7 Non-Toxic Furniture Brands for Eco-friendly Homes
There is something intensely satisfying about buying furniture for your home.
You get to choose the style, how it fits and looks in a room, even the comfort level – it’s one of the most enjoyable ‘grown-up’ decisions that you can make.
Yet not all furniture is created equally when it comes to the environment and to our own health.
When we’re shopping for a new sofa we might need to look less at style and more about what it’s made of, and how potentially dangerous this could be.
This furniture guide is exploring the environmental and health impacts of materials used to make furniture and features four non-toxic furniture brands to consider when furnishing your home.
Is Furniture Toxic?
Toxic is a strong word but does our furniture contain potentially dangerous chemicals that are then being transferred to us?
Yes. The way that furniture is made isn’t as well-regulated as you might think, and it’s much less natural.
One of the biggest issues are compounds known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs).
These can be released by our furniture through a process known as off-gassing. It’s what causes the ‘new’ smell from furniture.
The more we use a particular piece of furniture, the worse it is, as our body heat causes more compounds to turn to gas.
While furniture will release fewer VOCs over time, it can still last for a long time after the smell disappears.
While we breathe this in, this isn’t the only danger these chemicals pose.
What’s much worse is that they can then be found in our household dust, which gets on every surface, and can then be easily ingested by us, our children, or our pets.
Dangerous Chemicals Found in Furniture
Unfortunately, there are a lot more chemicals used in furniture production than you might think. Here is a list of four of the most common ones and why they should be avoided.
Formaldehyde in Furniture
Where is formaldehyde found? Pressed-wood products like particleboard and plywood. It can also be found in glues and adhesives, as well as some fabrics.
Why is formaldehyde dangerous? Formaldehyde is colorless but strong smelling and has been linked to dry, itchy throats, coughing, red and sore eyes, and asthma. The EPA class formaldehyde as a human carcinogen, although other studies claim that the risk of cancer is low, even after long exposure.
Phthalates in Home Goods
Where is are phthalates found in the home? There are many different types of phthalates and they are known as plasticizers. They can be found in carpet backing, shower curtains, upholstery, tablecloths, and floor tiles.
Why are phthalates dangerous? Common in many products such as deodorants, eco-friendly products are now phthalate-free due to the damage they can cause. Exposure to phthalates can disrupt testosterone production.
Vinyl Acetate in Furniture
Where is vinyl acetate found? You’ll find vinyl acetate in polyvinyl products but also in paint and lacquers, films on furniture, as well as some adhesives, such as when it is used to put linoleum down.
Why is vinyl acetate dangerous? It’s not classified as a carcinogen, but there have been reports of respiratory difficulty, inflammation, and coughing.
Flame Retardants in Furniture
Where are flame retardants found? Most of your furniture will have chemical flame retardants, particularly mattresses and sofas.
Why is it dangerous? Furniture that contains foam is usually doused in flame retardants. There are many different chemical combinations used and unfortunately, these can be particularly dangerous. Flame retardants are known to cause lung, heart, and eye problems.
How to Protect Yourself from Toxins in Furniture
No one is expected to immediately change all of the fixtures and fittings in their house to non-toxic furniture. It’s just not practical, or necessary.
While of concern, there are things that you can do to lessen the impact that chemicals in your furniture have.
Having a plant in the house is not only a great mood booster and source of oxygen, studies have shown that they can actually remove toxins from the air. Do your research and choose a plant known for these qualities.
Make sure you have good ventilation. Having plenty of fresh air is always going to minimize the build-up of chemicals in a room. Open windows regularly and air out the house whenever you can. If you have a new piece of furniture, put it in a well-ventilated room or even a shed for a few days as it will off-gas most at this stage.
Baking soda is already a well-known odor catcher, but it does the same for VOCs. Sprinkling it on your carpet, leaving for a while, and then hoovering it can remove VOCs. If nothing else, it will help to get rid of the ‘chemical’ smell.
5 Eco-friendly Furniture Brands to Explore
Of course, the best way to protect yourself from these toxins is to invest in non-toxic furniture when you are next ready to buy something new.
If you are looking for some pieces for your home, here are four of my favorite brands that provide eco-friendly furniture.
*This post contains some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer receives a commission from your purchase, however, this is at no additional cost to you! :)
If you choose to make a purchase we appreciate your support. The commissions allow us to keep the website up as a free resource for conscious consumers.
