I’ve been trying out non toxic furniture brands, so I created the ultimate guide to help you find the best option for you. The best nontoxic furniture is ethically and sustainably made in the US and will be free of formaldehyde, VOCs, BPA, flame retardants, PFAS, acrylics, chemical dyes and heavy metals.
Why I switched to non-toxic furniture
Currently I have a couple 100% non-toxic pieces in my home along with a mix of DIY furniture, secondhand finds, and carefully researched IKEA items. After gradually switching all my bedding to natural materials, I felt like furniture was the natural next step. Most people aren’t aware that furniture today is made with harmful materials. The paints, varnishes, upholstery, glues, adhesives and other parts used to make furniture are laden with toxins. Plus, we’re literally living in plastic, from plastic flooring and rugs to roofing and synthetic lawns. So we’re not only harming ourselves but also the environment.
My tips for finding the best
I’m sharing my best tips that have helped me make the switch. Remember, it’s not about perfection – it’s about progress!
- Look for Greenguard Gold Certified furniture at big stores like West Elm (massive collection!). This means it’s free of VOCs and tested for 10,000 harmful chemicals.
- IKEA is doing a great job at offering options that are as low-tox as possible while remaining affordable. All their furniture is free of PFAS, certain heavy metals, BPA, Polyvinylchloride, PAH, certain phthalates and recycled plastic that contains brominated flame retardants. It’s not perfect, but not everyone can afford 100% non-toxic.
- Look for secondhand furniture that ISN’T upholstered.
- Choose natural materials like wood, latex, wool, marble, granite, recycled glass, recycled metal and cork.
- Check out the pre-loved sections of non-toxic brands where they sell returned items in almost new condition for a steal.
- Place new furniture out in the sun for a day to let it offgas.
Toxins to Avoid
Avoid these common toxins found in conventional furniture:
- Formaldehyde: commonly used in particleboard and MDF and a known carcinogen
- Flame retardants: used to make materials fire-resistant but can disrupt hormones and affect the nervous system.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):found in paints, adhesives, and finishes. These can cause headaches, dizziness, and liver and kidney damage.
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic): can be found in some paints, finishes, and treated wood. They can cause poisoning, developmental issues, and organ damage.
- Pthalates: used in vinyl and plastic furniture and are linked to reproductive issues & hormone disruption.
- BPA: a known hormone disruptor
- PFAS: used to prevent staining and known as “forever chemicals” that can accumulate in the human body.
- Carcinogenic dyes: can release harmful chemicals.
Avocado Furniture
Avocado has been my favorite non-toxic furniture brand so far! They’re reasonably priced for the quality, they’ve got a wide selection and the quality is top-notch. I have their eco-friendly Accent Table which is made of upcycled wood from their FSC-certified workshop in Los Angeles. Shipping was super fast and the setup was really easy. I find it sooo elegant, well-built and sturdy. The design is modern and simple, yet it still feels like a statement piece in my living room. I also give it bonus points for being zero waste!
Price range:
Product types offered: Bed frame, foundation, dresser, nightstand, table, desk, bench, chair, pouf, rug, stool, dog bed
Medley Home
Medley makes the most beautiful, non-toxic sofas that are eco-certified and USA made. They’re on the luxe end, and I’m super impressed by their commitment to using the safest materials possible in every part of production. Medley uses FSC-certified solid wood, low-VOC CARB 2 compliant plywood, natural fabrics that are GREENGUARD Gold or OEKO-TEX 100, and plant-based finishes made of beeswax, carnauba wax, and olive oil. The sofas are highly customizable with all kinds of high-end fabrics to choose from.
Price range: Sofa $2,400-$8,000 | Chair $1,505-$2,195
Product types offered: Sofa, sectional, chairs, storage, bed frame, mattress, dresser, nightstand, dining table, accent table, bench, pouf, storage, dining chair
Saatva
Saatva offers the largest variety of bed frames made using non-toxic materials. They use kiln dried rubberwood or acacia hardwoods and fabrics that are CertiPUR-US® certified and are zero-VOC. They’ve got an incredible selection of bed frames, but also make gorgeous nightstands and chairs.
Price range:
Product types offered: Bed frame, foundation, nightstand, chair, bench, ottoman, rug
Olive Ateliers
Olive Atelier has the coolest concept ever – they drop unique furniture collections where no two drops are the same. The drops are super curated and what they have is what they have, meaning it’s gone once someone buys. I love that they curate tons of items that are made of 100% natural materials like onyx and limestone. Plus Los Angeles residents can go check out their drops in person!
Price range: Side Table $995 | Chair $295-$2,795
Product types offered: Chair, Stool, Table, Side Table, Cabinet, Bench, Console, Credenza
Room In A Box
If you’re looking for the most affordable, hassle-free and eco-friendly bed, Room In A Box’s Bett 2.0 is the best option. These are made of highly sturdy corrugated cardboard and require zero set up. They use vegan starch glue made from potato, corn or wheat starch as the adhesive and the dyed options use environmentally friendly water-based printing inks. At $169 this sustainable bed is the cheapest option I could find, but the downside is it only has a life expectancy of 10 years. I love how their Stool / Nightstand (ships to EU only) is so simple, versatile and functional.
Price range: Bett 2.0 $169
Product types offered: Bed frame, table, bench, stool, shelf, headboard
Cozy Earth
I’m super excited that one of my favorite eco bedding brands is now making sustainable furniture! For now they’ve designed and created a lounge chair made of 100% solid hardwood that’s FSC certified. Definitely, a brand to keep on your radar.
Price range: $2200 (use CE-ORGANIC for 40% off)
Product types offered: Lounge Chair
Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest is another company that makes organic sofas that are entirely non-toxic. So far they make only one sofa, loveseat and armchair along with some other furniture products, but this is a brand to have on your radar.
Price range: Organic Sofa $3,799-$4,099 | Coffee Table $679-$854
Product types offered: Sofa, coffee table, bench, bed frame, ottoman
Andrea is a clean beauty expert from Los Angeles, California with 10 years of experience in natural skincare and organic living. She writes for Organic Beauty Lover using her expertise to guide readers in choosing the best clean products. Andrea graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 and has worked at multiple skincare companies, big and small. Connect with her @organicbeautylover.
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