How can you decorate your home in an original and sustainable way?
Pollution inside our homes is 5 to 10 times higher than outdoor pollution. These figures can be partly explained by the highly toxic substances used in the manufacture of furniture. These are volatile organic compounds. According to ANSES (the French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), “at least 661 substances can potentially be emitted by furniture products,” which is why pollution in our living and working spaces is a major public health concern. Furthermore, the timber industry—which supplies the raw material essential for manufacturing our furniture—is far from sustainable. Between illegal timber trafficking and a heavy carbon footprint, its impact on the environment is disastrous. So, how can we decorate our homes in a sustainable and original way? How can we choose the right furniture and decorative items?
A Natural-Looking Dining Table
To protect your health and that of your children, you can now buy locally made furniture crafted from natural materials. So , when furnishing a home—and specifically a dining room— how do you choose the right table?
A cozy dining table that adapts to your needs
To choose the right dining table, it's important to carefully consider these different factors:
- the number of guests;
- the available space in the dining room;
- the interior design style.
Of course, it’s advisable to choose a table that’s practical, sturdy, and attractive. To ensure this, make sure it has an extension leaf that’s easy to set up when entertaining a large number of guests. Choosing a dining table with timeless, classic lines can therefore be a wise decision, as it ensures that it will blend seamlessly with your interior decor and that its style will never go out of fashion.
A sustainable dining table
To be sure you choose the right dining table, it’s a good idea to consider several factors. Opting for solid wood —whether beech or oak—is a good start. This type of wood not only ensures great durability but also guarantees the absence of any chemicals harmful to your health. It’s important to note that plywood and particleboard release formaldehyde into indoor air for many years. Classified as a carcinogen, this volatile organic compound can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Therefore, to avoid these substances that are hazardous to health, choosing 100% natural furniture — free of any synthetic products in its finish—remains the best choice.
A dining table made locally and responsibly
If you care about today’s environmental issues, buying a table made with environmental sustainability in mind is an excellent idea. And that’s only natural—though you should make sure to check that it’s made from locally sourced wood certified by PEFC, an eco-label that guarantees sustainable and responsible forest management.
During the manufacturing process, carpenters can adopt practices that are good for the planet. Instead of throwing away their scraps or the sawdust produced, they can use them to heat their workshop or repurpose them by offering them to other organizations. So, it’s best to choose a sustainable manufacturing process carried out by professionals who follow best practices.
Dining Chairs with Lasting Comfort
To complement a dining table made of natural, locally sourced wood, you also need to find chairs that are worthy of it. But how do you choose the right dining chairs for an eco-friendly home design?
100% French chairs
To ensure there’s no doubt about the quality of the product you’re buying, there’s nothing better than choosing French-made products, which meet high standards for traceability and manufacturing. So, to be on the safe side, it’s essential to choose chairs bearing the “Bois de France” label. This label certifies that the raw material comes from forests located on French soil. And to ensure the high quality of the finished product, choosing chairs labeled “made in France” guarantees that the entire manufacturing process takes place in France. It’s worth noting that the short supply chain significantly reduces the carbon footprint during furniture production.
Comfortable, practical, and sturdy chairs
Comfort and sturdiness are two essential criteria when choosing good dining chairs. Indeed, it is essential that the chair be designed to provide maximum comfort. For example, a chair with a backrest that’s too stiff will quickly become uncomfortable. So, it’s important to choose your chairs carefully. The ideal? A curved shape that perfectly conforms to the body’s contours. This design also ensures a comfortable and relaxing seating experience.
The chairs should also complement the dining table. It may therefore be a good idea to choose an elegant model with timeless lines that will go well with any type of table. When it comes to home design and decor, a minimalist approach can be a smart choice, as it helps avoid any missteps. Let’s not forget that being able to stack chairs easily can also be a major advantage, especially when space is limited indoors.
Finally, it’s best to consider buying chairs that are truly sturdy, choosing models that are certainly attractive but, above all, durable. Once again, solid wood is a guarantee of unquestionable sturdiness.
Chairs designed to last
Major furniture retailers still too often encourage excessive consumption of furniture: new collections, shoddy manufacturing that contributes to rapid wear and tear, and so on. Fortunately, however, there are retailers that prioritize furniture durability. So, when purchasing new chairs, it’s important to pay attention not only to manufacturing standards but also to how they are assembled.
A chair assembled using traditional methods will be more durable over time, and a screw-free assembly system will provide optimal strength. This is known as “mortise-and-tenon joinery,” which is further reinforced by cross-braces located beneath the seat of the chair.
Home textiles made from natural fibers
Household linens include all fabric items used in the home:
- bed linens;
- bath towels;
- kitchen linens;
- table linens.
Since it’s an everyday necessity, choosing the right household linens is essential . For long-lasting use, it’s best to ensure they’re of high quality. Household linens made from durable natural fibers guarantee that duvet covers, sheets, dish towels, hand towels, and tablecloths will last a long time.
Flax, a local natural fiber
In this regard, flax is an excellent choice. Because it does not require large amounts of water to grow, this natural fiber offers significant environmental benefits. As a fully recyclable or biodegradable material, flax is one of the most environmentally responsible natural fibers in terms of both cultivation and use.
