Best Eco-Friendly Sofa: Savvy Rest

Savvy Rest’s sustainable organic sofa is made with some of the best materials available for non-toxic couches. The brand uses Cradle-to-Cradle certified Natural Talalay latex foam and GOTS-certified organic hemp or organic cotton upholstery. Their sustainable couch is also made with organic wool batting, jute webbing, natural coir, and zero-VOC finishes.

Price Range: $3,799 – $4,099

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!

Shipping: Free White Glove delivery in continental U.S. Contact for quotes outside 48 contiguous states.

Best Luxury: Maiden Home

Maiden Home is a woman-founded brand crafting all of their furniture made-to-order in North Carolina to minimize waste and maximize quality.

They source their solid hardwood responsibly in line with the standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, their cushion cores (which are certified by CertiPUR-US®) are made from renewable soy-based foam, and the springs are made from recycled steel.

All of Maiden Home’s furniture is free of flame retardants, formaldehyde, or other harmful chemicals. And the brand uses water-based, low-VOC glues and stains whenever possible.

Price Range: $2,025 – $3,850

Ordering & Shipping: Made-to-order; Complimentary shipping and white glove delivery within 48 contiguous US states + some locations in Canada.

Best Affordable: Sabai

Beyond using sustainable and non-toxic materials like FSC-certified wood, CertiPUR-US® certified foam, and recycled fiber filling, this B-Corp certified furniture brand has programs to extend the life of their eco-friendly couches.

The first is their Repair Don’t Replace program where they sell various parts you can switch out and their Revive Program where you can send back your Sabai pieces in exchange for a percentage of the resale price when the piece is sold.

Price Range: $1,095 – $1,395

Shipping: Ships within the U.S.; shipping is carbon offset and packaging is 100% recycled.

Best Classic Styles: Medley

Free of harmful chemicals like fire retardants, and formaldehyde, Medley makes non-toxic sofas you can kick back in with peace of mind.

What materials does Medley use? For their non-toxic sofa cushions, you can choose from either CertiPUR-US® certified foam or organic natural latex. Their upholstery options are made up of Oeko-Tex certified fabrics and they use FSC-certified wood. Medley also uses water-based, VOC-free glue. This sustainable sofa brand has truly covered every detail.

Price Range: $1,545 – $3,105

Shipping: Ships out of the U.S. Contact Medley for a quote for shipping to other countries.

Best for Futons: Natural Home

Natural Home by Futon Shop has an impressive set of organic sofas non-toxic sectionals made from natural safe materials with the option to upgrade to organic materials like GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic wool.

Their sustainable couches and non-toxic sofa beds, all made in San Francisco, have frames made from responsibly-sourced kiln-dried wood and are available in fabrics like hemp and organic cotton.

Price Range: $1,500 – $5,395

Shipping: Ships within the continental U.S.

Best for Sectionals: Burrow

Burrow’s modular eco-friendly sofas are designed to be assembled and reconfigured with ease — meaning their pieces can stay with you for a lifetime, even through moves and family additions.

And their thoughtful design goes beyond convenience, Burrow’s comfy couches are made with CertiPUR-US® certified cushions and sustainably-sourced wood.

Price Range: $795 – $3,995

Shipping: Free shipping; ships within the continental U.S.

Best for Reassembly: Floyd

Floyd prides themselves on their minimally-designed furniture being as easy as possible to disassemble and reassemble to ensure your furniture lasts, even if you’re moving homes often.

Making use of fast fashion’s overflowing waste, Floyd partnered with Recover to launch a sofa made with upcycled textiles from the fashion industry.

Floyd also has a resale and refurbishment program, as part of the company’s waste and carbon emissions reduction goals.

Price Range: $2075+ for sofa | $2060+ for sectional

Shipping: Ships within contiguous U.S.; shipping fees vary

Best for Linen Sofas: Lee Industries

Green lifestyle retailer VivaTerra is a mecca for all things sustainable home — including eco-friendly sofas and sectionals sourced from manufacturer LEE Industries. As a founding Gold member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, LEE meets high standards for health and the environment. Their non-toxic sofas are all made in the U.S. from many mindful materials including linen, soy-based fillings, and recycled polyester.

Price Range: $4,295 – $6,895

Shipping: Ships within the U.S.

Luxury Organic Sofas: EcoBalanza

Dedicated to creating “the ultimate organic sofa”, EcoBalanza really has considered every single component. The Seattle-based boutique uses FSC-certified hardwood, GOLS-certified organic latex, certified non-toxic fabrics, natural kapuk fiber cushions, and organic cotton or responsibly-sourced wool batting. Read more about the materials they use for their non-toxic sofas here.

Price Range: $3,000 – $4,300; Couture Collection starts at $6,800

Ordering & Shipping: Couches are made-to-order. Learn more here.

Luxury Non-Toxic Sofas: PURE Upholstery

Made using non-toxic organic and natural ingredients, PURE Upholstery’s sustainable couches are free from toxic materials and ingredients, like chemical flame retardants.

The eco-friendly couches are made with certified organic or non-toxic natural fabrics, GOLS-Certified Organic Latex, FSC-certified solid wood, recycled steel springs, certified organic wool, and a natural wood finish. (More on their materials here!)

Price Range: $1,675 – $5,595

Shipping: Ships within the U.S.; more details + lead time here

For Sustainable Outdoor Sofas: Loll Designs

If you’re looking for an outdoor sustainable sofa, then Loll Designs is the brand to know.

Loll’s furniture is made in Duluth, Minnesota using recycled HDPE (which stands for high-density polyethylene), mostly from recycled milk jugs, as well as USA-made aluminum inserts. The cushions are made using Sunbrella acrylic (which is virgin plastic) though you could instead opt for their cushion-free sofa.

Outdoor sofas are going to be the toughest to find natural or non-toxic (unless you want to go cushion-free). But durability is a key feature to keep in mind.

Price Range: $1,395 – $2,995

Shipping: Ships to U.S. and internationally through their shipping partner Stackry

1. Savvy Rest

Savvy Rest creates functional, sustainable furniture with your health and the planet’s health in mind. The eco-friendly furniture brand sources only the best natural and organic materials for their non-toxic furnishings, like hemp and certified organic cotton fabric, natural Talalay latex, and responsibly sourced solid hardwood. You can also choose between a variety of zero-VOC stains or no finish for their wood furniture.

Furniture Categories: Sofas, Loveseats & Armchairs, Tables & Benches

(Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!)

2. Maiden Home

This woman-founded, direct-to-consumer brand handcrafts gorgeous sustainable furniture that’s designed to last for a lifetime. Maiden Home’s timeless pieces are made-to-order in North Carolina with exceptional care.

