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Ask a Pro: How do I Shop for Sustainable Furniture?
This article is part of a new series, Sustainability in Apartment Living, covering topics related to sustainable living
Niki Bruce
16 March 2020
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
What is sustainable furniture?
Sustainable furniture is made from materials that are recycled or upcycled – where you make something new from something old – or made from new materials that are easily renewable like bamboo. Sustainable furniture can also be made of materials that will last a long time like metal, glass or hardwood.
Sustainable furniture is made from materials that are recycled or upcycled – where you make something new from something old – or made from new materials that are easily renewable like bamboo. Sustainable furniture can also be made of materials that will last a long time like metal, glass or hardwood.
What does ‘upcycling’ mean?
If you’ve re-upholstered an old sofa or turned a cable drum into a coffee table base, you have upcycled. Upcycling is simply repurposing existing things to give them a new ‘life’.
11 of the best upcycling ideas on Houzz
If you’ve re-upholstered an old sofa or turned a cable drum into a coffee table base, you have upcycled. Upcycling is simply repurposing existing things to give them a new ‘life’.
11 of the best upcycling ideas on Houzz
Work with an eco-friendly interior designer
If you are renovating your home, it’s worth looking for an interior designer who has an eco-friendly sensibility. Caroline Chin-Geyler, the founder and creative director of Arete Culture, always tries to get her clients interested in reusing their existing furniture.
“We’ve always believed in prolonging the life cycle of a piece of furniture if we can. In our makeovers we upcycle a lot of our clients’ existing furniture, even when they tell us they want a whole new range of furniture. As long as a piece is well-made, we do our best to update it so it feels like a new piece,” explains Chin-Geyler.
If you are renovating your home, it’s worth looking for an interior designer who has an eco-friendly sensibility. Caroline Chin-Geyler, the founder and creative director of Arete Culture, always tries to get her clients interested in reusing their existing furniture.
“We’ve always believed in prolonging the life cycle of a piece of furniture if we can. In our makeovers we upcycle a lot of our clients’ existing furniture, even when they tell us they want a whole new range of furniture. As long as a piece is well-made, we do our best to update it so it feels like a new piece,” explains Chin-Geyler.
What are the most eco-friendly types of furniture?
Choose durable furniture over cheap and cheerful materials like chipboard and look for products that come from a renewable source. When shopping, look for the FSC logo. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) issues certificates to responsibly forestry operations and in Singapore, teak and oak are the most commonly found FSC-certified hardwoods.
Guide to sustainable furniture in Singapore
Choose durable furniture over cheap and cheerful materials like chipboard and look for products that come from a renewable source. When shopping, look for the FSC logo. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) issues certificates to responsibly forestry operations and in Singapore, teak and oak are the most commonly found FSC-certified hardwoods.
Guide to sustainable furniture in Singapore
Bamboo: Long used in Asia for scaffolding, walls and floors, bamboo is a also great material for furniture. It is very fast-growing, releases 35 per cent more oxygen than forest trees, and stronger than mild steel. Bamboo flooring has become popular recently, but there are also bamboo composite materials to make everything from sofas to tables.
Rattan: This material is similar to bamboo in that it grows faster than traditional timber. It’s most often found used as wicker – a woven version of the material – and is particularly durable in this form. Wicker furniture is an ongoing interior trend as well.
Metal, steel, aluminium: While the manufacturing process of these materials are not green, their durability is second to none. In fact, the iconic 1006 Navy chair (bonus: made with recycled aluminium) is guaranteed to last 150 years so you never have to replace it.
Look for companies that have a recycling programme, or one that uses the Cradle to Cradle systemof circular production.
Is veganism the future of decor?
Look for companies that have a recycling programme, or one that uses the Cradle to Cradle systemof circular production.
Is veganism the future of decor?
Avoid toxic chemicals: When furniture shopping, keep paint and other finishing products in mind. Paint, waterproofing treatments, leather treatments, stain-resistant products etc. can contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Look for products are VOC-Free outside and in. Remember that chemicals can also be found inside furniture – in the foam or webbing of sofas, chairs, bedheads or in the adhesive used. Flame-retardants for example sound like a great idea, but some studies suggest that these chemicals could lead to cancer, autism, obesity and reproductive issues.
How to cut down on VOCs in flooring and furniture
Look for products are VOC-Free outside and in. Remember that chemicals can also be found inside furniture – in the foam or webbing of sofas, chairs, bedheads or in the adhesive used. Flame-retardants for example sound like a great idea, but some studies suggest that these chemicals could lead to cancer, autism, obesity and reproductive issues.
How to cut down on VOCs in flooring and furniture
Choose preloved furniture
Buying vintage and preloved furniture is one of the best ways to be eco-friendly. You aren’t using new materials but preventing one more item from the landfill. Look for pieces made from durable materials and be creative with paint, reupholstery or new hardware to give it the look you want.
Buying vintage and preloved furniture is one of the best ways to be eco-friendly. You aren’t using new materials but preventing one more item from the landfill. Look for pieces made from durable materials and be creative with paint, reupholstery or new hardware to give it the look you want.
Shop locally
One of the biggest issues with buying new furniture is the carbon footprint it incurs in its trip to your home. Buy brands that produce their products in Singapore, Malaysia or other neighbouring countries.
One of the biggest issues with buying new furniture is the carbon footprint it incurs in its trip to your home. Buy brands that produce their products in Singapore, Malaysia or other neighbouring countries.
There are a number of good sustainable furniture options in Singapore. Chin-Geyler recommends Originals and Journey East. Other brands include Soul & Tables, and For The Common Goods. You should also check out vintage and preloved furniture stores like Hock Siong & Co. for Asian and European pieces, or Noden and Mobler for Scandinavian-style pieces.
Saying goodbye to pieces you don’t want
Look for ways sell furniture, donate to a good cause (like Pass It On) or recycle or upcycle for your new interior scheme, or give it away to a community group (Free Loved Furniture).
Tell us
Are you interested in sustainable and eco friendly design? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore
Browse more Singapore photos for design inspiration
Look for ways sell furniture, donate to a good cause (like Pass It On) or recycle or upcycle for your new interior scheme, or give it away to a community group (Free Loved Furniture).
Tell us
Are you interested in sustainable and eco friendly design? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore
Browse more Singapore photos for design inspiration
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