healthy decor

When I set out to write about eco-friendly wallpaper I thought this would be a pretty straightforward exercise of looking at the VOC levels of the inks.

It turned out newer wallpaper materials are far more complex and contain a lot more chemical additives than just paper and ink.

When The Ecology Center last did a study of the 11 leading wallpaper brands, they found that almost all of them contained PVC, and half of them contained other major chemicals of concern, including metals and toxic flame retardants.

This post outlines what I look for in a wallpaper and my top picks for healthy, non-toxic, eco-friendly brands.

The post covers brands available in North America, Europe and Australia.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Healthy Eco-Friendly Brands of Wallpaper

PVC-Free Wallpaper Lines

1. Spoonflower

Spoonflower wallpaper is made with water-based inks. They are formaldehyde, phthalate, and PVC-free.

They sell traditional (non-pasted), pre-pasted and peel and stick papers.

This is one of a few brands of peel and stick that is not made of PVC, so I really like this brand.

The peel and stick and pre-pasted are not fire rated so they would not contain a flame retardant. The non-pasted is fire rated and it’s not clear if it contains a chemical flame retardant.

They sell samples 10$ each.

They have offices in the US and Germany, and ship around the world. You can buy the wallpaper on Amazon.

2. Juju Papers

Juju Paper is a clay-coated wallpaper made with inks that are water-based and low VOC.

No PVC and no flame retardants are added, they stated in an email.

The papers are made in the USA and you can buy them online at Burke Decor.

3. Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball, a well-known UK based paint company, also makes wallpaper.

They use their line of low and zero-VOC water-based paints to create the wallpaper. Their paint is far lower odor than even 0-VOC acrylics. The binder in their paint is PVA, making it one of the lowest toxin paints I have ever tested.

These are PVC free. The company claims they are free of flame retardant chemicals.

I was happy with the samples I ordered. They seemed odorless to me. They appear more like a painted surface than an ink or plastic coated surface since they are made with paint.

They have showrooms in Europe, the US, and Canada. You can also buy it through their website and Amazon.

4. Ferm Living

5. MissPrint

7. Graham & Brown

8. Madison and Grow

9. Flat Vernacular 

Flat Vernacular’s digitally printed papers are made with water-based inks that are low-VOC. The grasscloth wallcoverings are handwoven from sisal fiber and are also printed with low-VOC waterbased inks.

Their hand-printed papers are printed with solvent-based inks.

All of their wallpapers are vinyl/PVC-free.

They don’t add chemical (or metal-based) flame retardants to the digitally printed wallpapers.

Their wallpapers are made in the USA. You can buy them from their online shop.

10. Eskayel

Eskayel’s Classic papers are manufactured with chlorine-free fiber that is clay coated.

The wide-format “Classic Papers” are made with latex saturated nylon-reinforced paper. They are printed digitally using the HP Latex aqueous pigment ink system which is non-toxic and VOC-free.

Their “Prima Wallpaper” is latex saturated nylon-reinforced paper and claims to be VOC-free as well.

The grasscloth wallcoverings are handwoven from sisal fiber which is backed with chemical-free cotton paper and printed with water-based latex inks. The grasscloth is breathable and VOC-free.

They have Class A fire rating. The company has not yet responded to requests for information about if flame retardants are added.

11. Maison C.

Maison C papers are printed in an “ecologically friendly manner” in the USA. They are PVC/vinyl-free.

They have two different papers that they use, one is Type II paper (PVC free), and one that is clay coated.

All inks are water-based and low-VOC. No flame retardants are added.

They are sold through showrooms in the US and Canada.

12. Makelike

Makelike papers are printed by hand with natural dyes/inks on recyclable paper. Unlike most conventional wallpapers, Makelike’s papers are not bleached.

They don’t use PVC anywhere in the products and they are not treated with flame retardants.

Based in the US, you can buy it from their website, they ship internationally or you can find a local stockist.

13. Woodchip & Magnolia

Woodchip & Magnolia is a UK based company that produces their papers in small batches. They use water-based inks. 

They have a whole “eco manifesto” and are very dedicated to sustainability.

They don’t use any PVC in any of the wallpapers and they don’t add any flame retardants. The substrate reaches the highest FR standard without the need for additional flame retardant chemicals.

Based in the UK, they ship worldwide.

