Whether you’re looking for sustainable accent chairs, desk chairs, or dining chairs, this guide will help you find just what you’re looking for.
What Are Sustainable Chairs?
Before we get into the brands, let’s talk about the criteria for a “sustainable chair”. As with anything in sustainability, there isn’t necessarily a black-or-white definition, but here are some general guidelines to keep in mind.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Recycled and low impact natural materials are ideal when it comes to searching for that perfect eco-friendly chair.
Some materials you may want to look for are recycled aluminum (which is naturally rust-resistant) and reclaimed or sustainably-harvested hardwood.
For upholstered chairs, look for fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, linen, and recycled fabrics. And for the foam, some alternatives to synthetic foam include natural organic latex, coconut fiber, and organic wool.
Non-Toxic Finishes
When looking for wood furniture, check to see if the furnishes are free of toxic chemicals. Zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) is best and there are also many low-VOC options. Just try to leave any low-VOC furniture outside for a bit before taking it into your home if you can! [Check out more non-toxic home tips in this post.]
Responsible and Sustainable Production Practices
Given how heavy and bulky furniture is, local production is particularly important since the emissions from shipping can really add up.
Searching for domestic production is great, and local production within the area/state of the company can allow for even better transparency.
Where to Find Sustainable Chairs
Now, let’s get into where you can find eco-friendly chairs that meet some or all of this criteria! We’ll start off with some options to find used chairs and then get into the brands with sustainably-made chairs.
Note that this guide includes partners and affiliates. As always, all brands featured meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we truly love — and that we think you’ll love too!
Secondhand Sources for Eco-Friendly Chairs
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are two classic options when it comes to finding used furniture! Here are some others to know:
OfferUp (buy and sell locally)
AptDeco (available in New York metro, Philadelphia metro, and Bay Area)
Chairish (vintage)
EBTH (like an online estate sale)
EstateSales.net (for finding in-person estate sales!)
Places to Find New Eco-Friendly Chairs
If you can’t find what you’re looking for secondhand, check out these brands and retailers with eco-friendly office chairs, dining chairs, armchairs, and more.
Looking for outdoor chairs? Check out this guide to outdoor furniture.
Best Non-Toxic: Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest is a seriously impressive non-toxic furniture brand that has every single element covered when it comes to sustainable chairs! The Verona Organic Armchair is made using GOTS-certified organic cotton and/or hemp upholstery, organic wool batting, sustainably-sourced solid hardwood maple, Cradle-to-Cradle Gold Certified Natural Talalay latex foam, natural coir, jute webbing, and zero-VOC finishes.
Conscious Qualities: Organic & Eco Materials, Sustainable Wood, Non-Toxic Finishes, Locally Made
Price Range: $2,699-$2,999
Use Code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!
Shipping: White Glove delivery within continental U.S. Contact their team for shipping quotes outside of the 48 contiguous states.
Best Luxury: Maiden Home
Proving that furniture can be both beautiful and responsibly made, Maiden Home’s sustainable accent chairs and dining chairs are handcrafted in North Carolina from premium quality, eco-minded materials like 100% pure linen, recycled steel springs, and soy-based foam.
The woman-founded brand partners directly with artisans to bring you the best quality at affordable prices — and ensure transparent production.
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order in North Carolina, Non-Toxic, Responsibly Sourced Hardwood
Price Range: $1,325 – $2,250
Shipping: Free white glove delivery within contiguous U.S. + some locations in Canada
Best Outdoor Chairs: Made Trade
Sustainable retailer Made Trade has a variety of eco-friendly dining chairs, office chairs, and accent chairs made from thoughtful materials like sustainably sourced hardwood and recycled aluminum.
Conscious Qualities: Sustainable Materials & Practices, Carbon Neutral Certified Company
Price Range: $420-$1,150
Shipping: Ships furniture within the US only
Best Circularity Practices: Sabai
In addition to using recycled & upcycled fibers for their sofas, Sabai has two circularity programs: Repair Don’t Replace — where you can find individual parts — and Sabai Revive where you can sell back your Sabai furniture or buy previously owned furniture for a lower cost.
Conscious Qualities: Recycled and Sustainably-Sourced Materials, Repair Program, Resale Program
Price Range: $745 – $795
Shipping: Ships within U.S. and Canada
Best Fair Trade: The Citizenry
Handcrafted and made-to-order with the finest materials like solid walnut and performance fabrics to withstand the test of time, The Citizenry’s sustainable chairs are well-positioned to become heirloom pieces.
