Last Updated on 23 February 2022 by Lily
6 Best Eco-Friendly Garden Furniture Materials
Are you ready for the summer? Or still in the middle of making over your garden? Either way, you should keep reading here. Because probably we will still have some limitations for going out this summer. That means you better create a comfy, healthy, and clean outdoor space to enjoy the summer with your family and friends. So I am going to share how important it is to create your garden sustainably, what the most environmentally friendly outdoor furniture is, and 6 best eco-friendly garden furniture materials.
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Why You Should Make Your Garden Sustainably?
Creating your garden more green and sustainable is just for one reason. A goal to achieve which is lessening the negative impact on the earth. Using only environmentally-friendly garden furniture made of natural materials that are biodegradable for your outdoor space can help to achieve the goal and you can give hope to the next generation that creating a new garden does not have to mean harming the environment through the use of pesticides and chemicals.
Not only that, making your garden sustainable in mind is a great benefit to you as well. Most eco garden furniture is made to last a long time. For instance, sustainably sourced wood furniture can last for a lifetime and it can even give it to the next generation to generation. Which means unlike cheap non-eco-friendly furniture made of synthetic materials, you won’t have to buy again and again and again. So it is kind to your wallet as well as to the environment. Moreover, creating your outdoor space with eco-friendly outdoor furniture can maintain you and your family’s health as these furniture are usually made with no chemicals. Especially, if you have small children or pets, choosing sustainable outdoor furniture is a wise choice.
If you have a concern about the possibility of limitations of the styles you want to create in your patio by being an eco-conscious consumer, there is no need to worry at all. It is because there is a wide range of styles, colours or materials options to choose from. You can see here and here how many choices you have.
What is the Most Environmentally-Friendly Outdoor Furniture?
If you haven’t read “11 sustainable materials for interior design in your home” yet, please read it first.
Choosing the right materials is the most important thing to consider when you pick sustainable patio furniture for your garden. You need furniture that is durable, able to handle low/high temperature and humidity, plus it should be non-toxic and eco-friendly for you, your family, and the planet. There are 6 best eco-friendly garden furniture materials that are long-lasting quality and healthy to have in your garden. Let’s see one by one!
Wood
Wood is one of the best raw material for outside furniture. It has natural beauty, whatever the style of your patio, wooden furniture can fit perfectly. Wood is versatile that can be used for benches, dining sets, tables, seats, loungers, and deckings. However, not all woods are eco-friendly. Whether hardwoods or softwoods, furniture made from reclaimed woods are the most environmentally friendly. And then woods from locally that are FSC-certified and come from sustainably managed forests for outdoor furniture is the next choice. Even better to choose the brand that committed to planting trees if you truly really care about the environment.
Hardwood (Teak, European Oak, Iroko)
Hardwood is denser, harder and longer-lasting (with good care, it will last 2-3 decades) and rots slower than softwood. Therefore they are a little more expensive. With wood treatment like oils or sealants, it can be left outside all seasons. So if your priorities are aesthetics and low maintenance, Furniture made from hardwood is for you. Hardwoods can vary from being extremely pale to very dark in colour.
Softwood (Western Red Cedar, Pine, Spruce)
Unlike hardwood, softwood comes from the fast-growing coniferous trees of Northern America, Scandinavia and Eastern parts of Northern Europe. They are cheaper than hardwood. However, it doesn’t mean furniture made from softwood won’t last long or nondurable. If you treat it properly, it will perform very well compared to hardwood furniture and will last decades. The downside is softwood furniture often needs to be covered or brought inside when the weather is worst.
Woven Wicker
Wicker is a style of weave that is commonly used for baskets and furniture like chairs, tables, daybeds, loungers. There are two types of wickers that one is made from synthetic resin and another one is made from organic natural sources such as rattan, bamboo, banana leaf, seagrass, and willow. If you read “11 sustainable materials for interior design in your home” you already know how bamboo and rattan are eco-friendly materials to use for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
Both bamboo and rattan are durable and long-lasting materials. However, these natural wickers are susceptible to mould and rot from rainy weather, moisture and humidity if left outside. So don’t forget to sealant the furniture before you place it and choose a shady spot. Make sure the furniture is positioned where rain won’t reach it. And in the winter, you would want to keep them inside or use a waterproof protective cover. If you are looking for sustainable non-toxic outdoor furniture, choose the furniture made from rattan or bamboo.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a versatile strong material for outdoor furniture that can be used for outdoor dining tables, sofas and sectionals. Stainless steel is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and can be% fit very well in nature. The advantage of using furniture made from stainless steel is that it has got a long life with only a small amount of maintenance. They resist rust, are wind-resistant, easy to clean, and do not breed bacteria easily. Not only that, they are 100% recyclable. Therefore, it is recycled to produce more steel and this process goes on indefinitely. 60% of all new stainless steel comes from recycled material.
Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the most eco-friendly metals on the planet. It can be recycled infinitely to make the same product. Aluminium is an ideal material for outdoor furniture as it is durable, strong but lightweight to move around, and it will last for years with little maintenance. It is used for tables, chairs, dining sets, lounge sets, sun-loungers or a mix of aluminium and timber garden furniture. There is one thing you have to be aware of: It retains heat. So if the weather is hot, it’s beneficial to have a design with seat cushions or one that combines aluminium with another cooler material on the surfaces you’ll touch.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron has been used for centuries and it is still a very popular material used to make patio furniture like tables, chairs, benches, and sun loungers. They are extremely durable, strong and reliable material which is perfect for garden furniture. Metals are environmentally friendly as they can be recycled again and again. There’s only one downside that wrought iron forms rust quickly and starts to flake with moisture, dirt, or grime. So it required regular maintenance.
Recycled plastic
Recycled plastic furniture is a great option for outdoor garden furniture as it is strong, durable, resistant to water, moisture, mildew, insects. Unlike wood furniture, it won’t rot, peel or crack and it’s low maintenance. You can just clean with soap and water. And also furniture made from recycled plastics doesn’t require staining, sealing or painting, and is impervious to all types of weather. There is a variety of furniture made from recycled plastics such as tables, chairs, benches, rugs, cushions, and blankets. If you are looking for furniture that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, this is the one for you!
Final thoughts on What is the Most Environmentally-Friendly Outdoor Furniture?
If you need inspiration for your patio, here is 37 beautiful sustainable patio design ideas and a mood board I made.
Now you know how important it is to make your garden greener by using environmentally friendly outdoor furniture. It is not as hard as you think and it is not as expensive as you feel. It is even cheaper if you see it in the long run. Making a sustainable garden is definitely worth investing your time and money for you, your family, and the planet.
Need help creating sustainable space in your home? Let me help! I am offering E-Design for sustainable interior design. More info from here.
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