MEDLEY’S MADE TO ORDER NON-TOxic Furniture
Medley is a made to order furniture brand sustainably crafting their products in California.
Medley works with local craftspeople who bring every piece to life by hand and with special expertise, continuing a time-honored practice built on skill, patience, and creativity that produces long-lasting, beautiful furniture.
Sustainable shoppers will find dining tables, couches, bed frames, accent chairs, dressers, and more.
Medley uses a range of sustainable materials including wood from FSC-certified forests, bamboo, jute, organic cotton, and more.
Their furniture is free of harsh chemicals and fire retardants.
This non-toxic furniture brand also plants three trees for every one tree used with their partnership with the National Forest Foundation.
Healthier Homes Safer Furniture for a Non-Toxic Home
Healthier Homes is a one stop shop for creating a non-toxic home.
This family owned company offers natural furnishings, organic décor, nontoxic paint, & all things healthier home.
Shop their furniture selection featuring natural wood tables, outdoor furniture, organization, rugs, & more.
Use the discount code HONEST for 10% off your Healthier Homes order!
Savvy Rest: Safe Alternatives to Toxic Furniture
Savvy Rest started out providing organic mattresses but has since branched out to other non-toxic furniture, including sofas, chairs, tables, and benches.
Savvy Rest organic sofas contain NO flame retardants, formaldehyde glues, metal coils, particle board, plywood, polyester, or down.
Along with their couches, Savvy Rest natural platform beds are ethically made in the USA with sustainably-sourced hardwood and traditional construction mean our beds are built to last for generations.
Customers can choose from a variety of zero-VOC finishes, hand-rubbed linseed oil, or natural unfinished wood. NO toxic finishes or glues are used.
These are just a few examples of Savvy Rest’s wide range of furniture.
Avocado Mattress: Natural Wood Furniture with Non-Toxic Finishes
While best known for their mattresses, Avocado Mattress has expanded to offering sustainable furniture.
This non-toxic furniture brand is determined to maintain environmentally conscious, ethical, and sustainable business practices.
They manage every part of the production of their organic, natural mattresses, from the wool to the latex – owning the farms that they come from and ensuring that they are both sustainable and ethically sourced.
Along with the mattresses customers can shop bed frames, dressers, night stands, and dog beds.
All of their furniture is ethically made in Los Angeles, where this brand focuses on traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology.
You won’t find any nasty, VOC-emitting (volatile organic compound) glues or finishes in Avocado Mattress furniture.
Made Trade: Ethically Made Furniture
Made Trade is a curated online marketplace for exceptionally designed, ethically made goods. This conscious marketplace carries a variety of different furniture brands. Shop natural wood nightstands, eco-friendly beds, dining tables, and more.
SABAI’S Sofas & Chairs Made with Recycled Materials
Sabai has modern designed sofas and chairs available in 8 different colors.
Sabai believes in closed-loop solutions and that’s why their furniture is made from upcycled water bottles or recycled velvet.
Untreated fabric is used for their sofas which are certified recycled velvet with OEKO-TEX Standard and the Global Recycling Standard.
The colors of the upholstery are very attractive and a choice between dark or light legs is available.
They also offer replacement components like slipcovers, back pillow covers, seat cushion covers, and furniture legs.
Their furniture is made in a family-owned factory in High Point, North Carolina committed to quality, safety, and a living wage. Use the code HONEST50 for $50 off.
Viva Terra: Eco-friendly Furniture
VivaTerra is an online shop dedicated to bringing an eco-friendly lifestyle to every part of your home decor, furniture, and more.
While Viva Terra carries a wide range of furniture from suppliers with different values there are plenty of non-toxic pieces.
Sustainable furniture shoppers will be able to shop for furniture by value such as reclaimed wood furniture, made in the USA, made with recycled materials, all natural, and more.
Shop for coffee tables, shelving, outdoor furniture, mirrors, end tables, office furniture, bed frames, and more.
Hopefully, you’ve now learned a little about how standard furniture is made, what chemicals to avoid, and what to look out for when shopping for non-toxic furniture.
Plus, if you’re looking for sustainable ways to get rid of your old furniture, be sure to check out this guide.
For more ethical & sustainable fashion tips be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.