5 Essential Tips For Buying Sustainable Furniture
In recent years, the sustainable fashion movement has exploded, with more consumers demanding change from fast fashion brands. Now, savvy shoppers are turning their attention to another critical area: the furniture industry.
In the UK alone, 22 million pieces of furniture are discarded every year, with most ending up in landfill. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Say goodbye to mass produced, disposable furniture and hello to the circular economy.
Here’s the only guide you need to fill your home with truly sustainable furniture.
1. Look for furniture designed for durability
Fast furniture is characterised by its rapid production cycle, affordability, and trend-driven designs. However, this convenience comes at a significant environmental cost. The materials used in fast furniture are typically low-quality, leading to shorter lifespans for the products. When shopping for sustainable furniture, durability is one of the most important elements to consider.
Look out for furniture that will stand the test of time both in style and functionality. So how do you know if a piece of furniture will be durable? Here are the three key areas you should keep in mind.
- Materials - prioritise high quality materials such as real wood, metal and natural fibres like organic cotton and linen.
- Construction - pay attention to the joinery and the overall assembly of the piece.
- Craftsmanship - avoid furniture that relies heavily on nails, staples, or glue, as these methods are less durable and more likely to fail over time.
2. Shop furniture made from sustainable materials
Prioritising sustainable materials not only improves the longevity of furniture but also reduces the environmental impact. Here’s our tips on what to look out for.
When it comes to wood, opt for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood or reclaimed wood. FSC certification guarantees that the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Reclaimed wood reduces waste through circularity.
For upholstery, choose organic cotton, linen, hemp, or wool. These natural fibres are biodegradable and typically grown without harmful chemicals, making them better for both the environment and your home.
Avoid furniture made from particle board. While particle board is cheap and widely used, it’s made from wood fibres bonded with resins that often contain formaldehyde, a harmful chemical. Particle board is not durable and is prone to damage. Combined with the fact it’s generally not recyclable, this is the kind of material that should be avoided when shopping for sustainable furniture.
3. Buy second hand furniture
Circularity is the key to truly sustainable furniture. By focusing on extending the life cycle of existing products, we maximise their value for both people and the planet.
When you buy pre-loved furniture, you're giving a new lease of life to pieces that still have plenty of use left. This means that the resources invested in creating the furniture are fully utilised, reducing the need for new raw materials and lowering the environmental impact of producing new items.
There are so many second-hand treasures available if you know where to look. Check out Zenki Loop to shop amazing pre-loved furniture that’s been cleaned, refurbished, and is ready to find a new home.
4. Buy furniture that can be reused or recycled
Ultimately, the goal when buying sustainable furniture is to ensure it never ends up in landfill. Products should be designed with the end-of-life phase in mind, allowing materials to seamlessly re-enter the production cycle.
A great option is to choose furniture designed for easy disassembly. This means it can be taken apart effortlessly at the end of its life cycle. By following circular design principles, the individual components can be reused, recycled, or repaired, keeping the entire piece out of the landfill.
However, finding products designed for disassembly can be tricky. Here at Zenkki, we work with brands such as HÅG and Swyft, known for their modular approach and longevity. We also offer a buy-back scheme. Love it and keep it forever, or let us buy it back when you're done!
5. Rent furniture instead of buying
If you’re planning on moving around and not ready to commit to buying long-lasting furniture, renting is a fantastic alternative. Instead of opting for “cheap and cheerful” fast furniture, rent durable, high-quality pieces, only for as long as you need it.
By renting furniture, you’re contributing to a circular economy. Pieces can be refurbished and reused multiple times, reducing the demand for new furniture and minimising waste. This practice helps conserve resources and reduce environmental impact.
With Zenkki Subscribe, you can rent a beautiful selection of furniture, all designed with sustainability in mind. Select from a variety of individual pieces, or opt for a curated furniture package that's perfectly tailored for any space, whether it’s for your own home, for a home staging project or for a rental flat.
Forever furniture
If you’re shopping for sustainable furniture it’s time to join the circular retail revolution. Beautiful furniture, made from sustainable materials, that’s built to last. Following these tips, each piece in your home can tell a story of conscious consumption.