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The Spruce / Lecia Landis
When it comes to our homes, going green offers a wide range of benefits—even in the case of smaller décor items, like dishware and baskets.
“Sustainability is particularly important for décor because we interact intimately with our homes daily,” says Sarah Barnard of Sarah Barnard Design. “Sustainable home décor is not only beneficial for larger environmental considerations but to personal health, as natural items are often better for indoor air quality and comfort.”
Whether you’re looking to add high drama or a classic touch to your living space, there are plenty of sustainably made and ethically driven home décor brands to choose from.
Read on for the best sustainable home décor retailers.
The Citizenry
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The Citizenry
Diverse global inventory
High-quality sustainable materials
Over 3,000 global artisan partners
Expensive
Rooted in global craftsmanship, The Citizenry works with master artisans from across the globe. The result? An eclectic array of handmade objects crafted using sustainably sourced materials, such as soft, aromatic hinoki wood from Japan, organic, long-staple cotton from Turkey, and luxe, cruelty-free alpaca fleece from Peru.
Giving a contemporary spin to traditional styles, the creations are made in small batches with a low carbon footprint and minimal wastage by the retailer. The Citizenry is a Fair Trade brand, meaning it sets high standards for production, ensuring safe working conditions and fair pay. Over 3,000 artisans work with the brand, with over half being female entrepreneurs. You can delve into each product’s unique legacy, a part of which you bring into your home.
Return Policy: Eligible items should be in original packaging, and bedding and towels must be unwashed and unused︱Return Window: Within 30 days of delivery for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Free shipping to 48 contiguous U.S. states; chargeable white glove delivery for oversized furniture or chunky rugs︱Perks: N/A
Uncommon Goods
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Uncommon Goods
Attractive return policy
Unusual product range
Products free from leather, feathers, and fur
Paid perk program
Whether you’re looking for a sculptural heart made from blown recycled glass or recycled metal ostrich planters, Uncommon Goods is the place to go for unique home accessories. A founding member of the B Corp movement, a nonprofit that measures a company’s positive social and environmental performance, Uncommon Goods is focused on changing the economic system one lovely piece at a time. The in-house artists and global designers they collaborate with construct beautiful, creative pieces that are utilitarian and exceptional. The craftspeople are encouraged to work with recycled and reclaimed material, and their inventory is free from leather, feathers, and fur.
We also love this independently owned company’s Better To Give program, which donates a portion of each order to nonprofit organizations around the globe. Since the program started in 2001, this has amounted to more than $2.8 million.
Return Policy: Not listed︱Return Window: No time limit for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Shipping price depends on value of item and shipping method chosen (unless perk member)︱Perks: Uncommon Perk is a paid subscription offering 12-month membership with free shipping, first access, cash credit, etc.
Made Trade
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Madetrade
Highly curated global selection
Climate-neutral shipping
Payment in four easy installments (subject to conditions)
Short return window
The family-run, women-owned business Made Trade makes shopping for ethical, artisan-crafted, and sustainable home décor simple. They offer a carefully curated selection of brands and products that satisfy at least two core values, including being a Fair Trade business, being a BIPOC-owned company, or being made from sustainable and/or vegan materials.
You can pick up beautiful rocking chairs and side tables from Nicaraguan-based seed-to-seat brand Masaya & Co. They have stunning sisal and sweet grass planters from one of the largest artisans’ employers in Africa, Kazi, and unusual table linen made from post-consumer recycled rubber from Brooklyn-based Slash Objects. What’s more, the company is Climate Neutral certified, which means they offset 100 percent carbon emissions for the entire company. So, you can stock your home with beautiful, hand-crafted home décor, eco-friendly furniture, and plastic-free frills—guilt-free.
