Eco-Friendly Home Decor: Antique Furniture

Many people struggle when it comes to choosing 'green' or eco-friendly furniture for their home. For some people, this is simply because the furniture in their style of decor simply isn't available in an eco-friendly format. For others, the added hefty price tag that comes with "trendy" eco-friendly furniture is simply too much in the cash department. One day, it is possible that every style of furniture will be available at an affordable price; but for those who are looking for a bit more tradition or history while looking to stay green, consider purchasing an antique.

Why is Antique Furniture Considered Eco-Friendly?

First and foremost, by purchasing antique furniture, you are preventing new trees from being cut down. By purchasing antique furniture―even those pieces which are not made from wood―aids in reducing your carbon footprint on the world. Lastly, there are no needed resources for creating antique furniture, because it already exists and therefore no new materials are necessary―nor is any additional transportation (other than you getting the furniture to your home, of course.)

Cheap, Eco-Friendly Furniture: Benefits of Purchasing Antique Furniture

A huge plus for many people is that by purchasing antique furniture, you're going to save money. Sure, you may still shell out a couple hundred dollars; but that's a small price to pay in comparison to some of the more "high end" eco-friendly furniture, which can cost upwards of several thousand dollars.

Aside from cash, many antiques are hand-made or made with a higher level of quality and care than the mass-produced furniture pieces of today. Furthermore, a lot of woods such as mahogany and teak (which were popular in the past and are also popular today) are more scarce and therefore more expensive, unless you purchase an antique piece made from these types of woods.

Purchasing Eco-Friendly Antique Furniture

One problem many home owners and decorators alike face is this: they do not find the look of an antique appeal, simply due to it's style or damage the item may have incurred over the years. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for these types of issues.

First, if you really do not enjoy the style of the furniture, move on. If you're looking for more "modern" pieces then look for mid-century pieces or Danish modern and so forth. These pieces are often revered because though they are 50 years old, they're still very modern in their appearance and therefore appeal to a wider audience.

Another option is to sand down any damage and repaint or re-stain the furniture. This can give your furniture a 'like-new' appearance or it can significantly change the overall appearance of a piece that's not quite your taste and make it your taste.

Also, consider reusing woods from antique furniture to create a new piece. Just, be sure to use your best judgment and avoid destroying one-of-a-kind pieces or rare pieces; as they simply can't be replaced.

Last, but not least, not interested in a do-it-yourself project? Then consider looking into an antique restoration company in your area. Many will even work with you to find products that are eco-friendly in keeping with your overall goal while still helping your furniture look it's very best.