Upcycling, zero waste, recycling ─ the topic of sustainability is also a trending topic in the interior industry in 2020. “Less, but better!” ─ is the motto for living. Designers and manufacturers, too, have mastered the order of the day and create sustainable furniture that is anything but boring. Sustainable furniture, yes, but with style, please! That inspires us, our interior experts, and interior design fans all over the world. We’ll tell you which criteria sustainable furniture has to meet and show you how stylish sustainability can be!
What is sustainable furniture?
It sounds almost too easy, but just by buying sustainable furniture, you can visit a great furniture trading company we can do something good for the environment. Provided that they meet certain criteria. In addition to sustainable production processes, when it comes to sustainable furniture, great importance is attached to the conservation of resources and the use of renewable raw materials. Sustainability stands for a conscious approach to people, nature, and the environment and is made up of ecological, economic, and social aspects. Our favorite brands prove again and again that the furniture can still look absolutely stylish.nd social aspects. Our favorite brands prove again and again that the furniture can still look absolutely stylish.
Sustainable furniture in the baby room and children’s room
Let your child grow up in a room full of pollutants? No thanks! This is precisely why you should avoid using toxic paints and the like and, ideally, opt for sustainable, pollution-free furniture made from natural solid wood. Quality is extremely important here, especially for beds. The surfaces should be treated naturally, such as with wax or natural oils. Furniture that grows with the child and can be used for longer is also practical and extremely sustainable in the baby’s room.
Sustainable furniture from Mater
High quality, produced under ethical conditions, and a timeless design? This is the Danish design brand Mater! Sustainability and environmental awareness in production are top priorities for them, as is social responsibility. In German, this means that “Mater” is the Latin word for mother and is intended to remind of the contribution to the protection of “Mother Earth”. At Westwing, we are big fans of the Mater philosophy.
Sustainable furniture should meet these criteria
In principle, sustainable furniture cannot prevent climate change, but at least it can prevent daily consumption. After all, we live in a society that constantly strives for optimization and is overloaded with advertising. Offers are a dime a dozen. Fatal, at least for the climate! Did you know that the negative effects on our environment mainly occur in the production phase? According to the Federal Environment Agency, above all, we can do something good for the environment by increasing the useful life of the product. In other words: Sustainable furniture is the first step, but using it for a long time or giving it away for further use is the second! In order for it to be really ecological furniture, the pieces of jewelry must meet a number of criteria. We’ll reveal which ones!
Use of sustainable materials
The cycle begins with natural materials! Many brands and manufacturers sometimes even use substances that are not genetically modified. Furniture is only available here made of solid wood, which comes from sustainably managed European forests. With materials such as stone, FSC-certified wood felt or cork from the clothing industry, and cane, sustainable furniture has a long life ahead of it.
Fair production processes
Nature and people are the focus here! The materials from which sustainable furniture is made usually come from ecologically grown and environmentally friendly wood. And the production of the interior pieces should also take place under fair working conditions. Bypassing on knowledge and know-how to smaller producers, manufacturers protect their cultural heritage and create new jobs.
Short transport routes
Mango wood from overseas? Nice, but probably not the most environmentally friendly material. Look for locally grown materials in the product details. This usually guarantees short transport routes and less CO2 production.