As you curate or redesign your evening sanctuary, you may be wanting to limit your exposure to VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other potentially toxic chemicals. The EPA reports that many VOCs are 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors, and that these VOCs are widely used in household products, including furnishings. Thus the need for this guide to non-toxic bedroom furniture companies!
Why Non-Toxic Bedroom Furniture Matters
The EPA states that they “from an indoor health perspective”, they have “no authority to regulate household products”, which is concerning to say the least.
That said, the EPA does have the authority to regulate on certain chemical substances in the Toxic Substances Control Act which has protected us from chemicals like asbestos and lead-based paint.
And after California Air Resources Board issues requirements, the EPA released formaldehyde emissions standards for composite wood products, as formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen. (The standards lower the maximum formaldehyde emissions a composite wood product can have, but does not require the emissions to be zero.)
Many states have their own regulations around VOCs. I won’t bore you with the details, but you may want to search for your own state’s stance on VOCs.
All this to say, while there is some regulation around toxic chemicals in our products the standards still allow for many toxic chemicals in what we bring into our home, like furniture.
What is Sustainable and Non-Toxic Bedroom Furniture?
I know it can be overwhelming to find out that there is relatively little control over the chemicals that are allowed to enter our home. This is why it’s essential to advocate for better consumer products regulation that actually protect our health. And, if you’re looking for companies that are taking environmental and human safety seriously, there are several non-toxic bedroom furniture brands doing so.
Here is some of the criteria I looked for when making this list.
Solid Wood is a Safer Bet
Composite wood products must be stuck together, and that’s typically done with glue that contains formaldehyde. There are some companies making composite wood products with more sustainable alternatives, but I would recommend either sticking to solid wood or looking for an explicit explanation of the alternative glue being used. (Ideally the composite wood product would also be tested by a third party. More on that in a moment.)
In terms of sustainability, look for wood that is reclaimed or responsibly sourced from well-managed forests and at the very least, not coming from old-growth or endangered forests.
Unfinished or Low VOC Finishes
Most wood furniture is finished with some type of finish. These can be natural oil finishes like linseed oil or they may also be polyurethane (plastic material). Generally natural oils and water-based finishes are recognized as emitting lower levels of VOCs. And I’m always a fan of avoiding fossil-fuel products where I can.
Some of the brands on this list even have unfinished wood options, which would be the safest bet.
Natural (or Even Organic) Materials
Synthetic fibers make up 64% of global fiber production. In other words, the majority of fabrics we see today — whether in clothes, home textiles, or upholstered furniture — are either fully or partially synthetic.
Look for materials like natural latex, organic cotton, and linen in your non-toxic bedroom furniture. Even natural materials often are colored with synthetic dyes, but we’re doing the best we can!
Third Party Certifications
To be clear, no certification is going to be perfect but there are several certifying parties adding an extra layer of protection to non-toxic related claims.
GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard
As is in the name, GOTS is a standard for organic textile processing and certifies the entire supply chain of a textile. It can be used to certify fiber products like fabrics, clothes and mattresses.
GOLS: Global Organic Latex Standard
This standard certifies products, like mattresses, that are made from organic natural rubber latex.
GREENGUARD Gold
This is a globally recognized certification from the Greenguard Environmental Institute that verifies products for low emissions of VOCs indoors.
FSC-Certified: Forest Stewardship Council
The FSC certifies wood and other forest products to ensure that they come from forests meeting certain environmental and social standards.
Where to Find Sustainable and Non-Toxic Bedroom Furniture
With those considerations top of mind, I’ve curated my top picks for sustainably-crafted furniture (and mattresses) for your bedroom.
1. Avocado
Categories: Mattresses, Crib Mattress, Kids Mattress, Beds, Bedding, Nightstands, Dressers
Highlights: GOTS and GOLS Certified USA Mattress Factory, FSC-Certified USA Woodshop, GREENGUARD Gold Certified Products
Avocado was first founded as a green mattress company, making GOTS-certified organic non-toxic mattresses that meet STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® standards. The brand has since expanded into bedding and furniture with the same high standards, using sustainably sourced wood, organic fabrics, and zero VOC finishes.
2. Savvy Rest
Categories: Beds, Mattresses, Pillows
Highlights: Organic & Natural Materials, Zero VOC Finishes, Unfinished Option, USA-Made
Savvy Rest uses the best of the best when it comes to eco and non-toxic bedroom furniture and mattress materials. The beds are made from Appalachian wood in Virginia and finished with zero VOC linseed oil, zero-VOC stain or can be left unfinished.
The mattresses are made in a GOTS-certified facility with GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified natural latex, certified organic wool and certified organic cotton.
*Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off all products on Savvy Rest
3. Medley
Categories: Beds, Mattress, Dressers, Nightstands, Accent Chairs, Benches + Ottomans
Highlights: FSC-Certified Wood, GOLS-Certified Latex, USA-Made
Medley’s specialty is contemporary sustainable and non-toxic furniture. Their eco-friendly bedroom furniture is made with responsibly-sourced wood, organic natural latex, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100-certified wool, and zero-VOC finishes. The brand also carries a mattress made in Illinois from 100% GOLS-certified latex.
4. Birch
Categories: Mattresses, Kids Mattress, Beds, Bedding
Highlights: GOTS-Certified Factory, Fair Trade Certified Factory, GREENGUARD Gold-Certified Products
With “Best Organic Mattress” awards from outlets like CNN and Forbes, Birch’s popular mattress is made with quality natural materials like organic cotton, organic wool, and natural latex. Birch’s foundation is made with spruce hardwood and organic cotton; note that their bed frame’s upholstery option is polyester (plastic) fabric, so I would avoid that variant due to sustainability concerns.
