Transform your outdoor living space into a serene haven with eco-conscious furniture that’s not only stylish but also sustainable. Say goodbye to bland balconies and hello to a rejuvenated backyard with eco friendly patio furniture that combines beauty and sustainability.
Whether you have a cozy balcony or a spacious garden, we’ve got you covered with the perfect ideas and furniture pieces to bring your dream outdoor retreat to life. Join the movement towards a greener future with furniture that is good for both you and the planet.
This blogpost will serve as an ultimate guide to eco friendly patio furniture for your backyard. Without any further ado, let’s get straight to the point.
What is Eco Friendly Patio Furniture?
Eco friendly patio furniture as the name signifies is a set of furniture ethically produced from sustainable materials such as engineered wood, plastic recovered from the oceans, recycled polyester, and so on.
The furniture is designed to minimize the negative impact on the environment.
To save on transportation and carbon-emissions, they are produced locally. Eco-friendly furniture is created using sustainable manufacturing, labor, and fair trade practices in addition to materials. Eco-friendly furniture is designed to last for a long time.
Global Eco-Friendly Furniture Market
The global eco-friendly furniture market is ballooning rapidly. According to a research report, the global eco-friendly furniture market is expected to reach $60 billion in 2027 up from $37 billion in 2020.
The demand for luxury furniture is also rising as people’s concerns about the negative consequences of deforestation and the dangerous side effects of manufacturing rise. There has been a significant increase in demand for luxury furniture in recent years.
As per market reports, the global market for luxury furniture is expected to grow by $49215.63 million from 2022 to 2027 at a CAGR of 5.21%.
The Concept of Fast Furniture
Products that have been mass-manufactured might be referred to as fast furniture. The goods are produced swiftly and inexpensively. Waste results when output exceeds demand, which happens frequently.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2018, furniture and furnishings accounted for approximately 12.1 million tons of municipal solid waste in the United States.
Additionally, there are no environmental or quality requirements observed in the workplace. The employees are compelled to put in more arduous hours of work.
Fast furniture poses major environmental and health risks both during manufacturing and beyond their useful lives since non-biodegradable and unsustainable materials are employed in their manufacture.
Once the products are out of style, they are thrown away. The concept of recycling and reusing is rarely employed for fast furniture.
Common Materials Used to Produce Eco-friendly Patio Furniture
With the recognition of problems related to quick furniture and awareness of ecological imprint. There is a growing market for eco-friendly furniture.
The material used in the manufacturing of the furniture makes it sustainable and environmentally friendly. There are brands that claim their furniture is eco-friendly, however, they are far from being sustainable.
To double-check the environmental friendliness and sustainability of furniture, make sure that the furniture is made from sustainable materials, such as:
a. Teak/ Sustainable Wood
Teak is one of the most common and best materials to produce sustainable furniture. Teak is durable, water-resistant, weather-resistant, and it requires very little maintenance. In addition, it offers an attractive aesthetic appeal.
Sustainable teak is also resistant to insects and rots. However, it is prone to cracking. This is one downside of using teak or wood.
b. Recycled Plastic
Upcycled plastic is another commonly used material to produce eco-friendly patio furniture. Companies like Yardbird collect recycled plastic from the oceans.
There are different types of recycled plastic, but high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the most commended one.
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c. Recycled and Recyclable Aluminum
Along with recycled plastic, recycled aluminum is a great sustainable material. Aluminum is a durable and lightweight metal that is 100% recyclable. Aluminum has high strength and resistance against rust, corrosion, and moisture.
Moreover, recycling aluminum can save up to 95% of the energy used when it is produced from raw materials.
d. Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the best sustainable construction materials. It is durable, lightweight, easily available, and locally sourced. Additionally, Bamboo grows quickly and requires less energy for its growth.
With these properties, bamboo has become a commonly used material to produce furniture.
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Eco friendly Patio Furniture for your Lawn
If you have decided to go green with your patio furniture. Bravo, you have made an excellent decision. If you are unsure where to start, here are a few furniture suggestions to start from.
Adirondack Chairs
The adirondack chair has the most iconic design for a chair. The chair is designed for outdoor lounging and napping. The backrest is made of five to seven vertical wooden strips. The chair has armrests for an ultimate lounging experience.
Adirondack chairs are comfortable, ergonomic, aesthetic, iconic, and versatile. They are probably the best outdoor furniture for your backyard.
Wave Chairs
Wave chairs are extremely versatile and comfortable chairs for both indoor and outdoor settings. They come in different sizes, shapes, and designs.
Traditional wave chairs are produced using unsustainable and environmentally harmful materials. Therefore, they are not recommended.
