Best Affordable & Sustainable Furniture Brands in the UK
Our mission at Zero Wasted is to help you make more informed decisions when trying to buy more consciously - we do all the research so you don't have to. We sometimes use affiliate links on our site. We only recommend products we love, that we think you will too.
If you're looking to furnish your home with eco-friendly and sustainable furniture, there are several brands in the UK that are leading the way, using materials like reclaimed wood and recycled materials to create stylish and functional pieces that are also environmentally conscious.
According to the Furniture Re-use Network, around 10 million items of furniture are thrown away each year in the UK, with the majority ending up in landfill. As the world becomes more aware of environmental issues, sustainable furniture is becoming an increasingly popular choice, but with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which brands offer the best eco-friendly and sustainable furniture. To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top sustainable furniture brands in the UK.
From reclaimed wood to recycled materials, these brands are leading the way in creating stylish and sustainable furniture that looks good and does good for the environment. We hope this list helps you find some inspiration.
What type of furniture is most sustainable?
Ultimately, the most sustainable furniture is furniture that is durable, made from sustainable materials, and can be repurposed or recycled at the end of its life. Here are 3 key things to look for:
RECLAIMED & RECYCLED
The most sustainable furniture is second-hand, repurposed, upcycled or made from recycled or reclaimed materials. This prevents additional resources being used, trees being cut down and results in less waste to landfill.
RESPONSIBLY SOURCED
Consideration given to the sourcing of materials like FSC certified wood which ensures it is harvested in a responsible way along with more renewable woods like mango wood and natural materials like bamboo, rattan and cork.
ETHICALLY MADE
It's great to support smaller artists and businesses who invest in traditional skills and techniques with ethical methods of production. Handcrafted items also tend to produce less waste, have more longevity and use more sustainable and high-quality materials.
What are the most sustainable materials for furniture?
Furniture plays an essential role in our daily lives, providing comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal to our homes and workplaces. However, with the growing concern for the environment, choosing eco-friendly materials for furniture is becoming increasingly important. From reducing carbon footprint to preserving natural resources, sustainable furniture materials offer numerous benefits to both the environment and our health. The list below explores some of the most sustainable wood and eco-friendly materials for furniture, including their features, benefits, and how they can help to create a more sustainable future for the planet.
List of services
-
Recycled Furniture
Recycled furniture, utilising materials like salvaged ocean waste and plastic bottles, significantly reduces the need for virgin materials while repurposing landfill and ocean waste. The 'Turn Me' chair/table from Impact Design Now exemplifies this sustainable practice. 3D printed from recycled ocean plastics, it highlights how yesterday's waste can be transformed into today's innovative and functional furniture.
-
Reclaimed WoodList Item 3
Reclaimed wood is wood that has been salvaged from old buildings, shipping pallets, warehouses, or other sources that would otherwise be discarded. Using reclaimed wood in furniture reduces the need to cut down new trees and gives new life to old wood, making it a great sustainable choice.
-
BambooList Item 1
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly types of wood for furniture because it is a fast-growing and renewable resource. It can be harvested every 3-5 years and can grow up to 91cm per day. Bamboo is also very strong and durable and has a unique texture and look. Graham & Green have some lovely Bamboo pieces.
-
Teak
Teak is a sustainable, durable, and long-lasting wood, resistant to rot, insects, and decay, making it ideal for furniture. It can grow without fertilizers or heavy irrigation and is eco-friendly due to its natural oils, making it pest-resistant. Teak sourced from reclaimed or salvaged sources further reduces its environmental impact, making it a wise choice for long-lasting and sustainable furniture.
-
Mango WoodList Item 2
Mango wood is a byproduct of the mango fruit industry and is considered an eco-friendly option because it uses the wood that would otherwise go to waste. In this sense, using mango wood for furniture can help reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of the mango industry. Mango trees have a relatively short growing cycle of 12-15 years. This allows farmers to plant more trees and provides them with a supplementary income.
-
Rattan & Wicker
Rattan is a sustainable and durable material for furniture due to its renewability and low environmental impact. It's fast-growing and abundant in tropical regions, making it a more sustainable alternative to hardwoods. Wicker, a method of weaving, traditionally uses rattan, bamboo, reed, or seagrass, but synthetic fibres should be avoided.
