Supporting Sustainability: An Introduction to Eco-Friendly Furniture

2024-12-23

In recent times, the idea of “sustainability” has been catching on. While it’s a word many are familiar with, the concept of sustainable furniture might not be as well understood.

In this article, we will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable furniture, along with tips on how to choose the right pieces of furniture for your home. By understanding the appeal of sustainable furniture, you might want to incorporate it into your lifestyle.

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What is sustainable furniture?

The term “sustainable” refers to something that is “capable of being continued.” In simpler terms, sustainability is about efforts aimed at “protecting the Earth’s environment so that we can continue our lives into the future.”

Sustainable furniture can refer to products that:

Repurpose ocean plastics

Use industrial waste

Incorporate recycled aluminium

Use biodegradable plastics

Are created by factories that run on renewable energy

Promote forest conservation

In order to protect our planet’s environment, efforts are being made to carefully select sustainable materials, utilize renewable energy, and preserve our rich forests and oceans for future generations. Additionally, fostering the next generation of skilled engineers is another important aspect of sustainability in furniture production.

But sustainability isn’t just the responsibility of the makers, it also depends on the awareness of the consumers. When purchasing furniture, it’s important to choose items that are designed to last, avoiding the culture of disposability. It is also necessary to choose products that can be repaired or have replaceable parts, allowing them to be used with care and passed down through generations.

Advantages of sustainable furniture

Eco-friendly

Sustainable furniture is designed with an emphasis on minimizing environmental impact. Furniture production can contribute to issues such as deforestation and air and water pollution, posing significant threats to the planet’s future. By choosing eco-friendly sustainable furniture, we can help reduce the waste of valuable resources like timber, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and slow down the progression of environmental degradation.

Superior design and quality

One of the key benefits of choosing sustainable furniture is its exceptional design and quality. In recent years, many famous furniture designers have been focusing on sustainable furniture, creating a wide range of unique and innovative designs. Combining functionality, design, and high quality, sustainable furniture stands out as an appealing choice.

High durability

Sustainable furniture is made from natural materials, which contributes to its exceptional durability and how these materials age beautifully over time. With simple yet timeless designs, sustainable furniture stays relevant and can be used for many years, unaffected by changing trends or time.

Disadvantages of sustainable furniture

One of the disadvantages of sustainable furniture is cost. Since sustainable furniture is often made from high-quality solid wood and involves specialized production processes, the manufacturing expenses tend to be high, making the selling price slightly higher than standard furniture.

However, when considering not just the initial cost but also the long-term expenses associated with usage, sustainable furniture may not be as costly as they seem. On the other hand, keep in mind that cheap mass-produced furniture may break easily or be irreparable, leading to greater expenses over time.

How to choose sustainable furniture

When choosing sustainable furniture, there are two things to keep in mind:

Does it use recycled materials?

One of the keywords to focus on when selecting sustainable furniture is “recycled materials.”

Choose furniture that has been recycled from materials used in old furniture or other products, and redesigned and repurposed to meet modern needs in terms of both style and functionality. Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to the flow of resources involved during the manufacturing process.

There are two types of systems:

Linear economy: A one-way system where resources are extracted, used to manufacture products, and ultimately discarded after use.

Circular economy: A system where used products are repurposed and recycled, keeping resources in continuous use.

If the circular economy becomes widespread, there will be no need for excessive extraction of new resources from the earth. Sustainable furniture is produced and reused based on the framework of the circular economy, making it a choice that actively supports a sustainable future.

Is it domestically sourced and manufactured?

By choosing furniture made from domestically sourced materials or manufactured locally, we can help reduce carbon emissions associated with the long-distance transportation of imported materials. It also contributes to sustainability by making effective use of domestic forest resources.

The long-distance transportation for importing and exporting wood and furniture tends to place a heavy burden on the environment, not only in terms of costs but also consuming a lot of energy and emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide.

On the other hand, wood processing itself can be done with relatively little energy, so carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by choosing domestically sourced materials or locally manufactured furniture due to shorter transportation distances.

Furthermore, approximately 67% of Japan’s land is covered by forests, of which approximately 40% consists of man-made forests that are available for resource use. By utilizing these valuable forest resources and establishing a circular cycle of domestic production, we can expect to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Using domestic wood is a sustainable option that contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the environment, as furniture manufactured locally has a lower environmental impact.

Use cases for sustainable furniture

In living rooms and bedrooms

Most sofas and armchairs typically consist of cushions, covers, and legs. However, even with expensive sofas, issues like sagging cushions or torn fabric are inevitable over time.

To ensure longevity, it is crucial to choose products with durable filling materials and fabrics that are resistant to abrasion. Opting for furniture that allows for maintenance—such as reupholstering, replacing wooden components, or adding new cushion materials—can significantly extend its usable lifespan.

In dining rooms

Dining tables and chairs made from domestically sourced wood are highly recommended as sustainable furniture options. While about 70% of Japan’s land is covered by forests, most wood used in furniture is imported, making domestic wood resources underutilized.

Therefore, when choosing a table, consider furniture brands that practice sustainable forestry practices to support the preservation of the natural environment, ensuring wood is responsibly managed from harvesting to production to eventual disposal. Additionally, unlike standard polyurethane coatings that cannot be repaired once deeply scratched, tables with natural solid wood tops finished with oil coatings can be easily maintained and restored. This feature allows them to be enjoyed and used for many years.

In offices

Nowadays, office furniture has become increasingly diverse in order to accommodate changing work styles, including working from home and the digitalization of tasks. As a result, there is a growing demand for furniture that can be flexibly rearranged to suit the needs of different departments or adapt to broader societal shifts.

Storage units with customizable shelves and doors, height-adjustable desks, and other flexible furniture options are highly valued for their versatility. Additionally, designing workspaces that boost employee motivation to work can also be an alternative to contribute to sustainability from the perspective of human resources development.

At Village House, we offer a wide selection of attractive properties across Japan at affordable prices. If you’re searching for a new home, feel free to reach out to us!