14. Stories for Walls

Stories for Walls makes traditional non-woven pre-pasted wallpaper. It’s PVC-free.

It meets flame retardant standards, but the company did not respond to an inquiry on if flame retardant coatings or chemicals are added.

15. Erica Wakerly

Erica Wakerly papers are printed with environmentally friendly, light-fast, and non-toxic water-based inks.

The wallpapers are tested and certified for fire ratings without needing to add any flame retardant chemicals or coatings. They do not coat the paper in PVC.

A British company, Erica Wakerly has stockists around the world. If you are in the UK you can buy it online.

16. Brewster Home Fashions

Brewster Wall Coverings carry a line on Burke Decor that is listed as PVC-free and 0-VOC. They use waterbased inks.

It is listed as washable.

You can buy them online through Burke Decor.

17. Veruso Lino

This is a completely purist option! It is biodegradable because it is not made using inks or paints. It does not use any artificial dyes and produces no VOCs.

It is made of 65% flax and 35% viscose. There are no other ingredients.

The flame-retardant attributes come from the natural properties of the material. No chemical additives are used.

You apply it with a simple methyl cellulose paste.

This is a German company. You can buy it online – it ships around the world (including to North America).

18. Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap papers are printed with eco-friendly latex inks, which they say are odorless.

This non-woven paper is certified by the Nordic Swan Environmental Standard. None of their papers are coated in PVC.

Made in Romania, you can find them in North America through Burke Decor.

19. York Wallcoverings

York Wallcoverings uses low VOC, Water-based inks, printed on managed renewable forest paper.

Another exciting thing about this brand is that they have a vinyl/PVC-free peel and stick (pictured is one of the designs). This is on non-woven paper.

You can buy their papers on Burke Decor, and Amazon (US, Canada and UK).

20. Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines

Joanne Gaines collection of wallpaper is non-woven prepasted paper.

It’s low VOC, make with water-based inks and I like that they make a point to make sure there is no cadmium or mercury.

Even the Peel and Sticks are listed as PVC-free on some vendor’s websites.

21. Seabrooke Wallcoverings

The Tortuga Collection by Seabrook Wallcoverings uses a non-vinyl acrylic-coating on the paper. Acrylic is much safer than vinyl.

This wallpaper comes unpasted and is washable.

22. Wallquest

Wallquest papers are printed on paper from renewable forests or recycled sources. They use water-based inks.

None of the non-vinyl wall coverings have PVC added as a coating.  

You can buy it from Burke Decor.

Types of Wallpaper by Material

• Vinyl – the most common type of wallpaper is vinyl backed which is vinyl on the face with paper or fabric on the back. Paper can also be vinyl coated (which is a slightly different type than vinyl-backed). Solid vinyl wallpaper is also available, this makes up most of the peel and stick market. If a paper is labeled as strippable, this is most likely vinyl coated, but not always.
• Paper – this type is printed onto paper. Many paper wallpapers are clay-coated. Many paper wallpapers are not coated in plastic (acrylic or vinyl). Ask if you are unsure. They are often very breathable.
• Non-woven – a mixture of synthetic and natural fibers (just like gauze and teabags). The fibers are combined with binders and reinforced with acrylates. You can “paste the wall” instead of the wallpaper. It may or may not be vinyl coated.
• Fabric – these wallpapers are made of textiles like cotton, silk, raffia, felt, linens, or twines, and sometimes they are laminated onto regular wallpaper. They can sometimes be coated with vinyl or acrylic.
• Grasscloth – made from natural fibers including grasscloth, hemp, jute, reed, or arrowroot. You will also want to know what the backing material is, it might be paper.
• Flocked – these have a suede-like or fuzzy velvet-like texture, and they are printed on a paper backing. The texture is a polyester, nylon, or rayon flock applied to an adhesive-coated backing. If it says wipeable, I would inquire into the face coating.
• Metallic – these are usually paper backed with foils laid on top. The foil is usually aluminum.
• Hessian – made of hemp or jute, this natural textile has a burlap look.
• Wood veneer – this is a real wood veneer backed on to paper, hung with standard wallpaper paste. The coating is likely a waterbased polyurethane. You should verify the backing and coating.
• Mylar – the top layer decorative design is covered with a thin film of polyester making it washable. The backing is paper.
• Fiberglass – this can be in the form of a fiberglass fabric like wall covering. It can be vinyl-free or it can be coupled with vinyl wallpaper.

