When making the decision to commission a piece of furniture, there are so many factors that you need to take into consideration, such as the materials used to make the furniture. Many of my clients who are choosing to live a greener lifestyle even carry on this passion with the furniture that they select for their home.

Source: Maria Miglioretti via Pinterest

For those who aren’t sure which way you want to go, I wanted to share with you some eco-friendly materials to consider for your custom piece of furniture:

• FSC certified wood. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, and wood with this label has been harvested with sustainability in mind. Another option to consider is wood with a Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification, which has less rigorous requirements. Contact me to learn about how you can find these types of wood in the area.
• Scrap metal. Give new life to metal that you may find in a junk yard and consider using it in a beautiful and modern piece of custom furniture. Not only will it add character, but you can feel good knowing that you are using a reclaimed material. Plus, it looks great when mixed with certain types of wood, like this coffee table.
• Up-cycled wood. We’ve talked about green-friendly wood, and you can take this idea to the max by using reclaimed wood to build your furniture. Doing so will add an element of charm and sophistication to your furniture.

As you contemplate exactly what you are looking for with your custom piece of furniture, I am happy to help you with your decision process. To learn more about sustainable materials to consider for your custom piece of furniture, please contact me, Richard Oedel, Fine Furniture maker in Boston.