The eco friendly and ethical furniture brand uses solid hardwood that’s sourced in line with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards, CertiPUR-US® soy-based foam, and recycled steel springs. Additionally, Maiden Home does not use harmful chemicals such as flame retardants and works to source water-based, low VOC glues and stains.

Furniture Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Beds, Tables, Benches & Ottomans, Dining Tables, Dining Chairs & Stools

3. Made Trade

Made Trade is an online destination of ethically and sustainably made goods from brands around the globe. The site has a collection of eco-conscious and ethical furniture from reputable brands such as Masaya & Co and Emeco.

Brands featured on Made Trade source their materials responsibly and compensate their workers fairly. You can also sort by values like Women-Owned, BIPOC-Owned, and Vegan.

Furniture Categories: Dining & Side Tables, Chairs & Stools, Bookshelves, Desks, Benches & Ottomans

4. Medley

Medley Home is an eco-friendly furniture company that handcrafts their pieces in California with mindful materials. The company uses domestically-sourced hardwoods (no plywood here!) from FSC-certified forests and solid bamboo, which is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Medley Home’s wood pieces are finished naturally with a blend of beeswax, carnauba wax, and olive oil.

For foam, Medley sources only CertiPUR-US® certified foam or certified organic natural latex, and for textiles, the company uses GOTS-certified organic linings and other natural fabrics such as hemp and wool.

Furniture Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Dining & Side Tables, Dining Chairs, Beds, Storage, Benches & Ottomans

5. Avocado

Getting their start as a non-toxic mattress brand, Avocado now crafts eco-friendly furniture too.

The Certified B-Corporation crafts both their furniture in a FSC-certified facility in Los Angeles and uses materials like 100% reclaimed wood and responsibly-harvested American timber. Additionally, the majority of Avocado’s offerings have non-toxic certifications like Greenguard Gold and the MADE SAFE^® seal.

The brand has some gorgeous sustainable mid-century modern furniture pieces!

Furniture Categories: Beds, Nightstands & End Tables, Dressers, Benches & Ottomans

6. Thuma

Thuma makes environmentally friendly, modern and minimalistic platform beds. The brand’s platform bed frames are crafted with upcycled, repurposed rubberwood, and for every order made, Thuma plants a tree.

The Bed is thoughtfully designed for functionality and quality too—the conscious company even backs their pieces with a lifetime warranty. With Thuma’s direct-to-consumer model, their eco-friendly beds are also pretty affordable.

Furniture Categories: Beds Frames, Dressers, Nightstands & Side Tables

7. What WE Make

Based in Chicago, What WE Make is an environmentally friendly furniture company that crafts non-toxic modern furniture from reclaimed materials.

They salvage wood from Midwestern barns and make the furniture start to finish themselves in Chicago to ensure the highest quality. Each piece is completed with zero-VOC finishes.

Furniture Categories: Bathroom Vanities, Tables, Storage & Dressers, Dining Tables, Coffee Tables & Console Tables

8. Sabai

Sustainable by design, Sabai is an affordable sustainable furniture brand with modern, responsibly-made seating. They offer two repurposed fabric options — either recycled velvet or upcycled polypropylene — and the frames are made from FSC-certified wood. Sabai also uses mechanical fasteners in it’s upholstery process instead of glue, low-VOC stains for their domestic maple legs, recycled fiber fills, and certiPUR-US certified foam.

Plus, Sabai works with an ethical, fair wage manufacturer located domestically in North Carolina, which helps to minimize their shipping footprint.

Furniture Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Ottomans

9. Natural Home by The Futon Shop

As you might guess, The Futon Shop makes sustainable futons, but they also have other furniture like bed frames and sofas.

The woman-founded furniture and mattress company uses eco-friendly and non-toxic materials such as certified organic cotton cotton and wool, organic Dunlop latex, OEKO-Tex 100 certified coconut coir and hemp, and solid American hardwood.

Furniture Categories: Futons, Beds, Sofas & Sectionals

10. Greenington

Greenington is a bamboo furniture company with stunning, sustainably-crafted pieces for every room in your home: from the office to the bedroom.

Each piece is made from responsibly hand-harvested (never clear cut) Moso bamboo, which is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. Greenington also sources only mature bamboo to ensure maximum strength and durability.

Furniture Categories: Beds, Nightstands & Dressers, Desks, Bookcases & Shelving, Dining Tables, Chairs & Stools, Coffee & Side Tables, Cabinets & Credenzas

11. The Citizenry

Artisan home and lifeestyle retailer The Citizenry has a gorgeous selection of ethical furniture. Each piece is made from thoughtful quality materials like veg-tanned leather, solid wood, and linen.

Next to each product, you’ll learn more about the ethically-run artisan workshop that is crafting your fair trade furniture.

Furniture Categories: Ottomans & Benches, Chairs & Stools, Tables & Nightstands

12. Burrow

Handcrafted from durable materials like responsibly-sourced hardwood, Burrow’s eco-friendly furniture is designed to be your next heirloom. Burrow’s modular sofas are the true standouts: they’re designed to be assembled and configured in a variety of ways so you can customize them to your needs even through moves and family changes.

[Check out this guide for more eco-friendly sofas.]

Furniture Categories: seating, storage, tables, benches

13. Parachute

Inspired by nature, much of Parachute’s eco-friendly furniture is designed with organic shapes, like the coffee table pictured here.

From made-to-order beds crafted from solid hardwood and linen fabric to solid hardwood benches, this Carbon Neutral Certified business has stunning furniture for a variety of spaces in your home.

Furniture Categories: Beds, Sofas, Nightstands, Coffee & Side Tables, Chairs & Benches, Lighting

14. Saatva

Originally known for their sustainable mattresses, this company has now expanded into eco-friendly bedroom furniture.

The company has a 180-day trial and a lifetime warranty, showing that they are committed to quality and service.

Materials vary by product but some of the responsible materials Saatva uses include responsibly-sourced hardwood, linen upholstery, and foams that meet CertiPUR-US® standards. Several product pages also note that the product is adherent to the Toxic Substances Control Act and contains no VOCs.

Furniture Categories: Bed Frames, Chairs, Ottomans, Rugs

15. Healthier Homes

Founded by expert healthy home builders, Jen and Rusty Stout, Healthier Homes is committed to helping you curate a healthier indoor space.

The online marketplace sells natural furniture, organic decor and non-toxic paint & finishes. You’ll find furniture, from seating to accent tables, made from materials like teak, acacia, mango wood, and jute. And if you’re working on some DIY projects, be sure to check out their selection of zero VOC paints.

