5 Common Misconceptions About Sustainable Furniture

Sustainable furniture is the industry’s response to the growing threats of climate change. These furniture pieces produce very little carbon emission, as their manufacturing process and recycling process has been efficiently optimized to create as little carbon emission as possible. 

That said, as a consumer, it can be quite difficult to tell which furniture piece is sustainable and which isn’t. Worse, there are still many misconceptions about these pieces that can potentially harm your decisions. Here are some of the most popular misconceptions. We were actually inspired to write this guide after reading Interiorbeat’s detailed article on how to buy a sustainable sofa – many of the points from that article apply to other types of furniture, so you might want to have a closer look at it. 

Wooden furniture is the most sustainable choice

Wooden furniture pieces are certainly some of the most sustainably-made pieces around, but the degree of sustainability varies between the pieces. Hardwood furniture is not sustainable, as these pieces require a lot of wood, so many trees have to be cut down to create them. Thus, you might want to avoid buying these pieces if you wish to reduce your own carbon footprints. 

Wooden furniture made from veneer is the best choice for those seeking sustainable options. These pieces require much less wood, so there will be fewer chopped-down trees. Other great options include MDF furniture pieces and pieces made from chipboards. 

Aluminium furniture is to be avoided

Aluminium generally receives a lot of hate in the industry, supposedly because of its being an unsustainable material. This, however, is not always true. Many companies are starting to use recycled aluminium instead of using new materials, which is a much more sustainable alternative. Recycled aluminium may come from old furniture pieces that are no longer being used. This means that if you buy recycled aluminium, you will also support a circular economy, which is much healthier and more sustainable than fast furniture. 

Aluminium furniture is also considerably cheaper than other options, so you will be able to save up a lot of your own money as well. Plus, these pieces are quite durable and flexible at the same time, which means that you will not have to replace them regularly.

Sustainable furniture is not very durable

One of the most important elements of sustainable furniture is durability. Fragile furniture is prone to failure and breakage, and when these pieces break down, you will have to buy replacements. This will not only cost you a fortune but will also drastically increase your carbon footprint. This is why most sustainable furniture pieces are made to last for years. You will not have to constantly replace them, reducing your own carbon footprints.

Sustainable furniture does not look good

While the look is a subjective factor, it is just wrong to assume that all sustainable furniture pieces are too simplistic or too ugly. Some sustainable pieces employ new materials such as bamboo or hemp, which adorn the pieces with a refreshing and invigorating look. Wooden sustainable furniture pieces are often very chic and modern, making them the perfect adornments for a modern living space. 

Eco-labels are awarded by biased parties

Eco-labels are one good way to tell whether a furniture piece is sustainable or not. Most eco-labels are awarded by independent organizations with very few ties with the companies manufacturing the furniture. For this reason, there is very little bias in the selection process. These organizations will also vet all the processes at the companies very carefully to make sure that eco-labels are only awarded to worthy recipients. 

Buying sustainable furniture can be quite a complicated process, especially if you don’t know a lot about the processes behind a product. The best thing you can do is to keep yourself informed and avoid these misconceptions. This will help you to make a better decision when it comes to sustainable furniture.

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