Return Policy: Eligible items must be unworn, unwashed, unused, and in original condition with tags (first request is free)︱Return Window: Within 22 days of order fulfillment for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Free standard shipping over $100 for eligible items ($7 flat shipping fee below $100 for eligible items )︱Perks: Not listed
The Joinery
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The Joinery
Hardwood, handcrafted furniture
Traditional woodworking techniques
Lifetime warranty for residential furniture
Short return window
Each piece takes 20-25 weeks to build
Starting as a one-man operation, The Joinery has flourished into a woodshop that creates slick contemporary and timeless classic furniture using traditional woodworking techniques. Each furniture piece is meticulously crafted by a single woodworker from solid hardwood such as cherry, maple, western walnut, and more and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Based in Portland, Oregon, the woodshop is a certified B Corp committed to sustainable practices. It adheres to rigorous benchmarks of environmental and social accountability, from reusing and recycling scrap lumber to compacting sawdust into briquettes that are donated to the community. Each piece takes around 20-25 weeks to build, but rest assured you receive a piece of craftsmanship that will stand the test of time.
Return Policy: Return of standard products listed on website︱Return Window: Within 14-days of delivery for eligible items︱Delivery Options: White glove delivery and assembly within Oregon; can opt for curbside delivery and customer pickup︱Perks: Not listed
Minna
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Courtesy of Minna
Co-created, small batch collections
Natural, sustainable materials
Collections are mostly low waste or zero-waste
Fairly expensive
Short return window
Design house Minna collaborates with master artisans in Central and South America to create home goods in small batches, ensuring the preservation of ancient craft traditions. The label, named after founder Sara Berk’s feisty grandmother, reimagines designs while respecting the cultural heritage of the communities in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Uruguay, and Bolivia they work with.
The collections are mostly low waste or zero waste, made with natural and sustainable materials (think organic and recycled cotton, jute, palm, and wool). The artisans work using traditional techniques and equipment such as the backstrap loom, pedal loom, and vertical loom, amongst others.
In 2021, Minna became a certified B Corp for its positive impact on the environment and the community. Keeping sustainability in mind, Minna places small, frequent orders with artisans, pays an upfront deposit, and lets them set their own wages and schedules. What’s more, the retailer distributes 3 percent of its yearly profit to community-led organizations.
Return Policy: Eligible products need to be in their original, unused condition︱Return Window: Within 14 days of delivery according to tracking receipt for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Standard and expedited options (free shipping over $500), store pickup at Hudson storefront︱Perks: 15% off on first order if you sign up for the newsletter
The Little Market
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Courtesy of The Little Market
High quality, small batch products
Shop by cause option
Fair Trade, nonprofit enterprise
Limited inventory
Restock times vary
The Little Market is a nonprofit and Fair Trade enterprise with big ambitions to empower artisans across the world. Founded by Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, it offers dignified and safe work for women and marginalized communities, including refugees and resettled individuals, people with disabilities, and young mothers. A proponent of conscious consumerism, The Little Market also allows you to shop by cause, supporting what’s dear to your heart.
In terms of their offerings, here you’ll find unique home décor, such as lusciously scented, hand-poured candles and kantha quilts upcycled from cotton saris and handstitched by artisans in Bangladesh. To understand more about how The Little Market upholds the dignity of artisans while bringing to light social justice and human rights challenges they face, you can peruse their 2021 impact report.
Return Policy: Return undamaged, unwashed, and unused eligible products with original or gift receipt︱Return Window: Within 30 days from receipt of order for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Standard and express shipping options, in-store and curbside pickup︱Perks: 10% off on first order if you sign for updates by email
Under the Canopy
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Courtesy of Under the Canopy
Good value for money
Generous return window
Limited options in prints and patterns
Cuddle up in beautiful, sustainable bedding from Under the Canopy, which offers great value for the money. Thanks to its vertically integrated supply chain, it manages to keep costs low without compromising on the quality of its products, which include bed, bath, and even loungewear. With Under The Canopy, you’re not only buying into beautiful design but also getting products that are good for your health and the environment, supported by relevant certifications such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and FSC.
The range is available in beautiful earthy shades, thanks to low-impact, nontoxic dyes. Choose among a bevy of textures, such as sateen, percale, flannel, and jersey. You can dive under a buttery soft sateen duvet or sleep cool in crisp percale sheets. Each is tailored beautifully and embellished with tiny details, all for a great price.
Return Policy: Eligible products must be in their original condition, unworn, unwashed, and with original tags︱Return Window: Within 60 days for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Free U.S. standard shipping for orders over $50 (flat $8 for orders below $50)︱Perks: First-time subscribers to the newsletter get $20 off
Goodee
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Goodee
High quality everyday essentials
Wide selection of products
Eco-friendly packaging
Pricey
Founded by two twin brothers on a mission to bring together good design and good purpose, Goodee offers sustainable solutions for contemporary homes. As a B Corp and Climate Neutral-certified company, it ticks the right boxes when it comes to its environmental, social, and labor concerns.