Furniture Categories: Chairs & Stools, Side Tables & Coffee Tables, Benches, Shelving

16. Vermont Wood Studios

Vermont Wood Studios is a sustainable wooden furniture company committed to producing responsibly-harvested furnishings, while also spreading awareness about the unsustainable and illegal logging taking place in the furniture industry. To date, the company has planted over 55,000 trees to restore the Amazon and other forests.

The company also pays their Vermont craftspeople fair wages and ensures good working conditions.

Furniture Categories: Dressers, Beds, Dining & Side Tables, Nightstands, Benches, Cabinets, Chairs, Desks, Bookcases & Chests, TV Stands

17. West Elm – Sustainably Sourced Collection

Furniture company West Elm has added sustainable collections to their offerings. The company defines “sustainably sourced” as furniture made either from reclaimed wood or FSC-certified wood from responsibly harvested sources.

Furniture Categories: bed frames, cribs, nightstands, dressers, nightstands, dining tables, chairs, benches, coffee tables, outdoor tables, bookcases, desks, sofas, and sectionals

18. Crate & Barrel – FSC Certified

Crate & Barrel is another major furniture company that has added an eco-friendly furniture collection to their offerings. The company has an expansive line of FSC-certified wood furniture for your dining room, living room, bedroom, kitchen, or even your outdoor patio. (More outdoor furniture brands here.)

Furniture Categories: dining tables, benches, accent chairs, ottomans, sofas, dressers, nightstands, and outdoor furniture

19. AptDeco

AptDeco is a mecca for buying and re-selling furniture in nearly every category from various brands—including West Elm, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. There’s also often quite a few beautiful vintage furniture available on the site.

Furniture Categories: bed frames, headboards, chairs, dressers, cabinets, nightstands, side tables, coffee tables, desks, sofas, mirrors, benches, storage, and more

20. Kaiyo

Kaiyo is a furniture resale site, but with a significant perk. They do all of the heavy lifting for you — literally. The company picks up the used furniture from the seller and delivers it right to you. Kaiyo also inspects and cleans the furniture on their marketplace.

Furniture Categories: bed frames, dining tables, coffee tables & end tables, office desks, sofas & chairs, benches & ottomans, storage, and more

21. Chairish

Chairish is an online destination to sell and buy used furniture, mostly vintage furniture. The secondhand furniture site has a massive collection of furniture in every category, no matter how specific, that you may be looking for. However, it is more expensive than other secondhand marketplaces since they have more of a focus on vintage furniture.

Furniture Categories: sofas, love seats, chairs, stools, dining tables, side tables, storage, bed frames, cabinets, shelving, dressers, nightstands, wardrobes, and more

1. Savvy Rest

Categories: Platform Beds, Sofas & Chairs, Tables & Benches

Shipping: Ships within continental U.S.; Contact for shipping quotes for elsewhere

A leader in organic and natural furniture, Savvy Rest is a certified B-Corp with living room and bedroom furniture made from sustainably-sourced, safe-for-you materials. 

Savvy Rest uses responsibly- regionally-sourced solid wood and zero-VOC stains (or leaves pieces unfinished). Their upholstered furniture is crafted from certified organic cotton and hemp fabrics, as well as Eco Institut-certified Dunlop and Talalay latex.

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!

2. Made Trade

Categories: Stools, Beds, Rocking Chairs, Accent Chairs, Tables & Benches

Shipping: Ships within continental U.S.

Furnishing your home mindfully is about to get a lot easier with the help of the collection of sustainable furniture on Made Trade

This woman-owned, Climate Neutral Certified sustainable online store has earth-minded and low-VOC furniture made from recycled materials like aluminum and plastic bottles, responsibly harvested hardwood, and other natural materials like rattan and bamboo.

Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE for $20 off your first order of $150+

3. Avocado

Categories: Bed Frames, Dressers, Side Tables & Nightstands, Benches

Shipping: Ships furniture within the contiguous U.S.

Another exciting brand in the world of non-toxic furniture is Avocado. This B-Corp creates wooden furniture using either 100% solid FSC-certified maple hardwood, solid walnut, or 100% reclaimed solid Douglas fir. The furniture is completed using zero-VOC finishes and safe fumeless wood glue — all of which are made in the United States.

Avocado also offers several certified non-toxic furniture pieces that have been GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions and Formaldehyde Free certified by UL Environment. And, each piece of furniture is made in Avocado’s own FSC-certified LA woodshop. 

4. Maiden Home

Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs, Beds, Dining Tables & Coffee Tables, Ottomans & Benches, Dining Chairs & Stools

Shipping: White glove delivery within contiguous U.S. for flat fee 

This woman-founded direct-to-consumer furniture brand takes their commitment to quality and sustainability seriously. Each piece is individually handcrafted by upholstery and wood artisans in the North Carolina region using eco-minded materials like responsibly sourced hardwood and recycled steel springs.

Their furniture is free of flame retardants, formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals and their soy-based foam cushion cores are certified by CertiPUR-US®. Maiden Home also uses water-based, low-VOC glues and stains whenever possible. (You may want to inquire about a specific piece when ordering.)

5. Medley

Categories: Sofas & Chairs, Bed Frames, Nightstands, Storage, Dining Tables & Chairs, Benches & Desks

Shipping: Ships from the U.S.; Contact Medley for a quote if shipping outside of the U.S.

Made-to-order from quality materials in LA, Medley’s non-toxic furniture for the bedroom, living room, dining room, and office is sturdy and sustainably made.

Medley’s furniture frames are made with FSC-certified domestically-sourced alder hardwood and their tables are crafted from FSC-certified solid walnut and maple.*

And the brand offers a few natural fabric options including hemp and OEKO-TEX 100-certified wool. For cushions, choose between organic Dunlop latex (non-toxic option) or CertiPUR-US®-certified poly foam.

6. Natural Home by the Futon Shop

Categories: Bed & Futon Frames, Dressers, Sofas & Sectionals, Side Tables & Coffee Tables 

Shipping: Within contiguous U.S.; custom quotes for shipping elsewhere; offers free in-store pickup

As the name suggests, this furniture brand sells futons and futon frames, but they also offer other natural furniture, like side & coffee tables as well as non-toxic couches & sectionals. 

The Futon Shop has Amish furniture handmade from solid wood (maple, walnut, oak, or cherry) that was harvested from sustainably managed forests and hand-rubbed with a no-VOC natural linseed oil finish. Each piece is handcrafted by Amish craftspeople in Pennsylvania with care, to ensure your piece lasts a lifetime. 

