As we move towards living more sustainable lifestyles, we should also start looking into the furniture we bring into our homes. They’re often a big expense in the household and we use these items the most so it only makes sense to consider this.
If you’ve been meaning to make your home more sustainable but don’t know where to start, here are some furniture suggestions that will make the biggest difference.
1. Natural Organic Mattress
You spend a third of your life sleeping which means you’re greatly exposed to whatever material your mattress is made of. It’s important that you look into the materials of your mattress. The average bedding, especially those that are made with synthetic latex and vinyl, contain toxic chemicals that are dangerous to your health. Sure, they may be cheap but is the money saved worth the cost of your health?
Organic mattresses made of natural materials are a bit more expensive but not only are they better for your health, they also last longer. This means less need to replace it every few years. The best part is natural organic mattresses are made with recyclable materials so you don’t have to worry about it living in landfills for a hundred years.
2. Houseplants
Houseplants are in and for good reason. They’re aesthetically pleasing and they improve the air quality in your home. They soak up the harmful toxins and pollutants that are not visible to the naked eye. Instead of buying an air purifier, which uses up energy, consider adding an indoor plant or two in every room in your home.
3. Thermal Products
Are your energy bills running high every month? If so, your insulation could be the culprit. For this, you can invest in thermal products such as curtains and windows which do a better job at keeping hot or cold air in. It’s upfront expense is a bit high to have these installed but the amount of money you save in electricity will add up in the long run.
4. Quality Wood Table
Not all wood is created equal. There are actually better choices than others. This matters the most for items like your dining table where there’s a chance you might ingest compounds from the surface you’re eating in.
You want to make sure that it’s made out of high quality wood that’s been sustainable sourced. Don’t support manufacturers that contribute to the deforestation epidemic. The material should solid wood and not just particle board which is what manufacturers often use so they can afford producing cheap “wood” furniture. The same rule also applies to other wooden furniture in your home like your chairs, cabinets, side tables, etc. You should always consider solid wood when purchasing dining tables so that they will last generations to come.
Like all quality materials, solid wood will be a bit more expensive but it’s more durable and easy to repair. You can always opt for acacia, mango, teak, and pine which are still solid wood options that are less expensive.
5. Vintage Furniture
With all the sustainable furniture options in the market right now, it’s easy to forget that the most eco-friendly option you can make is to buy second hand furniture instead of a brand new one. Thankfully, there are plenty of deals you can find in the vintage market, and they too are often made with better quality materials than the newer furniture we have today.
Visit your local charity store or look up places like Facebook marketplace to see if you can find pre-owned furniture that you need. There’s a learning curve to distinguishing quality-made furniture from the poor ones, but over time, you’ll get good at it, and there might not even be a need to ever buy brand new furniture in the future anymore.
Which of these items are you planning to get first? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