Goodee works with brands that resonate with its ideals while also offering an option from its own sustainably crafted décor range. Featuring an impressive range of goodies, such as kapok bed mattresses from West Africa and a robust palm hamper from Mexico, you can decorate your home with doodads that spark meaningful conversations while spurring positive action.
Return Policy: Eligible items must be unopened, sealed, unused, unworn, unwashed, with tags, in original packaging, and in the same condition︱Return Window: Within 30 days of receiving eligible items︱Delivery Options: Chargeable standard and overnight delivery︱Perks: 15% off on first order when you subscribe to the newsletter
Boll & Branch
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Wide variety of organic bedding
Complimentary white glove delivery with mattress purchase
100-day mattress trial
Pricey
Considering we spend one-third of our lives sleeping, it’s worth investing in high-quality, sustainable bedding. Boll & Branch’s Fair Trade bedding is one such option. Focusing on building a better supply chain for people and the planet, their products are free from chemicals, pesticides, and GMOs. They’re made in factories that prioritize workers’ empowerment, offset carbon emissions, and treat and recycle water.
As the first organic-certified Fair Trade bedding company, Boll & Branch offers a wide array of sheets, bedding, mattresses, and more. The cotton is GOTS-certified, ensuring the organic status of the textile, and the products are also OEKO-TEX certified.
Boll & Branch works with family-owned farms and organizations, ensuring transparency in their operations and paying fair wages to the artisanal and farming community. In 2020, they purchased a staggering 5.3 million tons of Fair Trade seed cotton to produce luxurious bedding that’s safe and soft to snuggle up in.
Return Policy: Eligible items in original, saleable condition with original tags and packaging︱Return Window: Within 30-days of delivery for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Free domestic U.S. ground shipping, white glove delivery for the mattress︱Perks: 15% off on first order when you subscribe to the newsletter
Parachute
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Parachute
One-stop shop for sustainable home goods
Generous return window
100-night mattress trial
Not all bedding is certified organic
While you might already be familiar with Parachute for its cozy bed and bath linens, you might not know that the company is dedicated to sustainability, too. For one, they’re certified Climate Neutral, meaning they offset their carbon footprint with verified credits. All of their textiles are OEKO-TEX certified, with down sourced from a Responsible Down Standard certified supplier.
Parachute Home has a clean, modern aesthetic, selling everything from bedding and bath goods to furniture and décor. Through working with master artisans, including expert Portuguese craftspeople and a fourth-generation American mattress maker, they’re committed to supporting small and underrepresented communities. Parachute has also recently launched its first GOTS-certified organic cotton collection, a selection of duvets, shams, pillowcases, and more favorites to curl up in.
Return Policy: Not listed︱Return Window: Free returns within 60 days of delivery receipt on eligible items︱Delivery Options: Standard, faster, and oversized ground shipping available (the latter two have a fee). Curbside pickup. Paid white glove delivery is available for mattress and bed frame︱Perks: Sale around Memorial Day and Black Friday / Cyber Monday
Etsy
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Etsy
Unique décor market
Zero-waste operations
Vast selection of vintage items
Delivery and returns varies based on shop
Whether you’re looking for vintage rugs and furniture or sculptures and other knickknacks, Etsy is a treasure trove for unique home decor. Here, you can find nearly 14 million vintage and preloved items—and if you’re wanting something new, the site offers contemporary creations, too. The site is powered by renewable electricity, and it supports micro businesses and creative entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on underrepresented communities.
Etsy has set several economic, social, and ecological goals as a part of its impact strategy, such as reducing energy usage by 25 percent by 2025. The company is also taking long strides towards net-zero carbon emissions, offsetting all emissions from shipping and packaging. For more details, you can read their 2021 Annual Report.
