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Step 1
Buy furnishings from an eco-friendly manufacturer. Major retailers such as Target and Crate and Barrel sell eco-friendly furniture at reasonable prices.
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Step 2
Consider reupholstering. If you are considering buying a new couch, choose instead to reupholster the piece rather than hauling it off to the junkyard. You will save money and keep the couch out of the landfill. If you don't think it is worth the expense to reupholster your furniture, throw a slipcover over it. Slipcovers can give your furniture a new life.
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Step 3
Buy wood tables, chairs and desks that are constructed out of reclaimed and/or recycled woods. Reclaimed wood is usually left over after a building demolition and sold to a furniture manufacturer. The manufacturer then reuses the wood by building new products, such as tables, chairs, desks and flooring.
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Step 4
Choose furniture in which the upholstery and cushions are made of recycled and/or earth-friendly materials. Look for upholstery made from hemp or recycled natural fibers, such as cotton or linen.
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Step 5
Look at the whole piece of furniture before buying. If you are looking for a couch and find one that is upholstered in hemp, make sure the cushions are earth-friendly before buying. Some cushions are made from materials that release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
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Step 6
Purchase sustainable forest wood products. Sustainable forestry practices are heavily regulated and have strict guidelines that dictate how the timber is harvested. Sustainable forestry products will carry a seal denoting that its production was earth-friendly.
