Wooden furniture has been around for thousands of years. It is a versatile material that can easily combine with other textures and materials. Its popularity has continued over time, with eco-friendly material being one of the primary cornerstones of modern and contemporary design.
People continually look for greener choices to reduce their carbon footprint. One of the ways they can do that is by purchasing sustainable furniture. Outfitting your home with wooden furniture can provide numerous benefits, including doing something good for the environment.
This guide will discuss why wood is the best environmentally friendly furniture choice and the benefits of wood furniture. We'll also discuss some advantages you can experience when choosing this type of furniture for your sustainable home.
The Timeless Appeal of Wooden Furniture
Sustainability and not wasting resources are some of the leading trends in Australian interior design this year. For example, using wooden elements throughout your home can make it feel more inviting and aesthetically pleasing.
The Classic and Enduring Style
More modern furniture materials, like plastic and metal, have only been in circulation for around 100 years. As we mentioned earlier, wooden furniture has been used for thousands of years. While the styles and shapes might've changed, the use of wood has not.
Wood also always stays in style, unlike some other design fads. For example, wood is a primary staple in the mid-century modern design style. This design style is just as versatile and timeless as wood is.
Various Styles and Types of Wooden Furniture Available
You can find wooden furniture for every room in your home. Popular wood furniture options include:
- Bed Frames
- Couches
- Armchairs
- Dining room tables and chairs
- Kitchen islands
- Outdoor furniture
- TV consoles
- Coffee tables
The possibilities are endless when you choose wooden furniture for your home.
Versatility
Wood is a material that's popular in every period. One reason is that it can fit into a variety of decor styles. It also complements any colour or design scheme that it's placed in.
Some of the common types of wood used for furniture include:
- Cherry
- Teak
- Maple
- Mahogany
- Oak
- Cedar
- Pine
Moreover, wood can get stained to almost any colour that you can think of. There are also various grain patterns you can choose from. The different swirls in a wood grain add more visual appeal to a piece.
Sustainable Benefits of Wooden Furniture
Wood is one of the best materials if you're looking for eco-friendly furniture. Let's discuss some pros of incorporating wooden furniture into your sustainable living practices.
Wood Is Renewable
The forests in Australia are known for their unique biodiversity and diverse ecosystems. The country has about 134 hectares of forest land. Wood is a renewable resource that Australia has plenty of.
Wood Can Last a Long Time
Numerous factors affect how long wooden furniture lasts. They include:
- Where the furniture is located
- The type of wood used
- Treatments applied to the surface
Wood is naturally durable and strong. If the right treatments are applied, wood furniture can last for decades. Less energy is used to build new furniture the longer wood furniture lasts.
Wood Can Be Recycled and Reused
While one of the best things about wood is that it can last over 100 years, another advantage is that it can be recycled. Using recycled wood reduces your carbon furniture. It also limits how much freshly-milled wood is used to build new furniture.
Some additional benefits of using reclaimed wood include the following:
- Repurposes wood that might've been considered trash
- More rustic than new wood
- Requires fewer stains and paints
- Fewer materials getting burned or sent to the landfill
Wood Stores Carbon Dioxide
Trees in forests absorb carbon dioxide from the air around them. That process lowers wood's carbon footprint. The carbon dioxide stays in the wood and doesn't get released back into the atmosphere.
Wood Can Retain Heat
Wood is naturally designed to retain heat better than other materials. This is because wood has a higher thermal mass, which means it can store heat while other materials might reflect it. As a result, your home doesn't have to work as hard when it has wooden furniture inside of it.
Wood Has Positive Mental and Physical Benefits
You might not have realised that wooden furniture options would be beneficial for your health. A recent study shows that wood has the following impact on your physical and mental health:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Promotes feelings of calm
- Reduced anxiety levels
Sitting or laying on wooden furniture has similar effects to being out in nature. Wooden furniture gives you a "cosy feeling" that can encourage positive feelings in your mind and body.
Choosing Sustainable Wooden Furniture
It's essential to look for companies that prioritise sustainability if you're shopping for new furniture. Some of the benefits of purchasing sustainable furniture include the following:
- Better investment since wood lasts longer
- Ethically sourced
- Made from sustainability-sourced materials
When searching for sustainable furniture ideas, it's important to look at what materials the product got made from. Wood should be one of the primary materials if you're looking for an eco-friendly option.
You should also take the time to research designers and furniture companies that are open about where they source their materials. An eco-friendly company should give basic facts about how they keep their organisation sustainable. Smaller furniture companies are also usually more eco-conscious than big-box stores.
Shop for Sustainable Furniture at Larkwood Furniture
We hope we've answered the question, "Is wooden furniture sustainable?" Wood is a versatile material that fits in with various interior design trends. There's a reason why this sustainable furniture choice has been around for thousands of years.
Larkwood Furniture is the leading provider of high-quality wooden furniture. We sell a wide range of armchairs, tables, and more. Shop our online store today.
