After Moving: Finding Green Furniture

Green by jinkazamah (CC BY 2.0)

Moving sometimes means donating furniture in order to lighten your load while moving. The only problem then is not having furniture in your new home. Since you’re already set on leading a green life, it’s time to find some green furniture to suit your green home. Furniture is difficult to find especially green furniture, because it not only has to fit the space of your home after moving, but be a good fit for you! So here’s some tips to finding green furniture.

Reuse Green Furniture 

green furniture
Green Furniture: Vintage Headboard Reupholstered (photo by: frenchfinds.co.uk)

Consider finding something vintage that has been upcycled  or find a local shop that reupholsters old used furniture. Green furniture can be just reusing what is already made. While it might not be recyclable or technically green furniture, as it is already made and produced, it is best to make use of what is already here. Upcycling your vintage furniture which makes it green furniture.

Vintage and antiques are a great green furniture piece as a factor to green furniture is longevity. Green furniture isn’t really green if it only lasts for a while, before being needed to be replaced or broken down again which makes antiques or vintage pieces of furniture green. (Not to mention that vintage sells for retail value if you’re ever willing to let the green furniture go!)

Eco-friendly Materials for Green Furniture

Another option for finding green furniture is purchasing green furniture that is made with eco-friendly materials.

  • One of the easiest options is looking for FSC certified wood. It is a sustainable wood that has been harvested responsibly from sustainable forests.
  • Another option is bamboo products. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that is widely used by green conscious manufacturers and designers. It regrows very quickly which makes it a great resource for green materials.
  • Reclaimed wood is also a great resource. When treated right, wood can last quite long, and as such, many designers create green furniture from the wood of old houses, buildings, and bridges.
  • Buy furniture made from other recycled material. Plastics and metals and other such materials are technically recyclable which makes them another option for green furniture.
reclaimed table and bench
Green Furniture: Reclaimed Table and Bench (photo by: Jamiriquai)

Other Green Furniture Factors

green furniture
(photo by: goatling)

It is not enough for green furniture to be made from green materials. It’s important to consider other factors such as durability and dis-assembly. If a piece of furniture can’t be broken down or has to be replaced in a only a few years, consider a different piece of furniture. Also check if there are any local shops that reupholster furniture or any second-hand furniture stores. Buying locally supports the local economy and it cuts down on unfriendly environmental transporation costs. How’s that for green furniture?

And in general when furniture shopping, take time and don’t rush. Look for the best deal, and the green furniture that suits you and your home perfectly. Also remember to always test out the furniture before purchasing it. After all, this piece of green furniture is going to become a part of your daily life.

With all these tips in mind, go out there and find the picture piece of green furniture for you. If you find any awesome pieces of green furniture, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!