7. Healthier Homes

Categories: Chairs & Stools, Tables & Benches, Desks

Shipping: Within Contiguous U.S.

Healthier Homes offers a curated selection of non-toxic furniture crafted with quality and sustainability in mind. Their selections of seating, tables, and accent furniture is made from solid wood, natural fabrics and metal, all finished with eco-minded non-toxic finishes.

The non-toxic furniture company also sells non-toxic paints, including cabinet and furniture lacquer.

8. Sabai

Categories: Sofa & Sectional, Ottoman, Chair & Loveseat

Shipping: Free shipping within continental U.S.; shipments to HI & AK incur additional fees 

This affordable sustainable furniture company has a simple, yet sophisticated non-toxic sofa and other seating for your living space that is free of formaldehydes or toxic flame retardants.

Sabai uses FSC-certified wood for the furniture frames, domestically sourced maple for the legs, CertiPUR-US certified foam for the cushions, and recycled fiber fill for the pillows. For the upholstery fabric, customers can select between OEKO-TEX 100 Standard and Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certified recycled velvet or GREENGUARD Gold-certified upcycled poly. 

9. Green Cradle

Categories: Dressers, Chests & Armoires, Bookcases, Nightstands, Cribs

Shipping: Ships within the U.S. and to Canada

Green Cradle crafts 100% solid wood, non-toxic dressers, storage furniture, and cribs in the United States. 

The company sources local, sustainably-sourced woods, including maple, red oak, hard maple, cherry, and walnut and they use a zero-VOC finish (flaxseed/linseed oil) for all of their furniture. This oil is free of synthetic preservatives, heavy metals, carcinogens, polyurethanes, and other toxic chemicals.

And, as one of the only brands on this list with non-toxic cribs, Green Cradle is the place to go if you’re furnishing your little one’s nursery.

10. Masaya & Co

Categories: Beds, Sofas & Chairs, Shelves & Storage, Dining Tables & Chairs, Side Tables & Benches, Outdoor Furniture

Shipping: Within the U.S.

Masaya & Co is a sustainable furniture brand that not only commits to responsible wood sourcing, but is actively restoring forests in Nicaragua. The brand plants 100 trees for every product sold and to date, the company has planted 1 million trees.

The heirloom-quality furniture is made from locally-sourced solid tropical hardwood (teak, rosita walnut, and royal mahogany) and crafted in Nicaragua by skilled artisans. These hardwoods are dried in solar kilns on-site and each product is finished with a low-VOC natural oil or water-based poly finish.

11. My Green Mattress

Categories: Bed Frames

Shipping: Within U.S. and Canada

When it comes to your bedroom, you want your indoor air quality to be as healthy as possible. And My Green Mattress has a non-toxic bed frame to meet those needs.

The mattress brand has a simple and affordable eco-friendly bed frame made from untreated domestically-grown Poplar wood — in other words, it’s free from wood stains, adhesives, or any other toxic chemicals. 

12. VivaTerra

Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs & Seating, Benches & Stools, Cabinets & Chests, Desks, Shelves, Dining Tables & Chairs

Shipping: Within the U.S.

VivaTerra is a green lifestyle retailer that has a selection of eco-minded and non-toxic furniture and home decor.

You’ll find elegant pieces made from materials like sustainably-sourced solid wood, 100% reclaimed wood, flax linen fabric, seagrass rope, rattan, and sturdy metal. Much of the furniture is also expertly made by skilled furniture artisans.

13. West Elm Greenguard Certified

Categories: Beds & Cribs, Dressers & Storage, Consoles & Hutches, Desks & Chairs

Shipping: Within U.S.; doorstep or white glove delivery available

Well-known furniture retailer West Elm has a strong selection of non-toxic furniture that is GREENGUARD Certified to be low VOC. This certification indicates that the furniture has been tested to meet strict chemical emissions limits.

West Elm also has other sustainability filters like sustainably-sourced (FSC-certified wood typically), Fair Trade (made in a Fair Trade Certified factory) and Contract-Grade (made to last).

14. What We Make

Categories: Bathroom Vanities, Desks & Office Furniture, Bookcases & Storage, Coffee & End Tables, Chairs, Stools & Benches, Dining & Pub Tables

Shipping: Within U.S.

What We Make is an impressive sustainable non-toxic furniture brand based in the Chicago area. They use reclaimed barn wood to make each furniture item made to order.

The non-toxic furniture brand finishes their pieces with an oil-based VOC-free finish that doesn’t contain hazardous chemicals.

15. Vermont Woods Studios

Categories: Beds, Storage, Side Tables & Coffee Tables, Dining Tables & Chairs, Desks & Bookcases

Shipping: Ships to all 50 U.S. states; international shipping

Founded by a husband-and-wife / woodworker-and-conservationist team, Vermont Woods Studios is committed to creating exceptionally high quality and sustainable furniture. 

Vermont Woods Studio sources responsibly-harvested North-American hardwoods for their non-toxic bedroom, dining room, living room, and office furniture. The company also uses low-to-no VOC finishes, such as a GREENGUARD certified lacquer finish, linseed oil, tung oil, and carnauba wax.

Each piece is expertly handcrafted to order in Vermont by furniture craftsmen — their non-toxic furniture even comes with a lifetime warranty.

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.

Check Out Savvy Rest’s Armchair

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

Check Out Maiden Home

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

Check Out Accent Chairs and Dining Chairs

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

Check Out Sabai

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

Check Out The Citizenry

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

Check Out Medley’s Armchairs

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.

Check Out noho

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.

Check Out Burrow’s Armchairs

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

Check Out West Elm

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+)

Check Out Dining Chairs and Living Room Chairs 

1. Outerknown

Move over coastal grandma, Outerknown has been mastering the laid-back coastal lifestyle look since 2014. Co-founded by surfing legend, Kelly Slater, the brand is known for its après surf style offerings that include cozy blanket shirts to layer up in, crew neck sweaters, relaxed fit denim, and a lot more that are made from conscious materials like organic cotton, hemp blends, along with recycled polyester and nylon for its performance wear, like the high-performance swim trunks that were developed and tested by the pro-surfer himself.

What you’ll find: casuals, activewear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

2. Patagonia

Your next outdoor adventure will feel all the more relaxing when you know your clothes and gear were made with the pristine nature around you in mind.

A company that recently made headlines after founder Yvon Chouinard gave the business away to fight the climate crisis, sporting Patagonia gear is also about standing for a better way to do business. 

Expect to find high-performance gear and clothing made from the most mindful materials and recycled fibers that are making a difference. For used Patagonia apparel and gear, check out their Worn Wear site.

