on how to take care of your clothes sustainably.

Taking care of clothes sustainably

13. Unsubscribe from fast fashion newsletters and unfollow accounts

This one should only take a few minutes to act on, but it is such an important step on your journey of hopping off the hamster wheel of fast fashion and overconsumption. We are constantly being bombarded with adverts and marketing campaigns that are trying their very best to convince us to buy more and more, at every turn – even in our email inboxes and social media. So, take some time to reassess the accounts you follow and go through your email inbox, and click unsubscribe on all those newsletters and promotional content that does not align with your values.

Women on phone

14. Follow the ethos of ‘fewer better things’

If you are shopping less, by prioritizing practices like swapping, borrowing, mending, and getting creative with what you already have, it means that you can choose to save up and invest in conscious fashion brands that are leading by example and showing us what a more just future of fashion could look like. If you are looking for inspiration on brands to support and invest in, take a look at Conscious Fashion Collective’s directory of brands and Conscious Life & Style’s ultimate ethical brand list.

15. Invest in BIPOC-owned businesses

We should all be making a conscious effort to invest in, celebrate, and support BIPOC-owned businesses. Investing in BIPOC-owned businesses supports the dreams, joy, and livelihoods of these business owners and everyone involved in their supply chain, and is one simple way of extending your activism offline. Check out this Conscious Life & Style list of over 100 Black-owned, sustainable, and ethical fashion home, and beauty brands. You can also take a look at this Conscious Fashion Collective list of sustainable and ethical BIPOC-owned brands.

BIPOC-owned businesses for a sustainable style

16. Become a fashion activist

Learning about ways to extend your slow fashion advocacy beyond just the clothes you wear is a powerful step, because it allows you to participate in collective action and larger reform in the fashion industry. Signing a petition, emailing a brand, posting on social media, or getting involved in a support advocacy group are a few great ways to extend your impact and become a fashion activist. If you want to learn more about how to start your journey as a fashion activist, check out this article.

Fashion Activists

17. Support or join a grassroots organization

Working towards a more just, sustainable, and inclusive fashion industry means that we need to support organizations who are doing amazing work, on the ground, to create systemic change. A few nonprofits advocating for a better fashion future include Remake, The OR Foundation, Fashion Revolution, and Fibershed. If you have the capacity, you can look into ways to support the work of these organizations in financial and non-financial ways.

18. Continue to educate yourself

Life is one continuous learning journey, and this applies to the slow fashion space too. The issues – and solutions – in the fashion industry are complex and nuanced, so there is always something to learn or something we can dive deeper into. Continuing to educate yourself will make you feel more committed to your slow fashion journey and allow you to share your learnings with others too. If you are unsure about where to start, check out this compilation of free educational resources to learn about sustainable fashion – it includes everything from courses and podcasts, to YouTube channels, and newsletters.

Women sitting on books

________

The hope is that we will all continue to 2024 heal our relationship with fashion, work on creating more meaningful connections with our clothes, support organizations and brands that are using fashion as a force for good, and advocate for a fashion future that is premised on justice, inclusivity, and intersectional sustainability.

Wishing you a gentle new year that starts with ease and in conscious style!

About the Author

Stella Hertantyo is a slow fashion and slow living enthusiast based in Cape Town, South Africa. Stella finds solace in words as a medium for sharing ideas and encouraging a cultural shift that welcomes systems change and deepens our collective connection to the world around us. She is passionate about encouraging an approach to sustainability, and social and environmental justice, that is inclusive, intersectional, accessible, and fun.

Stella holds a B.A. Multimedia Journalism from the University of Cape Town, and a PGDip in Sustainable Development from the Sustainability Institute. She currently works as a writer, editor, and social media manager. When she is not in front of her laptop, a dip in the ocean, or a walk in the mountains, are the two things that bring her the most peace.

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