The Citizenry partners with artisans around the world for all of their pieces, ensuring fair trade conditions and wages for the makers behind their products. Their fair trade chairs are made in Indonesia (teak and rattan chairs) and Northern California (upholstered chairs).
Price Range: $399 – $1,799
Shipping: Ships furniture within the U.S. only
Best Office Chairs: noho
The sustainable office chair meets dining chair from noho is not only designed to maximize ergonomic comfort, but it’s made using ECONYL regenerated nylon sourced from ocean waste. And, the chair is made in a production facility that uses 80%+ renewable energy.
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials, Made with Renewable Energy
Price: $375
Shipping: Free shipping within the contiguous U.S.
Most Options: Burrow
Out to transform the way furniture is made and sold, Burrow makes modular furniture that can expand and grow as your needs change. You can easily combine many of their armchairs and ottomans with sofas for a sectional!
The eco-friendly armchairs are made with responsibly-forested wood and non-toxic upcycled fabric upholstery.
Conscious Qualities: Responsibly-Sourced Wood, Eco-Conscious Fabric, Modular & Adaptable
Price Range: $425- $1,790
Shipping: Free shipping within the continental U.S.
Best Sustainability Practices: Medley
Non-toxic furniture brand Medley creates quality non-toxic and eco-minded furnishings, and their armchair collection is no exception. You’ll find sustainable chairs crafted just for you in LA using materials like FSC-certified hardwood, CertiPUR-US® certified foam, and organic natural latex.
Conscious Qualities: Non-Toxic and Eco Materials, Domestic Production
Price Range: $1,060-$1,940
Shipping: Ships internationally; contact to get quotes for shipping outside of the US
Best Design: West Elm
A large furniture brand making some significant strides in implementing sustainable options, West Elm lets you filter by elements like Green Guard Certified and Sustainably Sourced. The Sustainably Sourced collection includes eco-friendly chairs made with materials like FSC-Certified wood and linen fabric.
Our favorite pick? The Mara Hoffman chair made in collaboration with the sustainable fashion brand of the same name.
Conscious Qualities: Options with FSC-Certified Wood, Natural Fabric, Contract Grade Quality, Green Guard Certified
Price Range: $699 – $3,197
Shipping: Ships within U.S. to home or local West Elm store
Best Dining Chairs: Urban Natural
Urban Natural has many eco-minded options in their vast selection of furnishings. They have eco-friendly dining chairs made from sustainably sourced hardwood and armchairs from brands like Environment by Cisco Home made with organic materials.
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Minded Natural Materials & Processes
Price Range: $450-$7,000
Shipping: White Glove delivery in the contiguous U.S. for $250 flat rate (free for orders $2,500+)
And that wraps it up! I hope you found this guide to sustainable chairs useful, whether you were looking for desk chairs, upholstered chairs, or dining chairs. For outdoor chairs, check out this sustainable outdoor furniture guide.
Liked this guide to sustainable chairs? Check out these other furniture guides:
The Best Non-Toxic Sofas for Truly Restful Relaxation
Gorgeous Sustainable Tables to Gather Around
Ethical Home Decor Brands for Your Conscious Space
The post The 10 Best Eco-Friendly Chairs for Sustainable Seating (2024) appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
The 10 Best Eco-Friendly Chairs for Sustainable Seating (2024)
Curating a conscious home is a thoughtful process involving much consideration — who made my products, how they were made, and what are they made from — and this guide aims to support you on your journey towards finding ethical and sustainable home decor you truly love.
What is Sustainable Home Decor?
Sustainable home decor includes any home decor that is made in a way that takes into consideration both the makers and the planet. Sustainable home decor will be ethically made using eco-friendly and natural materials. Eco-friendly decor will also be produced using sustainable supply chain practices. This includes using renewable energy and recycled or compostable packaging.
While there are numerous sustainable home decor brands, some of which are featured below, first consider what’s already been made in order to prevent contributing to new waste. Secondhand, used, or DIY home decor options are typically more sustainable than buying new.
What is Ethical and Fair Trade Home Decor?
Ethical and Fair Trade home decor is produced in a way that adheres to Fair Trade standards and is, ideally, Fair Trade Certified. Fair Trade means paying artisans and makers a fair, living wage and providing ethical working conditions. Ethical home decor also includes supporting goods made by artisans using traditional heritage techniques and art forms. Many cultures around the world are at risk of losing their age-old artisanal crafts forever in the age of mass manufacturing.
It’s important to note that sometimes a major brand may use an “eco” fiber while still supporting irresponsible labor practices, and excessive production amounts that inevitably lead to a lot of waste. This is not true sustainability in my mind!