What you’ll find: outdoor clothing, casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

3. Asket

Curating a lasting wardrobe is not too dissimilar to building a retirement portfolio. Just like valuable assets, your clothes should be in it for the long haul and offer a higher return on investment. But every portfolio needs an advisor, and there’s no brand that offers high-quality wardrobe perennials like Asket. 

Their permanent collection is chock full of everyday essentials that’ll outlive passing trends and seamlessly transition from season to season and is crafted from materials like organic cotton, TENCEL Lyocell, reclaimed wool, and recycled cashmere.

What you’ll find: business casuals, casual wear, intimates, and other everyday essentials 

Price: $$-$$$

4. Toad&Co

A mission-driven brand that started out by offering outdoor gear, Toad&Co now creates ethically made men’s clothing items that work for everyday adventures like comfortable activewear, cozy loungewear, smart casuals, and snuggle-worthy outerwear crafted in the best eco-friendly materials.

The brand also partners with a warehouse that employs and trains individuals for disabilities, while facilitating outdoor adventures for them, for some of whom, these trips have been the first adventures they’ve ever had.

What you’ll find: casuals, activewear, outdoor clothing, and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

5. Kotn

If you’re searching for timeless pieces that don’t adhere to ever-changing trends and were made to last in a sea of throwaway clothing, then look no further. Kotn’s range of elevated everyday basics comes in minimalist neutrals that can easily work with your existing wardrobe and help you level up your style quotient. 

Made from low-impact fibers like linen, lyocell, organic cotton, and other cotton varieties, the brand uses its profits to help fund the education of children in rural Egypt, where some of its cotton is grown. 

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$-$$$ 

6. No Nasties

No Nasties is an Indian sustainable clothing brand that creates everyday essentials for men in organic materials using no nasty processes, just as its namesake so aptly suggests. 

With “emit less, balance the rest” as its mantra, the brand offsets the carbon footprint of every product they make, while also eliminating waste, and upcycling its overstock fabrics into new styles.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear

Price: $$

7. unspun

Ever dreamed of owning a pair of well-fitted denim jeans that don’t require a belt to stay in place? The denim makers at unspun are here to make those dreams come true. 

Unspun creates customized jeans on a made-to-order basis using a 3D scan of your body to offer you the best fit ever. Their denim is crafted from organic cotton material and processed with low-impact dyes using water that’s recycled and fed back into the system.

The bonus: If you’re dissatisfied with the fit, they’ll alter it for you free of charge! 

Intrigued to know more? We broke down the steps on how you can get a custom-made pair from them online in this guide. 

Price: $$$

8. Neem

Inspired by the Indian tree known for its healing properties, Neem was created as an “antiseptic” to fast fashion with its range of sustainable power casuals that’ll help you look slick while going easy on the environment.

From t-shirts to shirts, overshirts, and some complementing accessories, Neem crafts its clothes using recycled and regenerative fibers for the most part along with GOTS certified organic cotton, ZQ Merino, or unwanted stock. 

All of their products are tested for a full lifecycle analysis and the brand also encourages its UK-based customers to send in their worn-out menswear for recycling – whether it’s a Neem product or not – in exchange for £30 credit towards their next purchase. 

What you’ll find: smart casuals

Price: $$-$$$ 

9. Grailed

A secondhand online marketplace with no shortage of menswear, Grailed is a great place to explore the coolest streetwear finds, along with designer pieces from the likes of Balenciaga, Dior, Gucci, and many more in near-mint condition if you’re in the market for a budgeted luxury buy.

All of their big-ticket designer items have been authenticated using a combination of human and machine moderation to help ensure everything you buy is legit. 

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear, and business casuals

Price: $$-$$$$

10. Story mfg.

For the men who enjoy sporting a great print on their clothing, appreciate art, and sartorially enjoy channeling their hippie side, Story mfg. has everything you need. With a high focus on craft and non-toxic clothing processes, the brand even states that they carry out the natural dyeing in a re-planted forest where all of their waste is used to fertilize the gardens right after.

Consider this your one-stop shop for print-happy graphic t-shirts, patchwork jackets, and hand-knitted sweatshirts. 

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

11. Harvest & Mill

If you ask us, sustainability starts with everyday essentials. Right from the pajamas you wear, to the tees you have on rotation, knowing that your day-to-day basics were made responsibly, locally, and can be composted at the end of their life will bring you a level of eco-ease. That’s the sort of confidence you can have in the organic cotton essentials from Harvest & Mill.

All of their pieces are crafted from natural, dye-free organic cotton, some of which are made from heirloom variety cotton that naturally grows in shades of brown, green, and red.

What you’ll find: everyday casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

12. Armedangels

Armedangels is a German brand that’s creating sustainably-minded everyday basics. Think t-shirts, shirts, polos, knitwear, outerwear, and denim, everything that lays the very foundation of your wardrobe, but made better. 

With a special focus on creating low-impact denim, their DetoxDenim range is free from the slew of toxic dyes and chemicals that are usually found in the production process of conventional jeans. While their Circular denim is mechanically recycled and consists of 20% recycled organic cotton residues and waste from their own production.  

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear 

Price: $$-$$$ 

13. De Bonne Facture

Derived from the French expression that describes “a way of doing things well”, De Bonne Facture marries Parisian style with skilled craftsmanship to bring you sophisticated separates made from the finest eco-conscious materials.

With high importance on provenance, each piece comes with a hangtag detailing the name, locality, and history of the atelier that made it, just like fine French wine.

What you’ll find: casual wear, business casuals, loungewear 

Price: $$$ 

14. Ecoalf

Born out of the vision to stop carelessly using natural resources, Ecoalf creates most of its clothing using recycled materials, predominantly ocean plastic. Since 2015, the brand has been collecting plastic waste with help from the fishing industry and transforming it into yarn and fabrics to produce high-quality sustainable clothing for men and women.

From slick streetwear casuals to loungewear essentials and weather-resistant clothing, Ecoalf has everything you need to hit the slopes or streets in style.

What you’ll find: streetwear, activewear, outdoor clothing, and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

15. Opera Campi

Opera Campi is an Italian made-to-order men’s slow fashion brand that uses hemp as its hero fabric. Full of enduring everyday styles that speak to the minimalist aesthetic, their hemp fabric comes in all-natural and woolen blends to suit your seasonal needs. 

We love the fact that they’ve invented a “moon button” from a sustainable metal that gets its namesake from the patinated look it achieves after being buried in microorganism-rich soil for three days.

What you’ll find: casual wear, loungewear 

Price: $$-$$$ 

16. Nudie Jeans Co.

If you’re in the market for a fresh pair of lifetime-quality jeans, then look no further. Nudie Jeans Co. creates its denim material from 100% organic cotton in a wide variety of washes and styles. The brand also repurposes and recycles its used jeans to resell them as secondhand styles.

