The Sustainability of Wood Furniture

Sustainability. What exactly is sustainability? According to dictionary.com the definition of sustainability is the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance. In today’s world, we are always looking for “greener” choices that will help preserve the world in which we live. 

Making smarter, more sustainable choices when furnishing our homes can have a huge impact on our world. Choosing wood furniture for our homes is not only sustainable for the environment, but it is a valuable, durable and long-lasting investment. Although there are less expensive, lower quality choices in furniture, these are made from plastics and veneers that are not recyclable and will eventually end up in a landfill. 

Why wood furniture 

With so many choices in furniture, why is wood furniture a good investment? Many may think twice about purchasing wood furniture because of the cost. Yes, solid wood furniture has a higher price point than other furniture options, many that require you to assemble it yourself. The downfall of these options is that in a span of five to seven years, you will replace that item at least three times. When you purchase a wood furniture item, you are assured that it is a one-time investment and it will last a lifetime and beyond. 

Wood furniture will not only last, it can be reused. A dresser that was bought by your grandparents fifty years ago, can be refinished and repurposed as a TV console with storage. The possibilities of wood furniture are endless. This is just another way that wood pieces are able to have many different lives and be used for many generations. This is the simplest form of sustainability.  

Wood furniture and sustainability

The Amish have high standards in craftsmanship and their furniture is undeniably beautiful and will last for many years. But they are also extremely conscious of the environment and work very hard to protect the natural resources and sustainability of their land. Because each piece of furniture that is produced by the Amish is custom made, trees are not harvested until they are ready for production. Lumber is never wasted. Any scraps or leftover wood is used to heat their homes and workshops, turned into sawdust for animal bedding or shared among other people in the community. Therefore, there is minimal waste, low energy costs and no need for warehousing excess amounts of timber. 

Forestry and sustainability

When purchasing wood furniture, you will want to work with a reputable craftsman that adheres to strict logging regulations. These regulations protect the forests of our country and require that a tree used to create furniture is not removed unless another tree has been planted in its place. By following these regulations, it will eliminate the clear-cutting of large swaths of land that will perpetuate land erosion and the needless waste of lumber.

Longevity and sustainability

Solid wood furniture will outlast furnishings that are made from man-made materials. These heirloom pieces of furniture are built to last not years, but generations. They will complete your home and the many homes in the future. Wood furniture is adaptable, reusable and timeless. Caring for your wood furniture is very low maintenance. Simply wiping the pieces down with a microfiber cloth on a consistent basis will remove dust and buildup. 

Final Thought and sustainability

Wood furniture is durable and, with age, becomes even more beautiful. The daily wear and tear adds character and charm to your pieces. Every piece of wood tells a story, every story becomes part of history. Your family’s pieces of wood furniture become a legacy that is meant to be passed on through the ages.