5. Cisco Home @ Urban Natural
Categories: Beds, Dressers, Nightstands, Accent Chairs + Sofas, Benches + Ottomans
Highlights: Sustainable Furnishing Council Founding Member, FSC-Certified Wood, Organic Material Options, USA Made,
Cisco Home’s “Inside Green” collection is your ticket to sustainable and non-toxic bedroom furniture. When you select this option on their products — from upholstered beds to benches — your selection will be made to order with FSC-certified wood, jute, hemp, organic latex, organic cotton and wool.
6. Healthier Homes
Categories: Accent Chairs, Lighting, Dressers + Nightstands, Storage + Shelving, Bedding, Rugs, Paint + Wallpaper
Highlights: Solid Hardwood Furniture, Natural Fabrics, Vets for Non-Toxic Materials
Founded by the “world’s first healthy home builders” Jenny and Rusty are on a mission to make non-toxic natural furnishings more easily accessible to their community. Healthier Homes is a destination for all things non-toxic home, including furniture, decor, home textiles, and even paint.
7. Thuma
Categories: Bed, Dresser, Shelving, Bedside Tables, Mattress, Bedding, Rugs
Highlights: Upcycled Solid Rubberwood, GREENGUARD Gold-Certified Products
Everything Thuma sells is thoughtfully designed with functionality top of mind. Thuma’s dresser is modular and adaptable to varying needs with 7 different configurations (including a bedside table). The bed’s pieces are also configurable — buy just a bed frame or add on a headboard and/or cushion knowing that everything is designed to work together seamlessly.
8. My Green Mattress
Categories: Mattresses, Kids Mattresses, Crib Mattress, Bed Frames, Bedding
Highlights: GOTS + GOLS Certified Mattresses, USA Made, Zero Wood Stains
The certified organic mattresses from My Green Mattress are all made in their own factory in Illinois. These quality mattresses come with a year-long sleep trial and 20-year warranty so you can rest easy about your purchase. The Amish-made platform bed is made with the same commitments and is left unfinished with zero wood stains.
9. Natural Home by the Futon Shop
Categories: Mattresses, Beds, Futons, Dressers & Bedside Tables, Bedding
Highlights: Organic Materials, Solid Wood Options, Zero VOC Finish Options
If you’re looking for a non-toxic futon frame or sofa bed mattress, The Futon Shop is just your place. The retailer offers organic cotton, natural Dunlop latex, and natural wool mattresses for both sofa beds and regular beds. Many of their futons and platform beds are made with solid wood. Look for the options like this one that say “Chemical Free” or “Natural” for non-toxic bed frames finished with linseed oil only.
More Furniture Guides:
15 Best Non-Toxic Furniture Brands for a Healthier Home
11 Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Beds for a Sustainable Slumber
7 Best Places for Sustainable and Non-Toxic Nightstands
The post 9 Sustainable Non-Toxic Bedroom Furniture Companies for a Safer Sleep appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
9 Sustainable Non-Toxic Bedroom Furniture Companies for a Safer Sleep
Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. Obakki
Best for: warm-hued handwoven wool rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Runners, Accent Rugs
Obakki partners with artisan weavers primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico — including individual makers like José — who hand-dyes and weaves rugs on a traditional pedal loom using locally sourced sheep’s wool and natural dyes derived from native plants. The brand also works with Rrres Design Studio, a Latin American studio dedicated to preserving traditional Oaxacan weaving techniques, and sources handwoven textiles from artisan communities beyond Mexico as well, including Morocco.
Each rug is made from 100% wool with no synthetic dyes or backing. Most pieces are made-to-order with a 4-8 week production window, shipped directly from the artisan partners.
Price Range: $460 – $4,159
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Natural Dyes, Craft Preservation
2. Kiliim
Best for: modern wool kilim rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim.
Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $95 – $4,812
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
3. Urban Natural
Best for: browsing fair trade rugs in lots of styles and sizes
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $259 – $9,755
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
4. LOOMY
Best for: pet-friendly and performance rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to crafting beautiful artisan-made rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton, plus performance options made from 100% recycled polyester built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $298 – $8,298
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation, Vintage Options
5. West Elm
Best for: fair trade rugs in on-trend mainstream styles
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
6. Jubi
Best for: Modern rugs in vibrant prints
Categories: Accent Rugs, Circle Rugs, Runners
Jubi is a Brooklyn studio founded by textile designer Cassie Dagostino. Every rug is handmade from New Zealand wool by fourth-generation weaving families in Bhadohi, India using traditional techniques. Each rug is made-to-order, meaning no excess stock. Since everything is made to order, expect between 3 and 7 weeks for your rug, depending on the technique used.
Conscious Qualities: Pays Above Market Rates, 100% Wool, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $228 – $668
Shipping: Free worldwide shipping
7. Rejuvenation
Best for: Classic rug styles made in Fair Trade factories
Categories: Accent Rugs, Runners, Area Rugs
Home retailer Rejuvenation has a selection of rugs made in Fair Trade Certified factories. Their collection includes undyed hand-loomed rugs to geometric flatwoven wool rugs. And while I’d typically avoid synthetics, it tends to be unavoidable for outdoor rugs — so Rejuvenation’s Fair Trade 100% recycled poly rug is a good option.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Certified, Mostly Natural Materials
Price Range: $79 – $1,649
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. shipping for 10% of product price (add $20 for HI, AK, and US. territorries)