Non-Toxic Wallpaper Paste

When hanging wallpaper, you’ll also want to make sure you use a non-toxic paste (glue/adhesive).

First, talk to the company about which type of paste is needed. Or start with looking only at paper-based or non-woven wallpapers that can be applied with the least toxic cellulose or starch paste.

Personally I would stick to light to medium weight paper-backed wallpaper that is not coated with vinyl. These wallpapers are breathable, less toxic than other options, and can be hung with a simple paste. Just check with the company to be sure. Many non-woven wallpapers can also be applied with the basic paste.

If you would like to go with a wall covering that needs a stronger adhesive. I would talk to the brand about the options and test them for your own tolerability if you are sensitive to chemicals.

Types of Paste:

Standard Adhesive 

Made of methylcellulose or starch these work for light to heavy paper-based wallpapers. They are totally benign.

Auro makes a wallpaper paste that is just methylcellulose for paper-backed wallpaper, both thin and some heavy wallpaper types. The powder is made of pure (beech) methylcellulose and is mixed with water. There is no need to buy a branded version unless that is easier for you.

Make you own:

1. 1. Methylcellulose – you can buy methylcellulose on Amazon to make your own paste. Cellulose paste is particularly suited to light to medium weight paper backed paper. It can also work on some grass-cloth and paper-backed cork wall-coverings.

• 2. Starch-based paste – usually made from flour and alum. Caution with alum, as this aluminum sulfate. In some cases, an essential oil might be added as a preservative. Dextrin can also be used in some formulas.

• Branded starch-based powder like Graham ana Brown’s paste does have a biocide in it.
• If the company allows for methylcellulose as a paste, I would mix it myself.

Vinyl Adhesive

Clay-based paste has a base of clay, dextrin, and cellulose. What else is in it is not obvious.

A popular brand Shur Stik lists VOCs as less than 10 g/l – which means there is more in here than the natural substances listed above. Roman Pro 732 lists VOCs as less than 5 g/l.

This adhesive is used on vinyl wallpaper, heavyweight fabric, flexible wood, mylar and foil types.

Clear vinyl paste is made of natural polymers such as wheat and corn starch or on synthetic polymers. It’s not been made obvious what the synthetic polymers are. Other additives may include cellulose, biocides, and flow agents.

Roman PRO-838 Heavy Duty Clear Wallcovering Adhesive is a clear wallpaper paste for medium to heavy wallpaper, that has the VOCs listed as less than 5 g/l, which is very low.

Other Additives

Some pastes have PVA in them, this is a safe adhesive that is the base of white Elmer’s glue and carpenter’s glues.

Typical wallpaper paste is made with fungicide – both dry mix and ready mix.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 6 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

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Non-Toxic Eco Rugs: The Top Natural and Organic Options

There are only a few companies who have gone the extra mile to fully disclose what is in their rugs. These are the top companies making green healthy rugs safe for those avoiding toxins in the home.

Those avoiding chemicals should avoid rugs with a synthetic latex backing, glues, moth treatments which is a pesticide, usually permethrin (on wool), and other topical treatments such as stain guard treatments.

For those very sensitive to chemicals you may even want to avoid rugs treated with detergents, or dyes (possibly even eco dyes).

Non-Toxic Wall-to-Wall Carpet is Covered Here

This post contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Earth Weave (Wool)

Earth Weave – Earth Weave rugs are made out of wool, with no mothproofing and no other chemical treatments to the rugs.

Dyes are organic. The rugs do contain natural latex. Custom sizes are possible.

You can order them through Green Design Center.

A 4 x 6 rug is $418

2. DMI (Seagrass)

DMI – makes rugs out of their carpet material. These are seagrass rugs with no dyes, insecticide or chemical treatments. They do contain natural latex in the backing.

They also make wool rugs.

Contact Green Design Center to choose the custom size.

3. Novica (Wool)

Novica  – Has a number of Mexican Zapotec 100% wool rugs dyed with natural dyes, they do not contain any other treatment, they claim, such as mothproofing, stain-resistant coatings and natural latex.

A 4 x 6 wool rug is about $390.

