Creating a contemporary living space while staying eco-friendly...

Those of you who are interested in taking an environmentally friendly approach to your lifestyle have a relatively easy time of doing so when you go shopping for food. Organic items are very clearly labeled at the grocery store, but that’s just about where the help ends in the marketplace. What would you do if you were in the market for eco-friendly furniture? Would you even know where to begin and what to look for? If not, then read on to see how you can shop for eco green furniture quickly and easily. More and more furniture manufacturers are taking the steps to make sure they are using environmentally products, which also means they and the stores are beginning to label items as organic. While it would be nice to take those labels at face value, you will want to ask a few questions first before making the purchase. When it comes to items like sofas and chairs, be sure to ask if all the materials used are organic. That means not only the fabrics used to cover the furniture, but also the padding. Look for all-natural latex to be used here, which is also what you should be looking for when mattress shopping. If you are in the market for eco-friendly furniture made of wood, make sure to be on the lookout for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. This is an organization that goes to great lengths to ensure that all wood used in the manufacture of eco green furniture comes from forests that are deemed as sustainable. It is only companies that follow the strict guidelines laid down by the FSC that can have the logo added to their work. You will in fact be able to trace back where the wood used in the furniture comes from, just in case you were interested. Another option that looks and feel like wood, but which is actually a grass, is bamboo. This is a fast growing material that really doesn’t fall under the sustainability issues that most wood products face. If you like the look of bamboo and want to go that route, make sure to play close attention to the type of finish used on it, as it is often toxic materials that are used for that purpose. Your attempts to use bamboo as an eco-friendly option can come undone when those harmful chemicals are added into the mix. Speaking of toxins and chemicals, another thing to be on the lookout for are furniture pieces marked as stain resistant. While it’s a nice option to have on your fabric, the Teflon used to create the non-stick properties do not fit into the mold of being eco-friendly. This actually also goes back to mattresses, many of which use flame retardant chemicals for your safety, but which need not come into play of you go with all-natural latex. The good news is that the number of eco green furniture options is on the rise, but to ensure that you are getting the real deal, be sure to ask questions and check labels.