How To Shop For Furniture Sustainably

Moving to a new place is undoubtedly a task that can be as stressful as it is satisfying, and furnishing a space to your standards can be a big undertaking. Having eco-friendly as part of your criteria when furniture shopping doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think. The golden rule?

Secondhand is your best friend.

If you have a particular style in mind for any type of furniture, chances are, you can find it somewhere second-hand. Everywhere from your local charity shop to Facebook Marketplace can contain gems, if you look hard enough. There are now lots of different places where you can go furniture hunting, in shops, flea markets or online — I once got a bunch of beautiful trinkets and a full-sized mirror for free from a boutique that was refurbishing their shop floor and wanted to get rid of the existing furniture. From eBay to the British Heart Foundation, to even fancy dress shops, the styles you’re looking for are out there somewhere — likely at a fraction of the price if you were to buy it brand new. Leading on to my next point:

Don’t be scared to upcycle.

It can seem daunting, but upcycling does not have to be the elaborate furniture flips you see on social media. It can be something as easy as a layer of paint or a changing of doorknobs, and in return, you get a modernised and fresher piece of furniture for much less. Don’t be afraid to give it some alterations if you see a piece of furniture to do like. 

Look for sustainable materials.

If you’re wanting to splurge a little and are happy buying new, it’s always worth seeing what materials are used and how environmentally friendly it is. When buying wood furniture, look for companies that are making pieces from reclaimed and recycled wood. Wearth is a great place to start looking, as it’s an online marketplace that’s sustainable and plastic-free, putting your favourite eco-friendly styles under one roof.

Got any other tips for shopping for furniture? Let us know in the comments below!