4. Loloi Rugs (Wool/Mixed)

Urban Natural – Carries Loloi rugs that are 100% wool, and wool/jute. They use vegetable dyes and no adhesives.

You can buy samples of the Loloi rugs from Urban Natural.

A 4 x 6 rug is about $220.

5. Hook and Loom (Wool or Cotton)

Hook and Loom – One of my top choices for rugs because of how forthcoming they are, and the fact that they used untreated wool.

The wool rugs are made from undyed natural wool, no detergents, no pesticides, no flame retardants, and no latex.

A 4 x 6 wool rug is around $245.

They also have cotton rugs that are made from recycled cotton, and some polyester.

4 x 6 is around $90.

6. Organic Weave (Wool & Cotton)

Organic Weave –  Another great pick – these are the only GOTS certified organic rugs I have seen. Their rugs are made from wool and cotton and dyed with all-natural dyes.

They claim no chemicals in the cleaning of the raw material and the dyeing of the yarn or the final cleaning of the rugs. No synthetic moth treatments or chemical flame retardants. The wool rugs do have latex. They deliver to Canada and the US without import duties.

A 5 x 8 rug is around $2400

7. Lorena Canals (Cotton)

Lorena Canals – What I like about these rugs is that they are washable. That might suit some people more than the other options. 97% cotton with “eco dyes”.

A 4 x 5 rug is $230.

8. Cali Bamboo (Bamboo, Cotton, Jute, Bamboo, Wool)

Cali Bamboo – Carries some rugs that are undyed, unbleached but I did not hear back from them with the full specs (mothproofing etc.).

They carry a number of lines: rugs are made of various materials from wool mixes, jute, bamboo, PET (plastic), nylon, and cotton. Rugs made out of denim scraps usually retain the chemical fabric treatment of the blue jeans or might be recycled.

Bamboo rug pictured is $135 for 4 x 6.

9. Dana Haim (Wool & Cotton)

Dana Haim – Uses natural dyes but I did not hear back any other details when I asked. The wool and cotton rugs are handmade in Mexico.

10. Libeco (Linen) 

Libeco – Libeco is a company that makes linen in Europe. All of their linen is either organic or usually grown without pesticides (only in the odd occasion). It is all Oeko Tex 100 which certifies no chemical additives to the rug. 

When the linen is in its natural color it does not have dyes. Technically they are dry clean only, but you can hand wash them and dry them flat on hung in a way that they won’t wrinkle.

A 4 x 6 rug is $415.

Bonus, Plastic Woven Rugs

Some who are very sensitive to chemicals, mold, dust, and allergens often like plastic woven rugs.

Sensitive folks have reported liking:

• Polypropylene rugs from The Company Store.
• Nylon washable indoor/outdoor rugs from Pottery Barn (which do have rubber latex on the backing).
• Washable polyester and polyurethane rugs with a backing that is made from polyester and rubber (latex-free) from Ruggable.
• 100% polypropylene rugs from World Market (some have said they also like their natural fiber rugs, even though the company does not divulge a lot about how they are treated).

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 6 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!

 

This is a complete list of eco-friendly non-toxic sofas that you can buy online. I start with conventional sofas, digging into what’s really in them, and then look at some simpler and more affordable options.

I also take a deep dive into furniture, starting with the specialty brands – those are mostly high-quality solid wood options with 0-VOC finishes. Then on to simple inexpensive furniture made of safe materials like glass, hard plastic, metal, and seagrass.

Non-Toxic Sofas and Couches

For upholstered furniture you want to look for:

• Natural cushion fill such as natural latex, cotton, down and wool (See my warning about natural latex here. The concerns may be more related to beds, but I can’t say for sure).
• No chemical/formaldehyde treatments on the fabric (such as Scotch Guard and other stain and water-resistant coatings).
• Eco Leather – Conventional leather is made with toxic dyes and treatments. Some folks may prefer leather due to the ability to wipe it down. Brands that use safer leather are covered in a dedicated post.
• Solid woods, not formaldehyde filled pressed wood products.
• Zero or low-VOC glues, stains and varnishes
• Flame retardant free (my post on flame retardants goes into detail on which ones we want to avoid) but the picks here are FR free.
• Polyurethane does offgas at low levels, but I don’t rule it out completely. Make sure it is flame retardant free (“Soy Foam” is still polyurethane with some soy).
• GOTS certified fabrics and GOLS certified latex – both are explained in this post on certifications.

