For some years now, the world of interior design has been paying particular attention to ecological furniture. From the design of the spaces to the choice of furniture, designers are increasingly supporting the philosophy of living and dressing the home in a sustainable way. It’s not just a passing trend, but a lifestyle that is also reflected in the domestic daily life of the people who live there.

But what does ecological furniture mean?

Eco-friendly furniture is a design trend that supports the choice of sustainable living. Preserving the environment by favouring natural, recyclable and long-lasting materials which eco-sustainable thinking revolves around.

The people who choose this option don’t just make it an ethical question. Its aesthetics are characterized by minimal and refined details that mimic the elements of nature, bringing the spirit back into balance and instilling serenity and calm.

Japan and Northern Europe, where ethic design reigns supreme

Models of ethics and style, Japan and Scandinavia have reinvented the rules of interior design by popularising the concepts of sustainability and making it easier to apply.

Japanese furniture: eco-furniture in a Japanese style

Japan draws on its ancient tradition by converting the concept of Zen as its organic key. And it is here that this key is displayed in the traditional tatami – the woven reed mat filled with pressed rice straw – and the futon – the rolled mattress made entirely of ecological materials – complete in a contemporary style, has become a very popular alternative to the classic bed base and spring mattress. La componente in lattice e in fibre naturali sposa in pieno la filosofia dell’impatto zero sulla natura. Inoltre queste tipologie di stuoie e materassi sono altamente indicate dal punto di vista igienico e, elemento non trascurabile, infondono all’ambiente domestico un’allure raffinata e ricercata.

Also for the living area, why not take advantage of the characteristics of a low Japanese wooden bed to create an original sofa with customized seats? A mood that has entered Western culture which, in addition to giving harmony, commits to the well being of the environment thanks to the presence of wood and the lack of toxic elements, increasing the quality of life in domestic spaces.

The Scandinavian mode of eco-sustainable furniture

Scandinavia also lends itself well as a model to follow in the field of ecological furnishings. The trendier, Northern European design is monopolizing the eco-furniture scene thanks to the essential nature of the elements that characterize it, and to the neutral shades of the furnishings and accessories that fully reflect the “green” philosophy The use of natural wood furniture mixed with raw metal details and textile elements in natural fibres. Lends the house a quiet charm that is full of impact.

Zero Waste Design and Upcycle Materials: eco-sustainable furniture that gives value to waste

In addition to the two examples of ethics already mentioned, if you are looking for another approach to ecological furniture, which fully respects the regulations of eco-sustainability, we recommend that you rely on companies that follow at least one of the three strands recognized by the European sustainability and recycling policies.

Zero Waste Design is a branch of eco design that creates furnishings by drawing on disposed materials to create innovative products.

Recovering broken objects that would end up in landfills is indeed the meaning of Upcycled Materials. Just a little taste and creativity is enough to assemble and reinvent the basic objects and the result will be an original and unique piece of furniture.

It’s easy to say eco-furniture, but how do you recognize it?

To prove that an eco-sustainable piece of furniture is truly eco-friendly, it must comply with FSC, PEFSC and UFAM certifications which guarantee that the wood used does not come from ancient forests, but come from green places that meet the standards of the Good Forest Management Authority.