Design for the Planet: What Sustainability Looks Like for Furniture

The most eco-friendly materials for furniture tend to be those that are rapidly renewable, organically grown, recycled, recyclable, or otherwise leave minimal impact on the environment.

For instance, Avella mentions the rise of bamboo furnishings as a sustainable and elegant alternative to wood. “HOUE of Denmark is one brand that uses bamboo in their Circle and Four outdoor dining tables,” she explains. “Bamboo is great because it grows very quickly and is easy to replace.” Not only is bamboo one of the world’s most rapidly renewable plants, it’s also highly efficient at absorbing CO2 and needs minimal water to grow.

Organic materials are also praised for their eco-friendly qualities, because they are grown without fertilizers and pesticides, limiting potential negative effects on the surrounding ecosystem. For fabrics, organic cotton and linen are popular, and if you’re looking for an earth-friendly mattress, try the Ottawa. Ottawa is made with organic latex that is also naturally antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and durable.

Recycled materials are another exciting development in sustainable design. This is especially true of options like recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, which helps fight plastic waste. The Haven Sleeper and Barker Dining Chair are two stylish pieces Copenhagen carries that both feature 100% recycled polyester upholstery. For the office, you may love the Rilega collection, made of 100% recycled wood with a long-lasting melamine finish.

Sustainability also entails considering the entirety of a product’s life cycle, including end-of-life. Materials that can be recycled instead of thrown away create less waste. Copenhagen carries office chairs by VIA, made with fully recyclable plastic, and lighting by Koncept, whose lamps have fully recyclable aluminum housing.

Equally important as what a piece of furniture is made of is where it came from and how it was harvested. For example, materials attained locally result in fewer transport emissions (and support the local economy). Responsible sourcing practices are also essential to sustainability, to ensure resources are not being depleted faster than they can grow back.

Two brands that embody eco-conscious sourcing are Skovby of Denmark, maker of timeless dining pieces, and Luonto of Finland, maker of functional sleeper sofas. “Skovby and Luonto are great because they both source their wood from local forests or responsibly managed forests – they’re very aware of the planet.” says Avella. “Skovby also helps plant trees with every purchase by donating to the Growing Trees Network.”

Wood from sustainably managed forests will typically carry a certification that says so, such as one from the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Looking for these or other certifications when furniture shopping can offer helpful information. Luonto is both FSC and PEFC certified, and Skovby complies with the European Union Timber Regulation.

Another central facet of sustainability relates to the manufacturing process. This can take a variety of forms, from minimizing emissions, to harnessing renewable energy, to using resources efficiently – including reducing or repurposing waste.

Stressless® of Norway is a prominent brand who is continually optimizing their processes for sustainability. Their factories in Norway run on hydropower and 80% of their waste is reused, recycled, or used for energy recovery. For instance, they reuse leftover foam for armrest and footrest cushions and sell leather scraps to purveyors of leather goods. They have also made strides over the past decade in reducing electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions.

“One thing I love about Stressless®, Luonto, and Skovby is that they all use leftover scrap wood and sawdust for heating their factories,” Avella says. “Not only that, but any surplus fuel goes to heat buildings in the local community.” Luonto is especially notable for converting 6 tons of sawdust per week into pellets that heat their production lines. Skovby is equally laudable for designing, constructing, and producing their furniture in one location, reducing transport emissions.

For Avella, durability is a core component of sustainability, because it means you can go much longer before having to discard and replace an item. “It’s essential to consider how long furniture will last for a customer,” she says. “For clients who want high-quality products, we have manufacturers who are thinking about how to protect the planet while making exceptional furnishings that will last a long time.”

Stressless® is one of the many brands Copenhagen carries that are renowned for quality and durability. Each Stressless® recliner is designed with 32 layers of beechwood in its base, a steel frame made of one continuous rod, and foam with perfectly consistent air pockets. These recliners are still mostly produced and assembled by hand, with the aid of advanced machinery like robots and 3D printers – combining traditional expertise with modern technology. As a result, it’s not uncommon for Stressless® clients to get decades of use out of their recliners.

Other aspects of durability include repairability and modular design. For example, Luonto builds the frames and mechanisms of their sleeper sofas with an emphasis on repairability as well as overall longevity (designed for 10 years of use at minimum). The Stressless® Sky mattress has modular layers that can be zipped on or off, allowing you to modify the level of plushness, as well as replace a layer instead of discarding the whole mattress. Additionally, every component of the Click chairs can be ordered as a replacement part, facilitating repair. Click’s durable, UV-protected plastic lamellas can be bought individually, allowing you to change them out for a new look.

On the aesthetic side of things, curating furniture with a timeless look can be more sustainable than selecting pieces that are only briefly trendy. Though ultimately a matter of personal preference, consider choosing pieces that you find both beautiful and versatile, and that can coordinate easily with a variety of design themes.

Some features of timeless furniture may include clean lines, functional design, neutral color, durable wood, or high-quality leather. Example pieces include the Trento Sofa in cream protected leather with a walnut base, or the Reveal Coffee Table featuring sleek lines, a liftable top, and multifunctional utility. When you want to refresh your aesthetic, consider switching your accessories so that your timeless foundational items can remain the anchor for your space.

As an added note, mindful buying can form an important part of a sustainable lifestyle. Taking your time to carefully think over potential purchases counteracts impulse buying, which can lead to regret and discarding an item prematurely. Especially for major purchases, consider if you can see yourself enjoying the item for many years and whether it fits with your long-term wants and needs.

Copenhagen fosters a mindful buying environment by choosing not to engage in high-pressure sales. Instead, our sales and design associates support customers to make decisions at their own pace and take the time to build long-term client relationships.