Circular Living: How to Make Sustainable Furniture Choices for Your Dining Room

It’s no secret that shifting to a green and sustainable lifestyle is more urgent than ever, especially with the impacts of climate change increasing exponentially every year. According to a PwC survey, 58% of people aged 27 to 32 are becoming more eco-friendly, so it’s clear that the trend towards green living is growing in popularity.

Today, circular living is steadily emerging as a sustainable trend, thanks to circular economy and design expert Ditte Lysgaard Vind. In our previous interview with Ditte, she explained that the circular way of living involves innovative design approaches that ensure sustainable practices. This means producing items with the intention to minimize waste, maximize the use of resources, and promote the recycling of materials.

This circular practice encourages reusing items instead of throwing them away, reducing unnecessary consumption. This principle is especially useful if you want to make eco-friendly design decisions, such as designing your dining area. 

If you want to make sustainable furniture choices for your dining room, search no further. Here’s what you can do:

Prioritize multi-functionality 

Incorporating multifunctional pieces that eliminate the need to buy other items is a cornerstone of a sustainable dining room. That said, you can try dining room sets with a bench, as these are great space-saving options that can fit in smaller areas and have multiple uses, like accommodating more people and storing extra items, which means you’re less likely to throw them away when you move. You can check out Living Spaces for options like the Elle Brown or Kendall Black Dining Table, which are made of highly sustainable acacia wood. Investing in multifunctional furniture can help you promote environmental waste reduction while maximizing your space.

Use sustainable materials 

Any environmentally friendly consumer knows that opting for sustainable materials is essential in developing an eco-conscious space. After all, using responsibly sourced materials like bamboo or wood reduces the ecological footprint and prevents natural resources from depleting. Bamboo, for instance, is a highly renewable crop that does not require harmful chemicals like pesticides or fertilizers to grow.

You can opt for dining room cabinets made of bamboo or hardwood materials like acacia to help promote environmental responsibility. Ensuring that your furniture is made with sustainable resources is a step in the right direction towards reducing your impact on the environment while emphasizing a natural, relaxed atmosphere in your dining area.

Opt for classic, thrifted pieces

Incorporating secondhand furniture into your dining room can also help minimize waste by giving previously used items a second life, which can help you adhere to the principle of circular living. You can opt for thrifted décor like an antique vase or a candle holder that can balance your dining area’s modern aesthetics. However, if you’re looking for thrift glassware or cookware, be extra careful of lead, which can be found in vintage glassware and can affect certain cognitive functions like memory. For safety, make sure to only thrift glass pieces that will be displayed.

Invest in long-lasting pieces

Dining room items made of materials that ensure longevity can help you avoid tossing out broken pieces that contribute to environmental waste. This is why sustainable materials like acacia and oak are viable options since they can last for generations. Aside from hardwood furniture, cookware made of stainless steel can withstand the test of time, helping you eliminate the need for frequent replacements.

You can check out brands like Jindal Stainless if you’re looking for long-lasting cookware or cutlery or The Citizenry if you want wall décor made of durable brass. Opting for longevity is a small step that can have a huge impact on fostering a sustainable dining room.

Making eco-conscious decisions is essential in creating a sustainable dining room. From prioritizing functionality to choosing long-lasting and sustainable materials, minimizing waste and promoting sustainable practices can put you on the path to a circular life.