Many of the companies below also offer upholstered chairs, recliners and non-toxic sofa beds/sleeper sofas. You will have to choose between polyurethane or natural latex in the beds.

If you need assistance choosing the best sofas and furniture for your needs and sensitivities, please contact me for a one-on-one consultation. 

For mattresses and bed frames see my post on mattresses and bedding. 

I recommend all of the products here, some products have affiliate programs and some do not. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

The 8 Top Non-Toxic Sofa Brands You Can Buy Online

1. Urban Natural

They carry Cisco Inside Green and Essentials collection, see the section below on all the details on Cisco’s materials.

The carry regular sized sofas, loveseats and sectionals.

They carry a few other lines that are typical material sofas:

• Younger + Co does not mention anything about what is in their sofas.
• American Leather claims they use water-based pigments on the leather, polyurethane (with soy) foam, and they are free of flame retardants.
• Environment sofas use reclaimed/recycled wood and canvas. The cushions are organic feathers + down, with or without polyurethane. You can upgrade to organic latex, jute, hemp, and wool.
• Luonto uses polyurethane foam. There is no other indication of what kinds of materials they use.

They carry sleeper sofas by American Leather and Luonto.

Made in the USA. Delivery to contiguous US states.

Start at $1900

2. Medley

Medley sofas are made with either polyurethane or organic natural latex, 0-VOC glues, no flame retardants, fabric options that are all-natural, organic, or both, solid alder frames with natural or 0-VOC finishes, and organic cotton internal frame lining. 

They offer a sample kit which is really helpful for those who want to check out the materials first.

They carry loveseats, standard size sofas, sectionals, and sleeper sofas.

They offer leather as an upholstery option. It’s semi-aniline leather with a water-based coating on top, which I talk more about in the leather furniture post.

You can use code MyChemFreeHouse5 for 5% off.

Made in the USA. Delivery to the US, Canada and beyond.

Start at $1500

3. Cisco Brothers

Cisco Brothers sofas are either the Essentials Collection or they can be made with the Inside Green option.

The base line is called Essentials Collection which contains hardwood (no plywood), typically alder or maple, polyurethane foam, cushions with goose feathers & down. Fabrics are washed to remove any residual dust or chemicals.

The Inside Green option contains organic natural latex instead of polyurethane, wrapped in either eco wool or feathers & down. They use certified solid woods, organic cotton fabrics with no toxic treatments, jute and hemp instead of springs, and WOCA natural stains. No flame retardants are used.

The make regular sized sofas, loveseats and sectionals.

Start at $2300

Made in the USA. Sold at locations throughout the US and Canada. You can also order online from Urbangreenfurniture which carries the “Inside Green” option. Those start $3400

4. EcoBalanza

These handmade, customized sofas are high quality and made with traditional methods – and that means less glue and more options with what materials are used.

They use organic wool, organic cotton, GOLS certified organic natural Dunlop latex, and GOTS certified fabrics. No flame retardants are used anywhere. Kapok and down are offered in some configurations.

They use non-toxic 0-VOC glues and Rubio Monocoat stains. They can use a different finish if the customer is sensitive to Rubio, or they can leave it unfinished. Solid wood frames are made of alder and beech, ash is usually used for the legs.

They can also accommodate a latex allergy by completely leaving out and replacing the latex.

The make 3 seaters, loveseats, and sectionals. (They also make chairs, ottomans, bed frames and headboards).

They make leather sofas with EcoPell leather which is unsealed, vegetable-tanned, and free of heavy metals. It’s the only truly safe leather on the list – I do into detail on why that is here.

This is the most customizable brand on the list. The Essential Collection is more of option than a collection, and is a more affordable option.

Handmade in Seattle, they ship to all states and to Canada.

Start at $3800

5. Pottery Barn Eco Sofa

Pottery Barn has a lot of options that I would consider in their green line. Pictured above is the slipcover from Amazon for the roll arm style. They also have a square arm.

The down blend is 50% polyester fiber, 45% duck feather, and 5% duck down. After emailing the company, it sounds like the down option has no foam, but I would double-check.

