The industry has shifted toward more sustainable raw materials, including reclaimed or sustainable woods and eco-friendly fabrics. Fortunately, what is good for the world is also good for business. In addition to reducing environmental impact, sustainable hospitality furniture can boost brand image and create a healthier environment for guests and staff.
Materials to Use in Sustainable Hospitality Furniture
The best materials for sustainable hospitality furniture are renewable, low-impact, and biodegradable. These six materials minimize environmental impact while delivering a quality, eco-friendly finished piece.
Bamboo
Stronger than steel and flexible enough to be used for a variety of purposes, bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials. It grows fast, regenerates quickly, and is abundant.
Bamboo can be processed into boards, wood panels, and fabric. With its remarkable tensile strength, bamboo is also durable and long-lasting.
Cork
Cork is a renewable bark that can be sustainably harvested. An excellent natural insulator with an attractive texture, cork is lightweight and soft but durable.
Cork is an excellent material to use in headboards, benches, chairs, nightstands, and end tables.
Reclaimed materials
Reclaimed materials are an excellent choice for sustainable hospitality furniture. Reusing materials that would otherwise be discarded gives them a second life and preserves existing resources.
Reclaimed materials can be beautiful as is or melted down and reformed. Common ones include unfinished wood, glass, ceramics, metals, and stone.
Sustainable wood
Not all wood is sustainable. Trees have a slow life cycle and do not replace themselves quickly.
Wood certifiably sourced from managed forests comes from carefully selected trees harvested in limited amounts. Trees are regularly replanted to make up for those cut-down. This maintains the ecological balance for the other animals and plants in the forest and gives the forest time to regenerate.
Sustainable wood species often include maple, oak, white ash, and pine.
Wood veneer is also a somewhat sustainable option. Furniture made with wood veneer is not as long-lasting as solid wood furniture, but the veneer does give the look and feel of wood while using much less of the resource.
Organic fabrics
Organic fabrics are biodegradable and free of any harmful chemicals. They are grown using green farming methods, so they have a minimal impact on the environment from the start of their lifecycle through the end.
Fabrics grown or produced organically include wool, cotton, silk, and hemp.
Stone
Of the materials considered suitable for sustainable hospitality furniture, stone is the least renewable. Stone will never grow back. Once you remove it from its quarry, it’s gone forever.
However, it is a naturally occurring material with no chemicals. If it is discarded, it won’t biodegrade, but it can be reused.
Stones commonly used in hospitality furniture manufacturing include granite, marble, limestone, and quartzite.
Materials to Avoid in Sustainable Hospitality Furniture
While renewable materials have a minimal impact on the environment, reduce waste, and either biodegrade or can be reused, some materials will inevitably occupy a landfill. Here are three materials you should avoid in sustainable hospitality furniture.
Particleboard
Particleboard is not durable. If furniture made from particleboard gets wet, it may swell, warp, and lose structural integrity. Since particleboard furniture is typically not worth the effort and expense to repair, it is not long-lasting and effectively wasteful.
Mixed Materials
A single, pure material responds consistently to heat, cold, and humidity. When different materials are mixed, the molecules may react differently under more extreme conditions. This results in warping, cracks, or bubbling that can ruin the aesthetic appearance of the piece.
In many cases, damage like this is difficult to repair, making furnishings made with some mixed materials wasteful.
Cast Concrete Furniture
Once cast concrete furniture is chipped or cracked, it will never quite look the same. It is rarely reparable and not reusable, so it ends up in landfills as waste.
Sustainable Furniture Should Be Durable and Long-Lasting
The essence of sustainable hospitality furniture is thinking beyond its immediate use into the complete life cycle of the piece. Opt for designs that embody durability, longevity, and versatility, and avoid materials that cannot be reused or repaired because they will end up in landfills.
Longevity is closely tied to durability. Sustainable furniture should remain relevant and functional over extended periods. Choosing timeless designs and reusable materials promotes sustainability and reduces the cycle of constant consumption and disposal.
We Can Discuss Sustainable Options
The guiding principles of sustainable hospitality furniture are durability, longevity, versatility, and renewability. Following these principles creates furnishings that promote responsible consumption and minimize environmental impact.
As a hospitality furniture manufacturer, we are happy to discuss the best sustainable material options for any design. Connect with our dedicated reps today.