Design Public

For the eco-savvy among us, upholstered sofas and chairs that are truly green are the stuff of dreams. Not that they don’t exist — you can find seating made with recycled metal, natural latex or soy cushions and covered in hemp or organic cotton — if you are willing to shell out $5000+. If your budget is slightly (or a lot) more modest, don’t fret. You too can have green seating. In fact, you already have it.

Have your existing sofa or chair — the ones you hate — reupholstered in eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or even fabrics made of recycled PET plastic bottles. There are dozens of available options from companies like ModGreenPod, Rubie Green, and Near Sea Naturals or go to your nearest JoAnn fabric store. You’ll refresh your space in green style, and no one has to know you still have your old sofa or chairs.

Even if you’re a shopaholic and can’t resist buying furniture, head to your nearest yard sale or thrift store and hunt for a bargain chair or sofa with bones that you really love. Recover it and, voila! Brand new (to you), eco-chic furniture.

-Jennae

Jennae Petersen is a graphic designer by trade and a lover of interior design by nature — literally. She is the chief blogger at GreenYourDecor.com, a site dedicated to eco-friendly home décor products, projects, tips and inspiration.

Photo of Rubie Green’s Mary organic cotton fabric by Patrick Cline of www.brand-arts.com.