The foam option is, unfortunately, polyurethane memory foam, I prefer regular polyurethane. Memory foams are usually higher in offgassing than regular foam (though not necessarily). These don’t contain flame retardants.

They use solid wood inside the construction and some of the fabric options are GOTS certified organic cotton. This sets them apart from most other large national big brands.

With Greenguard Gold certification, this is an extremely low level of allowed formaldehyde (0.0073 parts per million).

For someone wanting to avoid both latex and polyurethane, and still looking for something affordable, this could be a good option.

They offer standard size couches, loveseats and sectionals.

They deliver to the contiguous US states.

$1000 – $2900

6. Couch

Made with solid alder, low-VOC wood glue, water-based stains, and polyurethane foam or latex.

The latex is either 100% natural or 70% natural/30% lab-made rubber, with no flame retardants. Very few of the fabrics are treated with flame retardants. Polyester batting can be swapped out for wool batting.

They make leather sofas.

They offer sofas, loveseats, sectionals and sleeper sofas.

Made in America, order in-store in Seattle, limited shipping outside of Seattle.

Start at $1700

7. Savvy Rest Couch

Made with solid maple (no plywood or particleboard), GOTS-certified organic upholstery (hemp and/or cotton), natural latex wrapped in organic wool, and the option of a linseed finish or unfinished feet. No flame retardants.

They make sofas and loveseats.

Made in America they ship to all states and Canada.

Starts at $3500

8. PURE

Made with organic latex with a feather and down wrap, solid maple wood, organic wool, GOTS certified organic cotton, Greenguard certified water-based glue, and Rubio Monocoat wood finish on legs. No flame retardants are used.

They offer sofas, loveseats, sectionals and some sleeper sofas.

Made in America. They ship to the 48 contiguous states. It’s possible to order one to Canada but you need a customs broker.

Start at $1400

Alternative Sofa Options: Simple and Affordable 

Daybeds and Futons

Metal Daybeds

If you are too sensitive to wood and typical sofa materials, or you just want something simpler and cheaper, you could try a metal daybed from Walmart, IKEA or Amazon and put a non-toxic mattress of your choosing on it.

This Zinus Daybed will accommodate a MondoKing Thermarest.

Futons

You can buy simple futons with a wood or metal base from Amazon or IKEA.

IKEA makes a futon and simple metal-based sofa that contains polyurethane foam (no flame retardants) but this option cuts back on other toxic materials used in regular sofas.

A simple sofa with a washable cover can be an asset to those with sensitivities and allergies who need to launder items often.

An even simpler option from IKEA is the Hammarn little futon for $129. This has a metal frame, and only a small amount of polyurethane (no flame retardants). A simple option like this can be quite non-toxic and offgas rather quickly, especially after a little time airing out.

The more polyurethane, the more you have to offgas. Not all futons have foam though. You have to check what the fill is.

The more components you have inside a typical sofa, the more offgassing you have from pressed wood products, stains, and glues. Futons eliminate pressed wood products and cut down on glues used. They often don’t have stains.

Metal frames eliminate all offgassing of both stains and wood glues.

If you want a proper futon bed for sleeping made of truly safe or natural materials check out my post on mattresses where I outline a number of options in this category.

Outdoor Furniture

You could also look at outdoor furniture to be used inside. The benefit here would be the simplicity of the design. Metal, plastic or solid wood as the base. Cushions that can be left outside to offgas or replaced with a cushion of your choice.

Outdoor cushions are made with either polyurethane or polyester fill and the covers can have waterproofing on them, but because of the ability to remove them from the sofa and offgas them, this could be a simple, affordable and healthy option for many.

Here are three options from Amazon: solid wood outdoor sofa, metal-framed outdoor chairs, and a plastic-based outdoor sofa.

2. Non-Toxic Furniture

Tables, Chairs, Bookcases and Storage

For non-toxic 0-VOC tables, chairs, bookcases, benches and storage units look for solid wood (with zero-VOC stains and varnishes), and zero or low-VOC adhesives.

Low odor woods are preferable for some sensitive people.

Avoid laminated wood which has particle board or MDF board. Plywood is not as high in offgassing as MDF or particle board.

There are some formaldehyde-free pressed wood products like Purebond plywood (though some sensitive folks react to that proprietary glue).

