As the largest piece of furniture in your home, your sofa is a big decorating choice.  Home decorating experts say to buy quality, neutral pieces that can be used for years, and can be easily adapted from one style to the next.  But, when you’re looking for an environmentally friendly sofa, there are additional considerations, including:

Frame material:  If the sofa frame is made of wood, check to see if it is sustainable wood, and ask about any finishing products used on the wood to avoid VOCs.

Upholstery:  If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly sofa, your choice of upholstery fabric makes a difference.  Organic fabrics such as hemp and cotton are good choices, and are becoming more widely available.

Cushioning:  The filling of your sofa is also an important choice.  Avoid petroleum-based urethane foams in favor of natural rubber or latex cushioning and batting.

The sofa above is from the Bean Organic line at Bean Products, Inc.  Its wood frame is certified sustainable by the Forestry Stewardship Council, and the upholstery is an organic hemp fabric.  The sofa’s cushions are made from natural foam rubber harvested from rain forest rubber trees, and it’s also available in a sleeper sofa design.