We love the fact that each one of their fit styles has a quirky name to it instead of the run-of-the-mill straight, slim, or wide leg. Whether you’re leaning towards a Lean Dean, Rad Rufus, Thin Finn, or Gritty Jackson, there’s a fit style to suit every taste.

What you’ll find: denim jeans, along with casual wear and loungewear pieces

Price: $$-$$$ 

17. Olderbrother

Featuring cool casuals in a color palette defined by nature, Olderbother is a men’s sustainable fashion brand that treats its clothing using nature-derived hues from oak tree barks, gooseberries, turmeric, and other plant sources. The resulting colors feature intentional imperfections and unevenness that will become darker when exposed to the sun and over time. 

Primarily crafted from organic cotton, their range of elevated casual wear also features unique blends of wool, woven rice paper, and linen. 

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$$

18. JCRT

JCRT is a zero waste men’s slow fashion brand that creates all things plaid in polished styles on a made-to-order basis. But, don’t let their love of plaid intimidate you, these tartans come in cool color combinations, while some pieces are remixed with elements like skulls, journal notes, shapes, and symbols to create a unique print that’s processed using low-impact dyes and less water, compared with traditional garment production.

What you’ll find: casual wear and loungewear

Price: $$-$$$

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers

1. Medley

Inspired by their sustainability-minded parents, Medley was founded by two brothers based in California. Their all-natural, bio-based beeswax finish is even named after their dad. Medley creates sustainable bookcases and other storage furniture from locally sourced, 100% solid wood from FSC-certified forests.

Price: $1,995-$2,895

Materials: Solid Hard White Maple, American Walnut Wood

Conscious Highlights: Custom Made, Locally Made, FSC-Certified, Family Run

Check out Medley

2. Greenington

Based out of Washington, Greenington is a furniture company with pieces crafted from sustainably hand-harvested Moso bamboo. Greenington sources mature bamboo for maximum strength and durability. The brand makes sustainable bookshelves and bookcases, as well as a full collection of bamboo furniture. 

Price: $132-$5,289

Materials: Moso Bamboo

Conscious Highlights: Zero-waste Production, ISO certified factories, Handcrafted, BIPOC owned

Check out Greenington @ Lumens Light + Living | @ Modern Digs 

3. Emeco

Emeco handcrafts their durable, sustainable furniture locally, in Pennsylvania. They use recycled aluminum and responsibly-harvested wood for their sustainable shelves and bookcases  and their furniture is free of VOCs and toxic chemicals.

Price: $3,871-$4,883

Materials: Recycled Aluminum, Sustainably Harvested Walnut, Ash, or Acoya

Conscious Highlights: FSC Certified, Cradle to Gold Certified, Vegan

Check out Emeco

4. Masaya & Co

Masaya & Co has a stunning collection of sustainable shelves and bookcases handcrafted by artisans in Nicaragua. Their shelves are made to order from responsibly-harvested wood and feature a low-VOC finish. Masaya & Co originated as a reforestation project in Nicaragua, and continues to embody that ethos by planting 100 trees for each item they sell. 

Price: $1,600-$2,800

Materials: Royal Mahogany, Teak, Rosita Walnut

Conscious Highlights: Handcrafted, Plants Trese, Vegan

Check out Masaya & Co

5. West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection

West Elm’s sustainably sourced collection is a great place to find an eco-friendly bookshelf or bookcase. Among this collection, you’ll find furniture that is made from FSC-Certified wood, pieces made in Fair Trade Certified factories, and items with the Greenguard Gold seal.

Price: $90- $2,399

Materials: Solid Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Conscious Highlights: Fair Trade, FSC Certified, Greenguard Gold Certified

Check out West Elm

6. Crate & Barrel FSC-Certified

Crate & Barrel’s FSC-Certified collection features bookshelves made with materials like solid oak, mahogany wood, teak, and rattan. And you can find a range of styles and finishes in their collection, from natural oak to espresso and driftwood.

It’s worth noting that the company’s bookshelves do contain veneer and engineered wood as well, like most furniture with shelving or drawers. Some products do indicate low-emissions engineered wood.

Price: $799 – $3,200

Materials: FSC-Certified Wood (with some parts made with engineered wood)

Conscious Highlights: Natural Materials, Responsibly Sourced

Check out Crate & Barrel

7. Burrow

Burrow’s modular storage systems — which can be used as bookshelves — are designed to grow with you. Add units to expand your bookshelf or media center storage or separate units to create several pieces of furniture

Price: $299 – $2,189

Materials: Engineered Wood and Steel

Conscious Highlights: Modular and Adaptable, Durable

Check out Burrow

8. Vermont Woods Studios

Vermont Woods Studios has gorgeous solid wood bookcases sourced from sustainably-managed forests in Vermont. They offer a lifetime guarantee and even allow you to order samples of their wood to ensure you’ll love the final product. They also partner with 1% for the planet to support reforestation of the Amazon Rainforest. 

Price: $1206-$9648

Materials: Cherry, Walnut, Maple, and Oak Hardwood

Conscious Highlights: Custom Made, Local Sourcing, Gives Back, Woman-Owned

Check out Vermont Wood Studios

9. Green Cradle

Green Candle is a family-run company that specializes in solid wood furniture, including wood bookcases and shelves. They craft each eco-friendly bookshelf from trees harvested sustainably and locally and use an all natural flaxseed oil finish free of toxins. 

Price: $1,295-$1,395

Materials: 100% Solid Wood

Conscious Highlights: Locally Sourced, Locally Made

Check out Green Cradle

1. Avocado

Beautifully designed and built to last, Avocado Mattress uses either sustainably-harvested hardwood (solid walnut or maple) or reclaimed wood for their sustainable dressers, nightstands and other storage furniture. They also have bed frames if you want a matching set in your bedroom.

Everything is made in the company’s own FSC-certified Los Angeles woodshop.

Categories: Dressers, Nightstands

Price Range: $750+

Check Out Avocado

2. Maiden Home

Elegantly handcrafted by expert furniture craftspeople in North Carolina, Maiden Home has beautiful sustainable bedroom furniture, including solid wood dressers and nightstands.

The dressers are made-to-order from solid wood and low VOC finishes.

Maiden Home is a woman-owned direct-to-consumer furniture company dedicated to creating timeless, quality furniture made with responsibly sourced materials.