Some types of furniture are more likely to have a veneer of real wood glued on to a lower quality wood. In some styles this is hard to avoid.

Urban Natural – Uses either natural oils and a beeswax finish or a zero-VOC water-based catalyzed varnish finish. The glues vary by manufacturer. One brand uses a Cradle-to-Cradle certified (toxicity level yellow) glue.

Urbangreenfurniture – Their wood furniture is treated with low-VOC stains. They use non-toxic, low-VOC glues.

Viesso – Uses ECOS 0-VOC finishes (which are very well tolerated by the chemically sensitive) or natural oil and wax finishes on wooden furniture. They use 0-VOC glues.

Medley – Has some beautiful solid wood furniture, sealed with WoodShield and made with 0 VOC glues. You can use the code MyChemFreeHouse5 for 5% off.

Something simple – this solid wood desk with an incredibly low VOC (maybe 0-VOC) finish came highly recommended by someone sensitive. It’s only $156, so a total deal. From Stables! You could use it as a desk as well if you put some rolling metal drawers under it.

Non-Toxic Vintage Furniture

Vintage or reclaimed wooden furniture might be safe and healthy if you are sure it hasn’t been refinished recently with conventional products, and it has not been exposed to chemical cleaning products, smoke, mold, pesticides, or other chemical substances.

With upholstered items, take extra care to make sure it wasn’t from a time frame when flame retardants were even more toxic. The post on flame retardants goes into more detail.

Solid Wood Amish Furniture

If you can’t find what you are looking for in the eco stores or in big box stores, try Amish furniture making companies. They build solid wood furniture. They often use linseed oil as a finish but unfinished can usually be requested.

Non-Toxic Desks

Solid wood desk (pictured) with a low-VOC finish from Urbangreenfurniture.

Vermont Woods also makes solid wood desks with a very low VOC lacquer.

Solid wood desks from specialty stores tend to be pricey.

Uplift makes standing desks with solid wood as an option for the top, and metal as the legs. The finish has been reported as extremely low odor and has GreenGuard Gold certification.

On Amazon, you can find simple solid wood desks, like this affordable solid fir option, and this sturdy solid wood sawhorse style desk.

With Amazon you usually can’t find out what stain/varnish was used. Usually, a clear coat is a safe bet for the mildly and moderately sensitive.

You can get the same style in glass and metal for the super sensitive.

Bedroom Furniture

Green Cradle – This company makes 100% solid wood bedroom furniture, either unfinished or finished with linseed oil. They have dressers, chests, armoires, bookcases, nightstands and cribs.

Pacific Rim Woodworking – This company makes beds and dressers out of solid wood, Purebond (no added formaldehyde) plywood, and they have options for natural and 0-VOC finishes. 

Romina Furniture – Makes furniture for the bedroom for babies, kids and teens. They use solid wood only, organic natural glues, and a variety of non-toxic finishes.

Baby Eco Trends – Makes furniture for babies and children. Solid wood, Amish made, with a choice of finishes. 

Medley – Makes bedroom furniture out of solid wood and bamboo, with all-natural finishes. You can use code MyChemFreeHouse5 for 5% off.

Zin Home – Makes bedroom furniture, much of it out of reclaimed wood, and some with natural finishes. They were not able to tell me what all the finishes were, as the items are made overseas.

Vermont Woods – Solid wood bedroom furniture (some pieces have veneer), with very low VOC lacquer.

TY Furniture – A focus on non-toxic furniture, this company uses solid woods, non-toxic natural oils and wax finishes with non-toxic glues.

3. Alternatives to Wooden Furniture

Solid wood furniture from specialty stores tends to be expensive. Here are some alternatives.

These would also suit those who don’t do well with the odor of wood or have severe allergies and reactions to mold, dust, and allergens.

Non-porous, low toxin furniture that can easily be wiped down with a variety of cleaning products is a huge advantage for many.

Many of these options are also less expensive which is well suited to those starting over after a moldy or toxic house.

Glass, Metal, Stone & Plastic Furniture

Metal Furniture

Metal is one of the safest materials. Metal may need to be washed down in order to remove factory oils, but otherwise most finishes don’t offgas.

Powder-coated metal is the safest painted look finish. Electroplated finishes are totally safe, along with metals that doesn’t require any finish like chrome and stainless steel. Metal finishes, even if they used a paint, usually cure quite quickly. 

