It’s been an intense couple of years, eh? Although the pandemic has been taking up most of our thoughts over the past year, that’s not to say we’ve completely forgotten about climate change. We’re well acquainted with the pitfalls and environmental consequences of fast fashion but now’s the time to start taking a look at fast interiors, fast fashion’s homeware counterpart. It’s far less likely that you’ll have thought about the impact of non-sustainable furniture on the planet.
According to the British Heart Foundation, a third of UK adults throw away furniture that could be recycled or reused, with 22 million pieces of furniture chucked out every year. This has a considerable impact on waste management services and the amount of waste we’re producing in general.
If you are one of the many who has used the time in lockdown to rethink your home space, you may have considered graduating from the basic flatpack table and bed you got when you first started renting. If so, now is the time to invest in some sustainably made furniture.
As with sustainable fashion, the price points are higher but if you canafford it, it helps to see it as an investment – a piece of furniture that will last and last. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing your purchase is supporting a move towards a more sustainable home.
Ahead we’ve listed some of our favourite brands and retailers to help you find that perfect piece of sustainable furniture to pull your home together.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Vinterior is not only a great site to search for vintage furniture, it also has a whole page dedicated to upcycled furniture: when damaged, unwanted or abandoned furniture is enhanced in some way to bring it back to life. It’s an innovative form of recycling that produces some truly unique pieces, like these eye-catching bedside cabinets.
Vinterior Two Mid Century Bedside Cabinets, $, available at Vinterior
Myakka makes high quality, fair trade solid wood furniture from Indian and Thai wood in a range of modern, handmade designs. These pieces are built. To. Last!
Myakka Mallani Blanket Box, $, available at Myakka
Wearth is an eco-friendly website specialising in zero-waste products for everyday life. It champions UK brands and makers, showcasing everything from beauty to fashion and homeware, but its furniture curation is particularly impressive. We love this peg board, which is as utilitarian as it is decorative.
Kreis Design Peg-It-All Pegboard (Natural), $, available at Wearth London
Scaramanga is another treasure trove of upcycled pieces. They up their furniture’s eco credentials by restoring pieces with only salvaged wood, meaning no new wood is used to maintain the vintage style.
The pieces are carefully sourced and worked over by artisans with a traditional touch and attention to detail, meaning you’ll have a piece that is truly unique.
Scaramanga Shop Re-Purposed Clock Cabinet, $, available at Scaramanga Shop
Puji, based in Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland, specialises in reclaimed timbers as they require no new trees, making them an environmentally friendly option. Just a few of these include mango, pine, oak and teak wood. They are committed to being as ethical a retailer as possible.
Puji KLEO Set of 5 Decorative Wall Shelves, $, available at Puji
Rockett St George is an online marketplace which has made sourcing sustainable and eco-friendly products a part of its mission. It’s developing more and more of its own brand designs, which gives it more control over the sustainability of the materials, as well as the manufacturing and shipping methods.
Rockett St George Alfresco Rattan Outdoor Bar Drinks Trolley, $, available at Rockett St George
As ever, Etsy is a treasure trove for all things vintage, sustainably made and upcycled. As flexible working becomes more normalised, now is as good a time as any to invest in a beautifully restored desk, no?
Stone On The Hill Pair Of 2 Tone Chairs, $, available at Etsy
At Nkuku, the furniture is always ethical, handmade and eco-friendly, crafted by artisans throughout the world who work with natural and recycled materials. A focus on traditional methods of production and materials shapes the look of every product collection.
Nkuku Durium Leather Lounger – Aged Tan, $, available at Nkuku
Finally, sofasofa are the seating experts for your ethically made sofa needs. Their products are all designed and made in Britain from non-tropical hardwoods, sourced from sustainable European forests. They aim to recycle everything where possible. Perhaps most importantly, there are no travel miles on these sofas as pieces are delivered direct from UK-based sofasofa manufacturers.
