Minutes with Meg: Furnishing Forward

Sustainable Materials

Choosing sustainable materials can
make all the difference when buying new
or used furniture. The best it to find strong
materials that are able to handle years of
use. Here are a few options to look into!

If you’re anything like me, budget conscious or a frequent mover, buying furniture that lasts isn’t always the most feasible option. We all love a good Ikea find; however, particle board furniture
isn’t exactly built to last. Making sustainable furniture choices doesn’t need to break the bank. Here are some options to think about when determining what you will be putting into your home.

Wood

• Cannot be recycled as easily as other materials
• It is longer lasting and can be sourced locally
• Look for the FCS (Forest Stewardship Council) label to discover if the wood you are buying is following the local laws and with respect of indigenous peoples

Bamboo

• One of the smartest, eco-friendliest furniture choices available when it comes to wood
• It can grow 18-47 inches in a 24 hour time span
• Releases 35% more oxygen than forest trees
• Durable- stronger than steel​

Rattan

• Especially durable when woven
• Slow to wear and tear
• Grows much like bamboo

Metal

• Manufacturing is not green- requiring a lot of electricity
• Can easily be recycled
• Durable
• Look for furniture made of recycled content

Stain Resistant

• ​Often contains PFC’s (perfluorochemicals)
• Linked to tumor growth, reproductive problems and changes in liver and thyroid function.
• Look for GREENGUARD certified products-signify low chemical emissions.

Flame Retardant

• Foam inside furniture is often doused with flame retardant.
• Flame retardants have been found ineffective in preventing furniture fires.
• Can lead to reproductive issues, cancer, and obesity.
• Look for TB117-2013 tag and furniture free of flame retardants.

Toxic Chemicals to Avoid

Toxic chemicals in furniture can be very harmful to the human body. They usually are unable to be recycled which, in-turn, makes the furniture less sustainable VOC’s

• Used in things like paint, leather treatments, upholstery, plywood and pressed wood products.
• Slowly released in home building up toxic levels.
• Exposure can cause allergies, respiratory irritation, developmental and reproductive issues, neurological effects.
• Look for low VOC paints and stains.

Buying Pre-owned or Repurposing Furniture

      Some people may be turned off to buying pre-owned furniture. However, if you look on
Facebook market-place, or resale websites, it’s not too difficult to find a diamond in the rough. It's good to find pieces that are durable and will last years down the line. So make sure to get a good look at furniture pieces before buying them. It is also good to look for the wear and tear and determine if it can be refurbished or repurposed.
    On the plus side, giving a piece of furniture a new home is a sustainable way of shopping. It also can be less harmful, as furniture that has been around for longer has had a chance to off-gas and will release less toxic chemicals into the air in your home. 

It also can be more affordable, and who doesn’t want affordable furniture that can stand the test of time?
I hope in your journey in furnishing forward you are able to apply some of these sustainable practices to each piece! 
Until next time, that's Minutes with Meg! 

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https://www.custommade.com/blog/sustainable-furniture/
https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/kennett-chair?epik=dj0yJnU9RENfd00ydW9majljUFppRGZPanhxVW9iZDU2ZnhaSHUmcD0wJm49cDQ5amFSREI3Y3NmU29YT1hqZDZuUSZ0PUFBQUFBRi1pM2JJ&color=018&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/868499535/hand-painted-abstract-oil-painting-art?epik=dj0yJnU9ZjlwVUNBY09wSUs2YUE4V2ROQzhIcnJ2a1l1T1UyTXImcD0wJm49eXV2WE5lYUJHb1NwSmg3bVRESG5MQSZ0PUFBQUFBRi1pM1Bz
https://www.shadesoflight.com/products/lorelei-dining-chair?sku=XU18142+++LW
​https://www.birchlane.com/--Newport-Upholstered-Canopy-Bed-01092-L12-K~JMM1156.html?&PiID%5B%5D=29609770&PiID%5B%5D=29609773&refid=PINSH422-jmm1156_29609770_29609773&costid=PINSH422&pin_campaign=626741473492&pin_adgroup=2680064951706&pin_productgroup=4260607602275&device=desktop