The Best Eco-Friendly Furniture and Home Design

The Coolest Eco-Friendly Furniture and Design for Your Green Home

The Babylon Sofa by RC Green

We have a decent grasp on how to make our homes more energy efficient Eco-Friendly. It helps having a choice when the old electronics and appliances have to go, knowing which bulbs to put in our lamps and fixtures. What about the things we sit on, sleep on and add to our domicile to bring the funk, elegance or class that we all personally prefer? Well, the same choice exists for furniture.

Although not yet a mainstream option like the energy saving light bulb, it is creeping toward popularity. 



Green Furniture: Outside The Box

One of my richest memories from a life chapter I’ve entitled, “What was I thinking?” took place at the Guggenheim Museum in 2001, shortly before the world came tumbling down. An exhibit of Frank Gehry’s furniture design work was on display, including everything he had done commercially, as well as some personal experiments.

 Forget the fact that he’s my favorite architect, and that his brain remains outside the box — on that particular day, he became one of my favorite furniture makers.

Using corrugated cardboard, he did that thing that he does and created some of the most durable and surprisingly comfortable furniture I’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting on. This opened my eyes to another world of furniture making materials and how the industry could help consumers work toward sustainability.

The Practicality of Eco-Friendly Furniture

Easy Edges Wiggle Side Chair. Photo: Courtesy of Frank O. Gehry & Associates.

The stuff is green. As green as it can get. Instead of oak, consider FSC bamboo — a wood that is light, flexible and still possesses a tensile strength that rivals some metals. Cushion stuffing = organic. That’s how these manufacturers roll. We all assume such. Yet, there’s one thing that is often forgotten about when considering furniture, and that’s the practicality of its design.

If a couch isn’t comfortable, why do people buy it? Short answer — because it looks good. Makes a lot of sense if you use your home for photo shoots and such, but what if you like having people over to watch a movie or enjoy some dinner? The bottom line: uncomfortable furniture sucks.

Therein lies the beauty of Eco-Friendly furniture. Chances are, it’s going to be a conversation piece, while also being simple and functional — made for sitting, lying, storage, etc. Not only that, but due to the simplistic design nature of such furniture, you’ll be far more mobile for any potential moves.

Now that you can easily justify the purchase of some Eco-Friendly household items (because there’s no denying the stuff ain’t cheap), let’s admire some really COOL stuff.

Some Cool Eco-Friendly Furniture

Kidney Shaped Desk By John Wiggers

It’s 2008, and many of us work from home. Even if we do the daily commute, there’s a good chance our work isn’t done by the time the sun sets and our spouse, kids, friends, parents, significant other or pet are all wondering exactly when we might grace them with our presence. 

How about coming home to this gorgeous work of art as a little inspiration to your end of the day wrap up? Yeah. This one comes at a pretty penny at just under 10 Grand, but I’d be willing to bet that much that this desk will outlast every car you ever own.

Maku Dining Table by Maku Furnishings
Click for info on the Maku Dining Table
Simple, clean and absolutely beautiful. Pieces of furniture like this are truly an example of “less is more.”

Babylon Sofa by RC Green
Click for info on the Babylon Sofa by RC Green
(pictured above in this article)
Low profile and ready to give your bum a hug. This sofa is made of organic materials and perfect for lounging with a nice glass of wine, or taking a nap on a Saturday afternoon. It comes in a variety of colors, as well as upholstery options: cotton, hemp, bamboo and linen.

Lulu Wall Sconce by Fire and Water
Click for more info on the Lulu Wall Sconce by Fire and Water

Lulu Wall Sconce by Fire and Water

Perfect for adding atmosphere with your interior illumination.

Tonecoon by PIE
Click for more info on Tonecoon by PIE designs
Last but not least, something really funky for the household. Perfect for living/lounging quarters, or even on the patio.

Maku Dining Table by Maku Furnishings

This has been a guest post for Easy Ways to Go Green by James Sheldon. Special thanks to to Vivavi (as all of these great examples come straight from their “online showroom.”)