Top Eco-Friendly Ways to Furnish a New Home
By Cora Gold
You have a new pad but not much left in your coffers for couches. Guess what? You don’t need a bankroll to outfit your house beautifully.
Scores of places sell sustainable used goods, preventing countless emissions from manufacturing and transport. Save money and create one-of-a-kind decor with these eco-friendly ways to furnish your new home.
Green Home Furnishing 101
To furnish your home sustainably, you must first understand the term, especially since greenwashing abounds. Sustainability means meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to do so.
Following that principle when furnishing a new home means considering your furniture’s life cycle. Investing in cheaply made, low-quality items now with the hope of upgrading later creates tons of unnecessary waste and emissions.
For example, you might find a majestic solid oak headboard at a thrift shop or yard sale for the same price as a mass-produced pressboard model. However, the oak will stand the test of time — you may even pass it down to your kids — while the pressboard will soon become landfill fodder after releasing harmful VOCs into the atmosphere.
How can you avoid wasteful, if inexpensive, purchases? Use these tips before shopping.
> Be mindful: Instead of buying things willy-nilly, think carefully about what you want your home’s interior to look like. Having a theme prevents impulse buys that may clash with other items.
> There’s an app for that: Use free interior design apps to design your layout. Doing so lets you plan wisely, ensuring you have sufficient space for that new couch without cluttering your living room.
12 Eco-Friendly Ways to Furnish a New Home
Where should you turn for home furnishings? Check these resources for bargains that are better for the planet and your wallet.
1. Freebies
Craiglist has a free stuff section, and Nextdoor also lets neighbors list freebies. If you moved to a new townhome or condo, your neighborhood may have a community bulletin board or a small area where residents can place donations. Late Saturday and Sunday afternoon might score you yard sale leftovers as people close up shop.
2. Facebook Marketplace
This social media platform lets sellers build a trustworthy profile and accept multiple payment methods besides cash. Be aware shipping practices may vary with any online purchase.
3. eBay
eBay offers two ways to buy. You can bid on items you like or seek those with the “Buy It Now” option if online auctions don’t thrill you.
4. Craigslist
Craigslist lets you seek items for sale near you, though you’ll typically meet in person to conduct the transaction. Follow safety rules, such as meeting in a public place and bringing a buddy — avoid going to a private home alone.
5. Nextdoor
Nextdoor also features secondhand furniture for free or on sale near you. This app adds people by their ZIP code, making it easier to find nearby goodies.
6. OfferUp
OfferUp is another app where private sellers may sell your dream couch. Buying secondhand is more eco-friendly than buying new. It reduces the need for raw materials and lowers manufacturing and shipping emissions.
7. Charitable Thrift Shops
Trying on clothes at a thrift shop can be a fun Sunday date. However, you might also find furniture galore. Habitat for Humanity is the crème de la crème of home improvement items and furnishings on a budget, but other shops run by nonprofits like the Salvation Army and Goodwill may also be available near you.
8. Antique Shops
Genuine antiques are over 100 years old and bear a distinctive mark declaring their value. Do your homework. You might get lucky, scoring a bargain that auctions for much more than you pay.
9. Pawn Shops
Pawn shops hold onto goods traded for cash for a prescribed period. Once it expires, you can snatch up furnishings on the cheap.
10. Estate Sales
Estate sales are typically more upscale and pricey than garage and yard sales. However, they take place after someone passes away and may offer a wider furniture selection — save the deceased’s goods from landfills while scoring bargains.
11. Garage and Yard Sales
Garage and yard sales let you see your purchase in person, unlike buying online. You can “test-drive” that new couch before bringing it home.
12. Hand-Me-Downs
Hand-me-downs can be the ultimate freebies. Even if you trade a bit of your time and labor, you leave filled with nostalgia after spending quality time with family or friends.
Save Money and the Planet When Furnishing a New Home
Buying quality used furniture is the ultimate eco-friendly way to furnish your new home. Avoid wasteful impulse purchases and tread lightly on your wallet and the environment by sourcing secondhand home furnishings from these locations.
About the author: Cora Gold is a sustainability writer who aims to live a healthy, low-waste lifestyle. Read more from Cora in Revivalist magazine, LinkedIn and Twitter.