Return Policy: Varies based on seller︱Return Window: Varies based on seller︱Delivery Options: Varies based on seller︱Perks: Not listed
54kibo
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54kibo
Wide selection of African contemporary design
Free U.S. ground shipping for eligible items
Search by country or by African diaspora
Custom made products can take up to 12 weeks
Short return notification window
Nana Quagraine’s 54kibo is a tribute to the 54 countries in Africa and the snow-capped volcanic cone Kibo, perched atop Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Brooklyn-based brand collaborates with a cohort of over 30 designers, taking a considered approach to traditional African craftsmanship and making it accessible to the wider world.
Each piece is a conversation starter, with detailed descriptions shared about their antecedents. For instance, you can find a side table inspired by the Djembe drum or a flatweave wool rug handcrafted in Egypt. The brand balances commerce with concern, delivering a positive social, environmental, and economic impact. It supports traditional crafts and offers artisans a fair wage and a safe work environment.
Return Policy: Eligible items need to be in new, saleable condition with original tags and packaging intact︱Return Window: Notify for approval within 10 days for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Parcel delivery (standard, priority, and express) and flat-rate fee delivery for furniture and other items︱Perks: 10% off first order
Cisco Home
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Courtesy of Cisco Home
Ethically made furniture
High-quality natural materials
Responsible green alternative
Limited online stock
Inspired by founder Francisco Pinedo’s experiences growing up in a tiny Mexican village, Cisco Home has become a popular destination for ethically made, handcrafted furniture. The retailer forms close relationships with artisans and designers to deliver a beautiful selection of couches, floor lamps, chaises, and more. Each piece is lovingly made by skilled craftspeople and not machines, with every screw, swatch, and stitch meticulously placed by hand.
As one of the founding partners of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), Cisco Home keeps sustainability in mind in every step of the process—from sourcing FSC-certified wood to working with water-based stains and natural fabrics. The retailer has also introduced Inside Green, a responsible alternative to building furniture from long-lasting, natural, chemical-free, and naturally fire-retardant materials.
Return Policy: Repair or replacement for nonconforming or defective products︱Return Window: With 15 days of delivery︱Delivery Options: Cost and time determined by company︱Perks: Not listed
Coyuchi
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Coyuchi
High-quality, low-impact bed linen
2nd Home take-back program
Strong give back program
Less options for prints and patterns
Taking the misty coastline of Point Reyes as its inspiration, Coyuchi offers natural and organic sheets, towels, and more. The brand is committed to the highest ethical and environmental standards, with Fair Trade and Made Trade certifications. Their comfy bed linens are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, while their pillows, mattress pads, and mattress toppers use certified organic natural latex and climate-beneficial wool. What’s more, the company gives back to the environment by partnering with the nonprofit 1 Percent For The Planet.
Another initiative that we love is Coyuchi’s 2nd Home take-back program, which closes the loop on textile creation. You can return frayed linen to be renewed, upcycled, or recycled—giving the material a new lease on life and earning you 15 percent off your next purchase.
Return Policy: Not listed︱Return Window: Within 30 days (can return washed and worn eligible products within 365 days for store credit)︱Delivery Options: Flat rates for standard and express delivery︱Perks: First-time subscribers to the newsletter get $30 off next purchase of $200+
Public Goods
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Public Goods
Affordable, sustainable essentials
Simple, minimal packing
Plants a tree for every order
Limited décor options
Doesn’t accept returns unless damaged or defective good
Offering a subscription-based annual model, Public Goods boasts a convenient cross-section of products for the conscious shopper. If you’re not ready to dive right in, the site offers a two-week free trial before the subscription model starts.
The brand ethically sources essential products from high-quality vendors, offering affordable goods with consistent quality. You can pick from a selection of household goods, such as serving boards from sustainably grown acacia wood and natural hand-poured soy candles. Plus, for every new order placed, the retailer plants one tree in partnership with the Eden Reforestation Project—over 330,000 trees to date.
Return Policy: Only damaged and defective goods︱Return Window: Within 30 days for eligible items︱Delivery Options: Free standard shipping within the contiguous U.S. for orders over $45︱Perks: Not listed
West Elm
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West Elm
High-quality home décor
Large variety in inventory
Free design services
Expensive
Not all inventory is sustainable
Décor behemoth West Elm was the first home retailer to join Fair Trade USA in 2014, ensuring fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and community development. But that’s just one of the causes West Elm is committed to. They offer an assortment of goods that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact.
