• Buying furniture and fabric made from recycled materials like steel and even soda bottles saves energy, water and many natural resources.
• Furniture made from wood that has been “reclaimed” from warehouses, abandoned buildings, and riverbed floors helps keep forests intact.
• Fabrics woven from organic cotton and hemp significantly reduce the amount of pesticides applied to the land.

For Your Shopping List

FABRICS

• Green Sage offers organic fabric for reupholstering furniture, draperies or cushions
• Anna Sova offers eco-safe silk and organic cotton drapery.
• Loop Fabric features organic muslin, linen, hemp, silk, corduroy, canvas, and knits.

• Interface Fabrics markets Terratex, a fabric made from recycled polyester, corn-based “PLA” fibers and sustainable wool.
• Clothworks sell organic cotton upholstery. Furnature's SafeWash removes unpleasant fabric finish and dye odors from almost any fabric.
• Do-it-yourself Organics at Heart of Vermont offers twills and flannels, as well as organic cotton and pure wool pillow kits and organic cotton futon covers.

FURNITURE

Viridian has compiled a great list of manufacturers that create a wide variety of environmentally comfortable sofas, chairs, desks and stools. Get a cup of tea, put on your favorite music, and go ahead and browse!

Eco-Cheap

• Start at Ikea. The company is making a real effort to build its furniture out of sustainably grown wood. Ask to see the “green” furniture in your local Ikea outlet.
• Consider antiques, which rack up nothing in additional energy, water and other manufacturing costs.
• Try consignment. If the new eco-furniture you want seems out of your price range, sell your old furniture on consignment and use the proceeds to help defray the new purchase costs.
• Shop at crafts fairs. Look for artisanal furniture made from salvaged wood and metal, organic wool and cotton, and a variety of recycled fabrics
• Swap. Rather than buy new, swap furniture with friends, neighbors or family members.
• Explore E-Bay.

Want more information? Check out the Fabrics & Furniture page of our sister site, TheWorldWomenWant.com.