Sustainability starts at home – and that also applies to your furnishings. Instead of buying new furniture, you can make your living space environmentally friendly and unique by recycling and upcycling. Here you can find out how to upcycle old furniture, design your patio sustainably and transform your garden into a green living space.
Furniture recycling: give old pieces new life
Furniture recycling means giving old or disused furniture a second life. Instead of throwing it away, you can make your furniture usable again with small repairs and a little creativity.
Tips for furniture recycling:
- Repair instead of throwing away: Repair wobbly chairs or chipped tables. Simple measures are often enough to make old furniture functional and beautiful again.
- Repaint with sustainable paint: A new coat of paint can work wonders. Use environmentally friendly paints and varnishes that do not contain any harmful chemicals.
Upcycling: turn old into new and better
Upcycling involves transforming old furniture into new, more valuable pieces. There are no limits to your creativity here – supposed scrap is turned into truly unique pieces.
Furniture upcycling ideas:
- Building pallet furniture: You can use old pallets to build stylish sofas, shelves or tables. Add a few cushions and you have a rustic eye-catcher.
- New life for old upholstered furniture: Cover old armchairs or sofas with new fabric to give them a modern look.
- Old chests of drawers as vanity units: With a little craftsmanship and a beautiful wash basin, you can turn an old chest of drawers into a stylish bathroom cabinet.
Sustainable lacquer: environmentally friendly and healthy
When upcycling furniture, choosing the right varnish plays a crucial role in achieving a sustainable result. Sustainable varnishes are made from environmentally friendly ingredients that contain fewer harmful chemicals and solvents. These lacquers are often water-based and do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which pollute the environment and can be harmful to health. When buying, look out for certificates such as the EU Ecolabel or the Blue Angel, which guarantee that the paint has been produced in an environmentally friendly way. By using such sustainable paints, you not only protect the environment, but also create a healthy living environment.
Sustainable furnishings: buying furniture consciously
If you want to buy new furniture, make sure you choose sustainable options. This means that the furniture is made from environmentally friendly materials and produced under fair working conditions.
Tips for purchasing sustainable furniture:
- Check certificates: Look out for furniture with certificates such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which ensures that the wood comes from sustainable forestry.
- Second-hand furniture: Second-hand shops, flea markets and online platforms offer a large selection of second-hand furniture that is often of high quality and unique.
- Support local manufacturers: Buy furniture from local artisans or small businesses that often use more sustainable practices than large furniture chains.
Sustainable patio and garden design
Your outdoor area can also be sustainable and beautiful. With a few simple measures, you can create an environmentally friendly oasis.
Sustainable tips for your garden and patio:
- Raised beds made from recycled wood: Use old boards or pallets to build raised beds. This allows you to grow vegetables and herbs sustainably.
- Upcycling garden furniture: Sand down old garden furniture and repaint it to make it weatherproof and beautiful again.
- Composting: A compost heap in the garden helps you turn kitchen and garden waste into valuable fertiliser.
- Natural design: Choose native plants that provide a habitat for insects and birds. Avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides and use natural alternatives instead.
Conclusion: Sustainable living and design
Sustainable furnishings don’t have to be expensive or complicated. With recycling, upcycling and the conscious choice of materials, you can make your home and garden not only stylish but also environmentally friendly. In this way, you can actively contribute to environmental protection and create a cosy, personal environment at the same time.