Categories: Nightstands, Dressers

Price Range: $2,900 – $5,275

Check out Maiden Home

3. Medley

Medley’s sustainable storage pieces like their dressers are handmade to order in California. The wide dresser pictured here comes in maple or walnut sourced domestically in the US.

The tops and sides are solid wood and plywood is used elsewhere (as is typical with furniture with drawers). The piece is finished with non-toxic natural beeswax.

Categories: Dressers, Credenzas

Price Range: $995+

Check Out Medley

4. West Elm Sustainably Sourced Collection

West Elm is getting serious about sustainability with eco-friendly storage furniture that’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified, crafted in Fair Trade Certified facilities, made from responsibly-sourced wood, and/or Contract Grade (i.e. high quality + durable).

Categories: Dressers, Nightstands

Price Range: $599+

Check Out West Elm

5. Thuma

Designed for maximum functionality and versatility, Thuma’s 100% upcycled solid wood and Greenguard Gold Certified dressers give you endless options.

Configure a couple drawers for a nightstand and add on more drawers vertically or horizontally for a full dresser that can fit any space.

The modular setup may be especially useful for families with evolving needs or those who are moving frequently. You can add on more drawers if your needs grow or separate a large dresser into two smaller ones — the options really are endless.

Price Range: $790 – $3,495

Categories: Modular Storage: Dresser, Nighstand, Multipurpose Storage

Check out Thuma

6. Masaya & Co

Originally founded as a reforestation project, Masaya & Co is committed to responsible sourcing for all of their sustainable storage furniture. Each piece — from bookshelves to credenzas — is constructed by skilled artisans in Nicaragua from 100% solid wood. Masaya & Co’s furniture is available in teak, mahogany, or walnut and most items are made to order.

Price Range: $940+

Categories: Dressers, Credenzas, Shelves, TV Stands / Media Cabinets

Check Out Masaya & Co

7. Crate & Barrel FSC-Certified

Crate & Barrel has a vast selection of FSC-certified wood storage furniture, including dressers, chests, and full wardrobes or armoires.

You’ll find an array of woods and finishes as well, from weathered rustic natural wood to dark espresso-finished wood.

Price Range: $499+

Categories: Dressers, Nightstands, Armoires & Wardrobes

Check out Crate & Barrel’s FSC-Certified Collection

1. Made Trade

Materials: Recycled Aluminum, Reclaimed Wood, Sustainably-Sourced Wood

Highlights: Durable, Repurposed Materials, Suitable For Outdoors

Price: $460+

Sustainable lifestyle retailer Made Trade has a selection of eco-friendly stools designed to last for lifetimes. Their sustainable bar stools and counter stools from Emeco are made in Pennsylvania from repurposed materials and are designed to commercial-grade standards. Many options are also suitable for use as outdoor furniture!

2. Maiden Home

Materials: Solid Ash or Oak Wood | Fabric or Leather Upholstery

Highlights: Handmade to Order in North Carolina, Woman-Founded, Solid Wood

Price: $850+

Maiden Home is a women-founded direct-to-consumer furniture brand with some of the most gorgeous earth-minded furniture you’ll find. And that includes their organic, contemporary sustainable bar stools and counter stools that are expertly crafted to order by North Carolina furniture artisans just for you.

3. Medley

Materials: Domestically Sourced Wood, CertiPUR-US®-certified foam

Highlights: Made-to-Order, Crafted in California, Solid Wood, In-Home Trial

Price: $695

Handcrafted in California to your specifications with quality sustainable materials — like domestic solid alder, walnut, and maple wood — Medley’s sleek modern furniture is as sustainable as it is beautiful. The company has one eco-friendly counter stool available, called the Jasmi Counter Stool as well as other dining chairs.

4. Greenington

Materials: Solid Moso Bamboo, Some Leather Upholstery

Highlights: Tree-Free, Ergonomic Design

Price: $630+

Greenington is among the most popular sustainable furniture brands for a reason. As a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, Greenington uses 100% solid Moso bamboo for their furniture — a material they claim is 20% harder than red oak. They offer eco-friendly counter stools and bar stools in a stunning variety of finishes.

5. VivaTerra

Materials: Teak Wood, Banana Bark,, Repurposed and Reclaimed Wood

Highlights: Natural and Recycled Materials, Artisan Handmade

Price: $379+

Green lifestyle online retailer VivaTerra has plenty of sustainable stools, including bar stools, counter stools, bathroom stools, accent stools, and garden stools. You can even find a full kitchen island set or repurposed barrel bar set, each complete with two stools. Check out the product icons to see each item’s sustainability qualities.

6. Pottery Barn

Materials: Reclaimed Wood, Recycled Aluminum, Recycled Plastic 

Highlights: Expertly Crafted, Natural and Repurposed Materials

Price: $159+

Furniture brand Pottery Barn has recently been expanding their sustainably sourced collection, so you may just find your new eco-friendly bar and counter stools there. Their collection features stools made from reclaimed and recycled materials in a range of aesthetics, from farmhouse chic to mid-century modern.

7. West Elm

Materials: Sustainably-Sourced Wood

Highlights: Quality Products, Use of Some Responsible Materials

Price: $219

Another larger furniture retailer with a sustainably sourced collection is West Elm. Their selection is a bit smaller, but you can still find an eco-friendly bar stool / counter stool made from FSC-Certified wood from responsibly managed forests or contract-grade mango wood sourced from trees that no longer produce fruits.

1.    Do a closet audit

The start of a new year is the perfect time to deep dive into your closet, reorganize, and take stock of the clothing you already have by doing a closet audit. This can also help you rediscover pieces that may have been tucked away for a while. While you are reorganizing your closet, try to arrange it seasonally, so that when you come back the next season, it really feels like you are discovering something new. Doing a closet audit will also help you be more intentional in your purchases since you have a clearer idea of what you have and what you may still want to add to your wardrobe. You can use this very helpful guide, created by Alyssa Beltempo, to help you get started with your closet audit.

2.    Try a ‘no new clothes’ challenge

Challenge yourself to not buy anything new for a set amount of time. Some people do it for a year, but it could also be shorter. By removing yourself from the endless cycle of consumption that defines the fast fashion industry, you can take a step back and heal your relationship with fashion while redefining what “enough” means to you, getting creative with what you already have, and saving time and money!

3.    Shop your closet

You know how the saying goes: The most sustainable garments are the ones you already own. Challenge yourself to get creative and make new outfit combinations using clothing you already own. This also helps you gain a deeper understanding of your personal style. To get started, you can channel sustainable wardrobe stylist, Alyssa Beltempo’s, ethos of ‘more creativity, less consumption’ and check out her YouTube channel for inspiration on how you can incorporate this into your own life. You can even try using an app, like Whering or the Stylebook, to help you create new looks from your old wardrobe.