Most artisan-made home decor is ethically produced and directly supports the makers. However, it’s important to check if a brand or marketplace is transparent about their business practices to ensure they are ethical or Fair Trade.
Where Can You Find Sustainable Home Decor?
In terms of environmental sustainability, looking secondhand and vintage is always a great first place to look for sustainable home decor.
But if you’ve scoured those options and haven’t found what you’re looking for and/or if you’re looking to financially support artisans and traditional crafts around the globe, this shopping guide is designed for you. You’ll discover many brands with artfully designed and artisan handmade goods for furnishing any space among this list of decor brands.
All of the brands in this guide use natural and/or recycled fibers and avoid the use of virgin synthetics like polyester; however, some brands do use materials that are not the most environmentally-friendly option on the market, such as conventional cotton.
And of course, I wanted to choose brands that followed slow, thoughtful production practices, prioritizing artisan handmade over factory labor and quality over quantity.
So without further ado, here are my favorite small-batch, artisan-made, and ethical home decor brands.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links — as always, we only curate brands vetted for sustainability that we love (and that we think you’ll love too).
1. Urban Natural
Categories: Accent Pillows, Tabletop, Lighting, Wall Art & Mirrors, Blankets & Throws
Eco-friendly home retailer Urban Natural is on a mission to curate high-quality furniture (and other home goods) built with quality and free of toxic chemicals. Urban Natural carries several sustainable home decor brands, including artisan brands Ethnicraft and Jaipur Living as well as ethically USA-made brands Farmhouse Pottery and East Fork.
2. GOODEE
Categories: Pillows, Lighting, Wall Decor, Planters, Baskets, Blankets, Candles
GOODEE is an ethical marketplace featuring numerous sustainable artisan brands and designers. You’ll find a variety of beautifully crafted home decor goods to suit a wide range of styles. Goodee is a Climate Neutral and B Corp Certified company. They publish an annual impact report so you can easily ensure their business practices align with your values.
Our favorite brands on Goodee are Texidors, Baba Tree, Makaua, and Tensira.
3. Healthier Homes
Categories: Rugs, Lighting, Tabletop, Baskets, Wall Decor & Wallpaper
Founded after years running an award-winning healthy home building firm and publishing a book by the same name (Healthier Homes) this retailer is a go-to online destination for finding non-toxic home goods. The eco-friendly home decor on Healthier Homes is primarily made with natural materials like clay, cotton, seagrass, mango wood, and bamboo,
4. Will & Atlas
Categories: Baskets, Tabletop
Will & Atlas is a women-owned small business making most of their homewares from plant materials like jute, palm leaf, and hogla grass. Their natural fiber baskets are flexile but sturdy built to hold blankets, pillows, laundry, magazines, toys, or just to stand alone as a decor piece. You’ll also find jute coasters and placemats in their tabletop collection.
The brand is committed to ethical practices, partnering with nonprofit fair trade artisan groups in Bangladesh and craftspeople in the U.S. to build long-lasting production relationships.
5. Ten Thousand Villages
Categories: Baskets, Pillows, Throws, Candles, Wall Art, Planters & Vases
Founded 80 years ago, Ten Thousand Villages is the original fair trade store. Throughout the decades, the nonprofit business has continued their commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, as well as sustainability.
As a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, with artisans around the world from under-resourced communities. Most of the products they carry are made from recycled, upcycled, and natural materials.
6. MagicLinen
Categories: Curtains, Kitchen Linens
Linen is an exceptional material for home decor — there’s a reason we say “kitchen linens!” It’s natural, beautiful, and is often high quality.
I purchased a set of linen curtains from Magic Linen one year ago and they remain one of my favorite home decor pieces. The fabric they use meets the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, meaning its been tested for harmful substances.
7. Passion Lilie
Categories: Pillow Covers, Table Linens
Passion Lilie is a fair trade fashion and lifestyle brand with ethically made home decor, too. The Fair Trade Verified brand has handwoven cotton blankets, organic cotton kitchen linens, unique ornaments, and hand-dyed throw pillow covers.
Each piece is made by Passion Lilie’s partners in India who pay living wages and ensure a safe working environment. Beyond this, the brand supports efforts to enable artisans to continually develop their skills and creates opportunities for community development.
8. 54kibo
Categories: Throw Pillows, Wall Hangings & Artwork, Mirrors, Baskets, Rugs, Lighting
A destination for modern African artisanal decor, 54kibo curates a stunning selection of ethically made home decor. The pieces on 54kibo are made with time-honored techniques using locally sourced materials with