Another benefit of linen is that it can be sourced through short supply chains. France is, in fact, the world’s leading producer of this plant, which is primarily grown in northern France. As a result, the carbon footprint remains minimal when textile manufacturers source their materials in France. So when it comes to home linens, don’t hesitate to choose this local natural fiber with its many benefits. Healthy, durable, and elegant—thanks to weaving techniques refined over centuries—it’s the ideal material for both bedding and table linens. Not to mention how easy it is to care for! It also adds an elegant and chic touch to your home décor. And to ensure you’re getting high-quality home textiles, always look for the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 eco-label, which certifies that the fabric contains no substances harmful to health.
Organic cotton: a soft fabric with eco-friendly benefits
In addition to linen, it’s best to opt for fabrics made from organically grown cotton. Organic cotton requires less water than its conventional counterpart and is produced with limited use of fertilizers. As such, it is environmentally friendly and contributes to a more responsible textile industry. Organic cotton is perfect for bedding and bath linens. Thanks to its softness, strength, and durability, it ensures that your home textiles are both eco-friendly and safe for your health.
The throw: a decorative and cozy touch for a sofa or bed
These days, a plaid throw is synonymous with coziness—those long winter evenings curled up on the couch watching a good movie or TV show. But it’s worth noting that this piece of wool fabric was originally used as a coat by Scottish mountain dwellers. In fact, the word “plaid” means “blanket” in Gaelic. Now that it has become a true interior design accessory, how do you choose the right plaid?
A throw to create a cozy atmosphere
It really is the perfect accessory for adding a warm, inviting feel to your home. There’s nothing quite like it for transforming a room into a comfortable, cozy space where you’ll love to spend time. Whether casually draped over the back of an armchair or artfully tossed onto the sofa, a throw enhances your interior décor. It also creates an atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding and relaxing.
A blanket to keep you warm
In the depths of winter, when the cold reigns supreme, a throw is your best ally against the chill. To enjoy a cozy evening, simply wrap yourself in this soft, fluffy rectangle of fabric. And for perfect protection against the cold, choosing a throw made from responsibly produced recycled wool is just as wise.
A throw to pamper yourself with
Another good reason to use it: to treat yourself to a moment of peace and quiet, curled up in your blanket, while enjoying a nice cup of tea or herbal tea—especially at the end of a busy and tiring day. You can enjoy the softness and comfort of this wool fabric (or organic cotton in the warmer months) to unwind and take a well-deserved break.
A throw to decorate your home
There are many different styles of throw blankets, available in a wide variety of materials and patterns, so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the one that best complements your interior decor. It’s also worth noting that a throw blanket is, on its own, an ideal decorative accessory for a living room or bedroom. Whether placed on a sofa or a bed, it adds a touch of softness and comfort.
A throw to give a sofa a new lease on life
This traditional cover can also extend the life of a worn-out sofa. In fact, by covering it with this fabric, you can hide the signs of wear and tear and give it a new lease on life.
When chosen wisely, a throw can also enhance the look of a sofa. It can be used to brighten up the somewhat dull color of an armchair or even add a modern or more classic touch—depending on your choice—to your living room furniture. By pairing it with a few pretty throw pillows, you can create a cozy and comfortable space that invites you to relax.
Living room furniture free of harmful substances
Because indoor pollution poses a real health risk, it’s important to prioritize buying living room furniture that’s safe and responsibly manufactured. So, how do you choose the right living room furniture?
Whether it's a sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, or even wall shelves, you should always keep in mind that you have to make a choice:
- made from high-quality materials;
- with a chic and understated design;
- water-based finishes, free of chemicals;
- built to last.
Manufacturing that respects the planet and people's health
To enjoy living room furniture that is environmentally and health-conscious, choosing solid wood furniture is essential. This allows you to opt for sturdy, durable wood species, such as beech. As a result, the furniture will have a longer lifespan, which prevents you from having to replace it too often and promotes responsible consumption.
It’s also important to verify that the wood used comes from sustainably managed forests . To do this, it’s best to make sure that your living room furniture is PEFC-certified. To further reduce the carbon footprint of the sofa’s production, it’s a good idea to choose a sofa produced through a short supply chain—that is, where the distance between the forest and the manufacturing facility is less than 100 km.
To choose the right living room furniture, here are the key criteria you should generally consider:
- Made in France;
- high-quality, natural materials;
- timeless lines.
A Natural and Healthy Sofa
As the centerpiece of the living room, choosing a sofa is no easy task. Depending on the size of your family, as well as the available space, you’ll need to select the right size: a 2-seater or 3-seater, or even larger if necessary. It’s also essential to choose a natural, healthy model, as you should avoid any sofa containing volatile organic compounds and/or made from low-quality wood such as particleboard.
Sturdy, elegant, and eco-friendly wall shelves
To decorate the walls of your living room, consider hanging a few attractive wooden shelves. Both elegant and practical, they’ll add a personal touch to your interior by displaying books or various knickknacks. However, be sure to choose solid wood wall shelves—both for their durability and because they’re free of chemicals that are harmful to your health. Avoiding engineered wood—which is often treated with harmful chemicals—remains the most important consideration in all cases.
Decorative accessories that make all the difference
Once you've chosen your dining table and matching chairs, as well as your linens and living room furniture, it's time to focus on the essential decorative accessories. But be sure to choose them carefully.
To enhance your interior decor, what could be better than accessories tailored to each space in your home? Depending on the atmosphere you want to create in each room, you can choose the right decorative accessories. However, to add the finishing touch to your interior design, don’t forget to hang curtains on the windows. This decorative element will bring extra privacy and a warm atmosphere to your home, while adding a touch of elegance. It’s best to choose simple, lightweight sheers made from a high-quality fabric such as natural linen.