Bertoia style metal chairs, pictured, are popular. There are many metal chairs on Amazon that are very affordable.

Other furniture items you can find in metal are cabinets, drawers, even a chest of drawers though there are some wood products in there, shelves, tables of all sizes, kitchen prep islands, desks, bed frames, TV stands and more.

I really like this coral console table storage unit.

Glass Furniture

Glass is the most inert material for furniture. It will most often be coupled with metal like this glass and metal coffee table, black glass and metal desk, and this bar cart.

But, it can be paired with acrylic plastic like this totally transparent glass and acrylic desk below.

It’s possible to find pieces that are pure glass, like this table from Amazon (pictured) which is surprisingly affordable for a glass product.

Hard Plastic Furniture

Hard plastics are generally safe and are tolerable for most people. Almost all furniture made of hard plastic will be a low or no offgassing plastic. Sometimes it needs a couple days to air out.

I have seen many of these mid-century style chairs (pictured) in person and they were very inert. Some have metal legs if you want to avoid all wood.

Hard polypropylene, ABX and acrylic are all highly tolerable, low to 0 offgassing plastics. These polypropylene shelves/organizers pictured below could look cool (they come in metal as well).

You can also find many items made of clear acrylic like this really neat trunk, coffee tables, side tables, shelves, and other unique storage units on Amazon.

Sterilite is a plastic that even the very chemically sensitive usually do well with (a mix of polypropylene and polyethylene). You can find drawers made of Sterilite.

Slightly more flexible is the plastic used to make outdoor faux rattan furniture.

Usually these are made of safer plastics (like polypropylene) that will work for most folks who are sensitive to chemicals. Make sure it’s not made of PVC which I have come across (rarely) with outdoor wicker. The one pictured could even be used indoors in a beachy style home.

Stone Furniture

Marble and other stone can be made into tabletops. Marble is made with a resin used to fill in the fissures, and a sealer would also be applied to furniture. You will have to reseal it if it gets heavy use.

It’s harder to find real stone furniture online. This is one real marble table from Amazon. You will find real stone furniture more readily in brick and mortar or specialty stores.

Faux marble is most often laminate (with particleboard) not ideal for the chemically sensitive. Though it could also be a safe hard plastic, or a less safe hard plastic (like cultured marble). It could also be engineered stone which is usually 0 VOC. Be sure to check out what it is made of.

This faux marble island is quartz, which is safe and 0-VOC (but like marble, not cheap).

Rattan, Seagrass, & Banana Leaf Furniture

You might also want to consider furniture made of natural fibers: rattan (a vine), banana leaves (the leaves from banana trees), seagrass (a reed) and bamboo (a grass).

The outdoor “rattan” is usually plastic woven in a wicker style, and works best for outdoor furniture. Real rattan and similar fibers can be used to make low toxin and even stylish indoor furniture.

The term “paper rope” is not a natural grass or reed, but rather paper mixed with glue and “sizing” chemical twisted together. It resembles rattan. If you are looking for real rattan, be sure to double-check.

Rattan can look stylish inside, despite being very simple:

Are rattan, banana leaves and seagrass treated?

Many very sensitive folks do well with these fibers. Though it’s possible the plants were sprayed while they were growing or sprayed with pesticides in transit if they are coming from tropical countries as an import (source).

Rattan

Rattan is a vine that is technically a wood product. Amazon carries a selection of natural rattan chairs, most of them $100 – $200. IKEA carries rattan chairs from $50 – $180.

You can also find rattan headboards (IKEA has one with a wire frame), trays, baskets, stools, coffee tables, storage pieces and even mirrors.

More bed frames in my post on mattresses and bedding.

Banana Fiber

Banana leaves or banana fiber are the leaves from Banana trees. You can find it made into stools or poufs.

IKEA has a banana fiber stool and so does Amazon (pictured).

Seagrass

The terms seagrass and water hyacinth are used interchangeably in the furniture industry.

The leaves and stems are made into furniture like this storage basket. You can also find seagrass coffee tables, rugs (more in my post on non-toxic rugs), and various types and styles of storage baskets.

Related posts:

• Mattresses, Bedding and Bed Frames
• Non-Toxic Rugs

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 6 years of experience helping others create healthy homes

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