The retailer’s cotton bedding and towels are certified organic, and more than half of their wooden furniture is sustainably sourced. What’s more, around 60 percent of their products support at least one of their sustainability initiatives. West Elm is armed with a host of certifications, such as GOTS or Organic Content Standard, FSC, GREENGUARD, OEKO-TEX, and others, showing their continuing commitment to ethical designs, sustainable sourcing, and responsible production. You can also choose products per the values that are important to you, so you don’t need to sift through the entire inventory.
Return Policy: Pack eligible items in original box and packaging and have valid proof of purchase︱Return Window: Return eligible items within 30 days of purchase or delivery︱Delivery Options: Different rates and time of delivery depending on shipping chosen, white glove, in-shop pickup and UPS access point pickup︱Perks: Several perks listed on website
What to Look for When Buying Sustainable Home Decor
Materials
The first thing to look for is what a product is made of—if sustainability is top of mind, you’ll want to prioritize natural, reclaimed, recycled, organic or regenerative materials. When considering a brand’s commitment to sustainability, look for relevant third-party certifications to help support its claims. For instance, if you’re buying wood or paper products, you can look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Low-emitting wall coverings should have a GREENGUARD certification. Also, consider any circular and zero-waste initiatives to reduce the use of raw materials and waste. Finally, check if minimal, eco-friendly packaging material is used.
Production Methods
The second step is determining where and by whom a piece is made. “A product isn’t sustainable if the environment, workers, and indigenous populations were negatively impacted by its creation,” says Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder of Wellness Within Your Walls. Look for certifications such as Fair Trade and Climate Neutral to ensure good business practices.
Installation
As tempted as you are to quickly unpack and set up your items, Pritchard Cooke recommends taking it slow—especially for high-density foam in mattresses and upholstered furniture, which might off-gas into your home. “Sustainable décor is less likely to contain harmful chemicals, such as VOCs, that will off-gas in your home, producing contaminated indoor air,” Pritchard Cooke says. “If off-gassing toxins are present, [make] sure the interior environment is properly ventilated.”
Greenwashing
This marketing gimmick misleads customers by making unsubstantiated and insincere green claims without appropriate certifications or documentation to support their sustainability efforts. Pritchard Cooke advises looking beyond buzzwords. “A company can call themselves and their products ‘green,’ but without the third-party certifications to back that up, it’s just an unregulated word,” she says.
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What is sustainable design?
“Sustainable design encompasses a range of considerations, from energy and resources to personal and environmental wellness, where items are selected with care towards their life cycle for improved wellbeing,” says Sarah Barnard of Sarah Barnard Design. Approaching design with broader global considerations, like collaborating with community artisans, can also lead to more sustainable design practices. The world is shifting from the traditional, linear model of take-make-dispose, making way for a more sustainable, regenerative, restorative, and circular way of designing, producing, and consuming.
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How can you decorate your home sustainably on a budget?
Go vintage! “Buying vintage is a great way to shop sustainably while on a budget,” says Barnard. “Many unique items are available in excellent condition, and vintage furniture can be easily updated with new finishes or hardware to meet specific design needs.”
Another tip is to shop directly through artists, whether on their personal website or during an open studio event. “Some artists may already offer or be willing to create prints of their work, which can be a valuable option for beautifying walls on a budget,” Barnard adds.
Pritchard Cooke says to keep an eye out for spring and fall events hosted across the U.S. “Those are great times to see new products and get great deals. If your designer shares that [they are] heading to a furniture show, [they] may be offered ‘show specials.’” However, she cautions to be on the lookout for greenwashing and probe into the product’s country of origin, its carbon footprint, and what it is made of before you seal the deal.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Neeti Mehra writes about sustainability for The Spruce. A researcher and consultant, she has edited three magazines during her career, covering a broad range of topics. She is committed to sustainable, slow, and mindful living. Her home is full of vintage heirlooms passed down from her grandparents, plus other knickknacks she picks up from mindful retailers and flea markets.
For this article, Mehra researched the brands available and dived deep into The Spruce’s extensive brand library. To get a complete perspective, she also spoke with experts Sarah Barnard of Sarah Barnard Design and Jillian Pritchard Cooke, founder of Wellness Within Your Walls, to get the lowdown on sustainable décor.