4.    Keep wearing (and loving) your old fast fashion pieces

Actively working through your eco-guilt by continuing to wear – and love! – the fast fashion pieces you bought in the past is an important step in your slow fashion journey. Everybody has old fast fashion pieces in their closet. Getting rid of them creates unnecessary waste and perpetuates the idea that slow fashion has to look a specific way. The best thing you can do is keep them, find ways to love them, wear them, mend them, and make them last as long as you possibly can.

5.    Become a proud outfit repeater

Despite what social media will have us believe, there is so much joy in outfit repeating! Normalizing outfit repeating is so important for changing the mentality that we always need to be wearing something new. So, repeat the outfits that make you feel good and wear them with pride. This doesn’t mean that you have to wear the same outfit every day, but maybe you can play around with different ways of styling your garments and accessories. If you want to find some inspiration, follow the hashtags #proudoutfitrepeater,  #rewearthat, and #reweardontcare.

6.    Normalize borrowing clothing from friends and family

If you are going to an event or have been eyeing that dress in your friend’s closet every time they wear it, why not ask if you can borrow it for a little bit? You can even offer to return the favor and ask them if there is anything in your wardrobe that they have been eyeing. You’re saving money, keeping impulse buys at bay, and it really does give you the same rush as trying on a brand-new garment.

7.    Swap before you shop

Clothing swaps are a form of circular fashion because they allow us to extend the lifespans of clothing that is already in circulation while satisfying our desire for novelty. Swapping allows you to switch up your wardrobe, without buying anything new, and it’s usually very cost-effective. If you are looking for a few tips for attending a clothing swap, or for how to host a swap of your own, check out this article. If you’d like to give online swapping a try, take a look at Swap Society (US), Nuw (UK), or The Fashion Pulpit (Singapore).

8.    Shop secondhand

If you are looking to add some new-to-you pieces to your wardrobe, consider shopping secondhand. Buying secondhand clothing, instead of new pieces, extends the lifespan of that garment and saves it from going to waste, which is an important aspect of circular fashion. Have a browse through your local secondhand markets, thrift stores, or consignment shops.  If you’d prefer to browse online, there are loads of online secondhand stores where you can shop – and sell – preloved fashion.

9.    Give rental a try

Special occasions often lead to impulse buys that are worn once or twice and then end up collecting dust in the back of the closet or going to waste. If you are looking for an outfit for a special occasion or event, and nothing in your wardrobe is inspiring you, you can give clothing rental a try. Generally, peer-to-peer rental platforms are more sustainable models. A few platforms to look into include ByRotation, Tulerie, and Wardrobe.

10. Learn to mend and repair

Whether you are into visible or invisible mending, learning to mend and repair are slow fashion skills that allow us to define ourselves as more than just consumers and help us wear our loved clothes for longer. If you want to learn to mend, there are some insightful channels on YouTube with tutorials that go right back to the basics, such as The Essentials Club and Repair What You Wear. Another useful resource is The Fixing Fashion Academy by Fixing Fashion, which is a free, open-source platform with tutorials on how to repair and upcycle clothes. Or, if you don’t have the time to learn, you can consider making use of a local, small mending or tailoring business that can repair your clothes for you.

11. Start a DIY project

This could be anything from beading a necklace or learning how to use natural dyes, to figuring out how to crochet or making a scrunchie. Working with your hands is not only a great way to practice mindfulness, but it also brings you closer to the process of making and fosters a greater sense of appreciation for the effort and energy that goes into making the clothes and accessories that we wear. When you pour love and care into making something of your own, it starts to undo the culture of disposability that we have all been encouraged to take on.

12. Learn how to take care of your clothing, sustainably

Caring for your clothes properly will make them last longer, which is such a win! Firstly, take the time to read the care labels on your clothing to make sure that you are properly taking care of them. But also, learn how to adjust your clothing care routine so that it is as sustainable as possible. This includes washing your clothes less, at lower temperatures, and trying to use eco-friendly detergents. If you are feeling a little bit lost about where to start, check out this Conscious Life & Style guide on how to take care of your clothes sustainably.

13. Unsubscribe from fast fashion newsletters and unfollow accounts

This one should only take a few minutes to act on, but it is such an important step on your journey of hopping off the hamster wheel of fast fashion and overconsumption. We are constantly being bombarded with adverts and marketing campaigns that are trying their very best to convince us to buy more and more, at every turn – even in our email inboxes and social media. So, take some time to reassess the accounts you follow and go through your email inbox, and click unsubscribe on all those newsletters and promotional content that does not align with your values.

15. Invest in BIPOC-owned businesses

We should all be making a conscious effort to invest in, celebrate, and support BIPOC-owned businesses. Investing in BIPOC-owned businesses supports the dreams, joy, and livelihoods of these business owners and everyone involved in their supply chain, and is one simple way of extending your activism offline. Check out this Conscious Life & Style list of over 100 Black-owned, sustainable, and ethical fashion home, and beauty brands. You can also take a look at this Conscious Fashion Collective list of sustainable and ethical BIPOC-owned brands.

16. Become a fashion activist

Learning about ways to extend your slow fashion advocacy beyond just the clothes you wear is a powerful step, because it allows you to participate in collective action and larger reform in the fashion industry. Signing a petition, emailing a brand, posting on social media, or getting involved in a support advocacy group are a few great ways to extend your impact and become a fashion activist. If you want to learn more about how to start your journey as a fashion activist, check out this article.

18. Continue to educate yourself

Life is one continuous learning journey, and this applies to the slow fashion space too. The issues – and solutions – in the fashion industry are complex and nuanced, so there is always something to learn or something we can dive deeper into. Continuing to educate yourself will make you feel more committed to your slow fashion journey and allow you to share your learnings with others too. If you are unsure about where to start, check out this compilation of free educational resources to learn about sustainable fashion – it includes everything from courses and podcasts, to YouTube channels, and newsletters.

Stella Hertantyo is a slow fashion and slow living enthusiast based in Cape Town, South Africa. Stella finds solace in words as a medium for sharing ideas and encouraging a cultural shift that welcomes systems change and deepens our collective connection to the world around us. She is passionate about encouraging an approach to sustainability, and social and environmental justice, that is inclusive, intersectional, accessible, and fun.

Stella holds a B.A. Multimedia Journalism from the University of Cape Town, and a PGDip in Sustainable Development from the Sustainability Institute. She currently works as a writer, editor, and social media manager. When she is not in front of her laptop, a dip in the ocean, or a walk in the mountains, are the two things that bring her the most peace.