Image from Viesso 

     I came across this image and thought it was a great idea to talk and research about sustainable couches. Couches can be found in a variety of places typically in the family room, living room, den or the lounge of residences. They are covered in a variety of textiles or in leather. They also come in a variety of colors, patterns, and materials. It is really important for us to understand every single piece that makes this furniture come to life, and it is even more important that we select couches that are using Eco-friendly materials that are not going to harm our indoor air quality as well as our environment. 

     So I started a list of things to consider when selecting a couch for your project, or a couch that you want to buy for your home. Feel free to add more to the list since it is an open research.

• Make sure the frame is made of FSC- Certified wood. Frames provide the foundation of the sofa, and by choosing FSC- Certified wood you can be sure that the wood is harvested in a sustainable manner from well- managed forests that responsibly protect our environment.

• The springs used for couches usually provide comfort and structural integrity. Make sure they are made of  recycled metals preventing metals to go to landfills, or the use of new raw materials.

• Foams provide firmness and comfort to your couch. Look for 100 percent natural fillers that are unbleached and not chemically treated. Try to look for organic, sustainably farmed materials. Some options can be all natural latex made from rubber trees, wool, organic cotton. By selecting a 100 percent natural foam/filler you know that your couch is going to be free of chemicals that will not cause allergic reactions or create negative impacts on the indoor air quality of your space.

• Synthetic fabrics should be avoided because usually they cannot be recycled and also require an energy- intensive manufacturing process. They are usually full of chemicals that create risky health factors for factory workers or consumers that have chemical sensitivity. Try to look for fabrics that are organically made or have no harmful chemicals.

• Adhesives/Finishes also play an important role when selecting Eco-friendly products. It is better if the products used emit no/low VOC, or are not made of other chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Usually adhesives/ finishes when not selected properly can create a negative impact in the indoor air quality of the space.