If you’re looking for ways to maximize the future of your furniture investments, you might want to start by looking at how it used to be constructed in the past. Higher quality materials, seasoned craftsmanship, and thoughtful design were foundations of the industry into the mid-1900’s. However, as machine automation and transportation became more accessible and affordable, profit margins took the driver’s seat, and heirloom quality furniture built to last for several decades was soon relegated to the relics of “the old days.” As a result, our planet has experienced an unfathomable increase in “fast furniture waste” that’s unnecessary and largely avoidable as long as we purchase our pieces wisely, with longevity and timeless style in mind. Here are just a few of the ways you can ensure your own furniture investments are more sustainable for the environment, and more likely to become lasting and cherished treasures to pass on to future generations:

Start With A Complimentary Design Consultation 

When you consider your furniture as an investment rather than just something you’ll throw out and replace in a few years, it’s smart to get a good idea of the designs and aesthetics that make up your personal style preferences. We offer complimentary design services to help you do just that, and our team is an excellent resource for exploring new ideas for your space, or discovering designers, workshops, and looks that best suit your taste and specific needs. In a time when social media trends are fleeting and impersonal, how can you be more conscious about your design choices to ensure they grow with you, rather than constantly being swapped out for the latest, poorly-made fad? Once you have an idea of the styles that speak to you, it’s much easier to apply them to suit the current and future needs of your home and family too. 

Look For High Quality Materials And Sustainable Certifications

Before selecting a piece of furniture to buy, be sure to do your research and ask questions! If it’s made of wood, what kind of wood is it? Is it solid hardwood, rubber wood encased in veneer, or just multiple layers of thin and flimsy plywood glued together? Furthermore, was the wood ethically sourced from responsibly sourced forests to protect the future of our Earth’s valuable natural resources? In a modern furniture industry that often prioritizes the cheapest labor and materials, you can use your purchasing power to show that consumers demand higher quality products which are thoughtfully built to last. Our own collection of handcrafted wood furniture is all made from sustainably sourced solid wood, much of which is FSC certified too. If the piece you’re considering is upholstered, you should ask about the frame construction, seating support matrix, and cushion materials. Cisco Home, for example, is one of our esteemed workshop partners who has mastered the truly organic sofa; with their Inside Green technology, they use 100% organic cotton, latex and wool for the upholstery, in addition to other naturally durable fibers like hand-tied jute and hemp for their seating support. All of their wood is FSC certified for sustainability, which makes them a more eco-conscious choice that’s also less toxic for your home environment.

Know Where Your Furniture Was Made

In addition to learning about the kinds of styles and designers you like, it’s also helpful (and sustainably forward) to find out where your furniture was constructed. Labor costs tend to be cheapest in places like China and southeast Asia, and transcontinental transportation is also easier and more affordable now than it used to be. As a result, larger furniture companies often opt for poorly constructed pieces made from low quality materials because they cost less to produce, and can be easily “flat-packed” to ship. The consequence is furniture that breaks quickly, is difficult to repair, and ends up in landfills all too often. Be wary of a company that is not transparent about where they manufacture their products, and try to prioritize local and USA made furniture to reduce the amount of carbon gasses emitted with excessive transportation as well. Several of the workshop partners on our own carefully curated roster, in fact, are proudly based and operating right here in America. For solid wood furniture, you might check out Copeland or Maple Corner Woodworks in Vermont; for excellent metal and glass work, meet Charleston Forge in North Carolina. If you’re looking for outstanding USA made upholstery, you won’t go wrong with American Leather in Texas, Cisco Home in California, Virginia-based Rowe, or North Carolina’s own Thayer Coggin. Get to know the stories and values behind the companies you buy from, and you’ll be far more likely to find better craftsmanship, higher quality materials, and more sustainably minded processes that produce heirloom quality furniture that lasts.

Consider Investing In Custom Pieces

If your budget allows, another wonderful way to ensure your furniture is of the highest quality and craftsmanship is to invest in custom made pieces. While certainly a more expensive option, custom pieces give you the opportunity to designate the kinds of wood, fabrics, and manufacturing processes that are used in your sofa, chair, or table. You can also collaborate directly with the makers to create something truly unique and personal to your needs and space. Another unfortunate downside of the faster paced furniture industry today is that designers are often forced to compromise on creativity and vision in the name of lower mass production costs, fueled by rapidly changing fads or greedy profit margins. The experience of commissioning a custom made piece is not only a more efficient and deliberate use of materials, but it’s also likely to be more rewarding for both you and the artisans you choose to work with!