If you are choosing wave chairs for your balcony, then choose ecofriendly and sustainable wave chairs.
Outdoor Loveseats and Sofas
The loveseat sometimes called a “two-seat couch is the perfect furniture for a couple. While a sofa can accommodate three people; it is larger in length than a loveseat.
Sofas and loveseats are designed to deliver comfort and luxury. But if they are produced from sustainable materials, they can serve one additional purpose, i.e., taking care of the environment.
In addition, they come in different designs and color combinations, making them aesthetically appealing.
Loveseats and sofas are ideal choices for luxury and comfort-seeking people. They offer the ultimate relaxing experience.
Glider Bench
A glider bench can be a great addition to your backyard. It is considered more comfortable than a traditional rocker. In addition, glider benches offer wider seating and have supportive armrests.
Likewise, gliders can help relieve pack pain. Also, by rocking back and forth, you can improve blood flow in the body.
Your lawn requires a glider bench built of environmentally safe and sustainable materials.
Rocking Chair
Would you want to experience the waves’ gently rolling as if you were on a yacht? If your response is yes, you should get a rocking chair for your balcony. You may simulate the wave’s rocking motion while sitting on a rocking rocker on your deck.
A sustainable rocking chair is durable, easy to assemble, weather-resistant, eco-friendly, long-lasting, and attractive in design.
Dining Set
Dining outdoors is the best way to make the most of your time with family and guests. Dining sets come in different sizes and seats. They are produced from sustainable materials like recycled plastic and teak.
Since they are exposed to different environmental conditions, hence they are produced weather-resistant and water-proofed.
Benches and Coffee Tables
If you are a coffee lover and an eco-conscious person, you should consider purchasing an eco-friendly coffee table for your balcony. A sustainable and elegantly designed coffee table can be a great show-off piece of furniture.
Porch Swings
Indulge in the ultimate outdoor relaxation experience with a sustainable porch swing. Picture yourself swaying back and forth, surrounded by lush greenery, with a good book in hand and a soft melody playing in the background.
Imagine being able to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in a peaceful, eco-friendly oasis. Upgrade your outdoor space and enjoy a magical moment every time you sit on your sustainable porch swing.
A porch swing is my favorite outdoor furniture. It makes the outdoor sitting experience peaceful and astonishing.
A swing set made of durable wood should last more than 20 years. However, life expectancy depends on maintenance and proper care.
Chaise Lounges
Chaise lounge “Meaning long chair in French” is a long low chair for reclining with a back and armrest on only one end.
They were designed by French craftsmen for aristocrats to lounge and rest during the daytime. However, during the 1800s, the furniture developed a more feminine connotation as a decadent throne for women to rest without having to go to the bedroom.
Chaise lounges are elegant, comfortable, and luxurious furniture. Usually, they are used indoors, but nevertheless, they can be used outdoors.
Best Sustainable Outdoor Furniture Brands
Usually, behind the scenes of a company go unnoticed; customers are unaware of the manufacturing processes, fair trade policies, and employees’ practices, therefore, most of the time, customers end up purchasing products from an unsustainable company.
In addition, green certifications are equally essential to consider when choosing an eco-friendly furniture provider. Some of the green certifications include GREENGUARD, World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Cradle to Cradle.
If you are looking for eco-friendly patio furniture, then make sure to purchase from a reputable brand.
However, the good news is that you don’t have to do the research yourselves; we have got your back. We have put together a list of the best sustainable outdoor furniture brands.
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Masaya & Co.
Teak Adirondack chair by Masaya & Co. Image source: Masaya & Co.
Masaya & Co. is a company that is on the mission of reinventing innovative and sustainable approaches to outdoor furniture. The company relies on a sustainable supply chain and uses eco-friendly materials.
Every piece of Masaya & Co. furniture is handmade from sustainable teak that delivers quality, sustainability, comfort, and aesthetic appeal.
Masaya & Co. delivers every piece of furniture you might need for your backyard including Adirondack chairs, coffee tables, dining sets, chaise lounges, and the list goes. Hence, Masaya & Co. is a one-stop solution for eco-friendly furniture both indoors and outdoors.
Lastly, the brand pledged to plant 100 trees for every order they receive. Hence, by purchasing simple furniture for your lawn, you will be the cause of planting 100 trees. Almost 1 million trees have already been planted.
Outer
Sustainable design is at the core of Outer’s manufacturing. Their furniture is manufactured from sustainable and recycled materials such as FSC-certified teak, recycled polyester, HDPE wicker, recyclable aluminum, wicker, and other sustainably sourced materials.