-
FSC-Certified WoodList Item 4
Furniture made from FSC-certified wood ensures responsibly managed forests and sustainable harvesting. It guarantees the sourcing of wood from known logging sites, where trees are replanted to allow forest regeneration.
-
Recycled Fabrics
Using recycled fabrics for furniture is sustainable as it reduces waste, conserves resources, and minimises environmental impact. Recycling textiles also saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of new fabrics.
-
Modular Furniture
Modular furniture is sustainable as it can be easily disassembled and reassembled to fit different spaces and needs, reducing the need for additional furniture. This versatility encourages the furniture to be kept for longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and the associated environmental impact. Check out 5 ways to style RAFT's modular sofas:
8 Tips: How to make your furniture more sustainable
By making conscious choices and adopting sustainable practices, we can reduce the impact of furniture on the environment. In this list, we will provide seven tips on how to make your furniture more sustainable, including ideas for reducing waste, choosing eco-friendly materials, and extending the life of your furniture. By taking these steps, you can make your furniture more sustainable and reduce your impact on the environment.
1. Buy secondhand: One of the easiest ways to make your furniture more sustainable is to buy secondhand. This keeps furniture out of landfills and reduces the need for new resources to create new furniture. Browse websites like
Preloved,
eBay,
Gumtree,
Freecycle and your local Facebay group on Facebook along with local charity shops and antiques stores near you. The thrill of the bargain is quite addictive and you know you're helping the environment too - double win!
2. Buy from clearance: Did you know you can also get huge discounts of up to 80% from some brands from their customer returns, ex-display units and older stock which prevents them from going to landfill? Check out Cult Furniture's Clearance Outlet, Graham & Green's Clearance and Clearcycle on eBay who offer brands like Heal's, Swoon, Cox & Cox and Oak Furniture Land.
3. Repurpose or upcycle: Instead of getting rid of old furniture, consider repurposing or upcycling it. You can give old furniture new life by painting it, reupholstering it, or using it for a new purpose. You'd be amazed at what a lick of paint can do to your furniture. Check out some upcycled furniture inspiration on Pinterest or buy refurbished furniture on Etsy.
4. Cherish your furniture: To extend the life of your furniture, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. Avoid exposing your furniture to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, and use coasters and placemats to protect surfaces. Repairing any damages as soon as they occur and regularly tightening screws and bolts can prevent further damage. Proper storage, such as covering furniture during storage, can also prevent damage and prolong its life.
5. Dispose of furniture responsibly: When it's time to get rid of old furniture, dispose of it responsibly. Donate it to a local charity, sell it online, or find a furniture recycling program in your area. You can arrange a
free collection with the British Heart Foundation or make some money by listing your furniture on
Preloved,
eBay,
Gumtree,
Freecycle or Facebay.
6. Choose sustainable materials: If you're buying new furniture, choose materials that are sustainable, such as those listed above and keep an eye out for furniture that has certifications, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which ensures that the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests and consider the durability and longevity of the materials as well.
7. Efficient use of resources and manufacturing: Sustainable furniture design aims to minimise waste and energy consumption throughout the entire production process. Look for companies that prioritise waste reduction such as packaging, reusing offcuts and recycling waste materials along with using energy-efficient production and renewable energy. Opt for local production and sourcing where possible, which reduces the environmental impact of shipping furniture long distances and supports local British economies.
8. Invest in quality: Investing in high-quality furniture that is built to last can help reduce the need for replacement and minimise the environmental impact of furniture production. Sustainable furniture design emphasises durability and longevity. This means designing furniture that is built to last, with high-quality materials and construction methods, to reduce the need for replacement. Take your time, and buy timeless pieces you'll know you'll want to keep for the longterm.
By taking these steps, you can make your furniture more sustainable and reduce your impact on the environment.
Best Sustainable Furniture Brands
Thank you for reading our guide on the best sustainable furniture brands in the UK. If there's a great brand you think we should feature let us know in the comments below or you can drop us a message - we love hearing from you!
🪑
Newsletter Signup
Sustainable Shopping Guides, Offers + Reviews.
Delivered to your inbox.
THE LATEST
Sustainable Shopping Guides
Good Things
...come to those who sign up to the newsletter. Sustainable shopping guides, offers and FYIs on all the good stuff.