Outer produces furniture that is elegant, comfortable, timeless, durable, weather-resistant, and sustainable. Outer’s teak, wicker, and aluminum sofas and chairs come with a 10-year warranty, while cushion, teak & aluminum dining tables and chairs come with a 5-year warranty.
They produce all sorts of outdoor and indoor eco-friendly furniture, such as tables, sectionals, chairs, fire pits, rugs, ottomans, and so on.
Trex furniture
If you are from the USA, your ideal choice for the best sustainable furniture supplier should be Trex Furniture. Their furniture has a 20-year warranty.
In addition to their prolonged lifespan, Trex furniture is well-designed, cozy, and eco-friendly. Trex furniture adds more than just comfort and beauty to your deck.
Just like Masaya & Co., Trexfurniture has also a pledge to plant a tree for every purchase.
Create your dream outdoor sitting, dining, and entertaining space with sustainable furniture from Trex Furniture.
VivaTerra
Operating in more than 20 countries around the world, Vivaterra is one of the best sustainable eco-friendly patio furniture brands.
VivaTerra produces its furniture from a wide of sustainable materials including teak, reclaimed Doughlas fir, rattan, FSC-certified eucalyptus, reclaimed wood, stainless steel, and aluminum.
In addition to furniture, VivaTerra also produces lanterns, fire pits, pots, and sculptures. That’s a bonus point for this brand.
All the materials used in the production of furniture are FSC-certified and sourced sustainably. All the furniture pieces are handmade with recycled material by employing sustainable, eco-friendly, and fair trade methods.
Amara
Amara is another company that specializes in eco-friendly furniture manufacturing.
Amara produces a wide spectrum of furniture such as dining tables, hammocks, benches, stools, sofas, and the list goes on.
In producing high-quality sustainable furniture, they use different materials such as polycarbonate (an ISCC-certified industrial cellulose and paper waste), ArtFibre® (produced from HDPE), recycled polyethylene, and many more.
Through its One Planet initiative, Amara has partnered with different companies around the world. Their efforts to mitigate climate change and promote sustainability are praiseworthy. Other companies should follow suit.
Create the most attractive and peaceful outdoor environment with Amara’s furniture, lighting, and accessories.
Yardbird
Yardbird is turning trash into sustainable outdoor patio furniture.
Yes, you heard that right.
The furniture is mostly manufactured from upcycled plastic waste collected from beaches and waterways in the Philippines. In the year 2020 alone, 64% of the plastic used in their wicker set came from beaches in the Philippines.
In addition to recycled plastic, Yardbird also produces furniture from other sustainable materials such as weather-resistant teak, recyclable aluminum, foam, HDPE wicker, etc. Likewise, their packing is also biodegradable and recyclable.
Yardbird specializes in all kinds of eco-friendly sustainable patio furniture including dining sets, loveseats, outdoor chairs, sofas, chaise lounges, benches, you name it.
To be completely eco-friendly, Yardbird offsets its carbon footprint through the manufacturing and shipping of its products through carbonfund.org.
Hold on there is more you should know about this brand; Yardbird will take back your retired furniture from you and recycle it.
Etsy
Etsy is a great place to buy sustainable and eco-friendly furniture.
All the furniture is produced using sustainable, eco-friendly, and responsibly sourced materials such as vintage country pine wood, iron, bamboo, and recycled plastic.
In addition, Etsy is powered by 100% renewable energy, which only a few companies have achieved.
If you are a DIY enthusiast, we have great news for you. Etsy offers cheap blueprints for every piece of furniture they produce. With these blueprints, you can create the same furniture in your home.
Plywood
Plywood is a pioneer in the eco-friendly patio furniture industry. Plywood is one of the first players in the industry to produce weatherproof outdoor furniture from recycled plastic materials.
Its furniture is produced from high-density polyethylene which is sourced from milk jugs and detergent bottles collected from landfills and oceans. Plywood recycles more than 400,000 plastic containers daily.
Plywood manufactures every type of backyard furniture such as Adirondack chairs, rocking chairs, dining furniture, lounge sets, glider benches, and so on.
The furniture is built to last through the harshest of weather conditions from the scorching sun to freezing snow.
Secondhand Furniture
If you are running on a short budget, and the above-mentioned brands seem unaffordable. Then secondhand furniture is the way to go.
You may visit a used furniture store near you. You may find a store nearby by googling “Secondhand furniture store near me, used-furniture store, or any related keyword.”
In addition to visiting a physical store, you may also purchase eco-friendly and used furniture from an online store, such as OfferUp, Ebay, Chairish, Modern Resale, etc.
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Closing Remarks
Sustainability is the ultimate solution to environmental problems. It is our moral obligation to reduce our ecological impact. Let’s make a pledge to make sustainability a living philosophy.
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