The Best Sustainable Furniture
Which furniture retailers are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Furniture Ratings Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
The importance of buying sustainable furniture
Wood is still the most common material for making beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, cupboards, bookshelves and more. This handy guide informs you about the key ethical issues within the furniture sector. Read this guide and then head over to our Ethical Furniture Ratings Table to find a range of sustainable furniture companies.
Illegal logging and the furniture industry
Illegal logging refers to timber that has been harvested and sold in violation of local or regional laws. The unethical practice of illegal logging deprives local communities and businesses of much-needed income. The World Bank estimates that the global market loses $10 billion every year from illegal logging.
Illegal logging also has a harmful environmental impact. According to WWF, illegal logging often results in the deforestation of protected natural habitats, leading to loss of biodiversity and important wildlife species. Moreover, illegal logging deprives our planet of climate-critical forests, which we rely on for absorbing carbon emissions.
On the bright side, many sustainable furniture companies ensure their timber is sourced responsibly with a minimal impact on the environment. Some sustainable furniture brands use timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which demands that logging companies meet high environmental standards.
In our Ethical Furniture Ratings Table, you can find all the information on the most sustainable furniture brands by looking at companies that score the best within our research. Our research incorporates a range of issues relating to the Environment, Animals, and People, including whether brands are sourcing their timber responsibly.
Our research: Sustainable furniture brands and timber sourcing policies
Our independent research into the furniture sector reveals that timber sourcing remains a critical issue in the industry. The Timber Sourcing Policy category in our research examines whether furniture brands are committed to using responsibly-sourced wood. Brands’ performance on this aspect of our research was mixed.
Due to the enormous demand for timber and paper products, unsustainable forest management (in which too many trees are cut down too quickly or entire forests are destroyed) is on the rise. This threatens wildlife and populations that depend on forest resources and adds to global deforestation and climate change.
To receive a top rating for Timber Sourcing Policy, a company must either have a significant proportion of wood products made from FSC-certified, recycled or repurposed sources. Alternatively, they must have clear and substantial targets for increasing the number of products made with sustainably-sourced wood. We also award a top rating to brands that received 3 trees in the 2019 WWF Timber Scorecard.
Around a quarter of brands in our Ethical Furniture Ratings Table received a bottom rating for their Timber Sourcing Policy. This includes popular furniture companies such as Heal’s, Dreams, and House of Fraser. We recommend avoiding these brands if you want to ensure you are buying sustainable furniture.
Our research also found that some furniture brands have sourced their timber from companies involved in illegal logging. In 2021, an Earthsight investigation revealed that IKEA had been sourcing wood for its children’s furniture range from a group of companies accused of illegally logging roughly 4 million trees in the climate-critical forests of Siberia. As a result, IKEA has been marked down in our research.
Best sustainable furniture brands
Quite a few of the furniture brands that we researched received a top ethical rating for their Timber Sourcing Policies, which suggests that companies are moving towards more sustainable furniture production. One example of this is Myakka, a sustainable furniture brand that comes top of our Ethical Furniture Ratings Table.
Our top tips: Buying recycled furniture and up-cycled furniture
New furniture can be expensive and unaffordable for many people. Buying recycled furniture from an online marketplace, charity shop or second-hand store is usually a lot cheaper than buying it brand new. Sometimes you can even find people giving away their furniture for free! So, as well as purchasing from sustainable furniture brands, you can also look for recycled furniture or upcycled furniture.
Buying recycled furniture is a great option for being more environmentally sustainable. Recycled furniture saves people from throwing away their used items, reducing the amount of waste produced by the furniture industry.
According to the British Heart Foundation, around a third of adults in the UK throw away furniture that could be reused or recycled. If you have an unwanted item of furniture in your home that you cannot sell, have you considered offering it for free or donating it to a charity shop? Rather than dumping it in landfill, you can reduce waste and provide a new item of furniture to people who cannot afford to buy it.
Another option is to buy upcycled furniture. Upcycled furniture is different to recycled furniture, as the items are refurbished to look good as new. Although upcycled furniture may be more expensive than recycled furniture, you will be buying a more high-quality item. You can even make upcycled furniture at home! If you have an item that doesn’t suit your home anymore, why not re-paint it instead of ditching it?
See our Ethical Furniture Ratings Table to compare brands
The Good Shopping Guide has conducted extensive research into every brand that appears on our Ethical Ratings Tables. Our independent research team has compiled this research into articles on brands, their ethics and sustainability certifications and practices; click on any brand name to find out more about this exclusive research.
Myakka, Bensons For Beds, DFS, Sustainable Furniture, Furniture Village, The White Company, Dreams, Dunelm, West Elm, B&Q, Homebase, Argos, Habitat, Marks & Spencer, IKEA, John Lewis, Heal’s, House of Fraser and Anthropologie.
Why is it important to buy sustainable furniture?
The furniture industry relies heavily on timber, making responsible sourcing a key environmental concern. Many furniture brands have poor records in areas such as timber procurement, environmental reporting, and human rights. By choosing sustainable furniture brands, consumers can help reduce deforestation, protect biodiversity, and support businesses committed to responsible practices. The Good Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table makes it straightforward to identify which brands meet high ethical standards.
What is illegal logging and why does it matter?
Illegal logging refers to timber harvested in violation of local or regional laws, depriving communities of income and contributing to environmental destruction. The World Bank estimates that the global market loses $10 billion annually as a result. According to WWF, illegal logging frequently destroys protected natural habitats, reducing biodiversity and depleting the climate-critical forests that help absorb carbon emissions, with serious consequences for ecosystems and local populations worldwide.
How can I tell if a furniture brand sources its timber responsibly?
Consumers can look for brands that use timber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which requires logging companies to meet rigorous environmental standards. The Good Shopping Guide assesses furniture brands on their Timber Sourcing Policy, awarding top ratings to those using FSC-certified, recycled, or repurposed materials, or those with clear targets to increase sustainable sourcing. Brands with poor ratings in this category may be sourcing from environmentally damaging operations.
Which furniture brands have the worst ethical records?
The Good Shopping Guide’s research identifies House of Fraser, Anthropologie, and Heal’s among the lowest-scoring furniture brands. These companies fall short in areas such as environmental reporting, timber sourcing, and human rights. IKEA also received a poor rating following an Earthsight investigation in 2021, which revealed the brand had sourced wood for its children’s furniture from companies accused of illegally logging trees in Siberia’s climate-critical forests.
Which are the most ethical furniture brands?
According to The Good Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, Myakka, Sustainable Furniture, Bensons For Beds, and DFS are among the highest-scoring brands. Myakka tops the table with strong performance across all assessed criteria. Both Myakka and Sustainable Furniture hold Ethical Innovator Status, reflecting their progressive approach to sustainability. Consumers can explore the full ratings table to compare brands and make more informed purchasing decisions.
What are the benefits of buying recycled or upcycled furniture?
Buying recycled or upcycled furniture is both economically and environmentally beneficial. Recycled furniture reduces waste and prevents usable items from reaching landfill — the British Heart Foundation notes that around a third of UK adults discard furniture that could be reused. Upcycled furniture, while potentially more expensive, is refurbished to a high standard. Both options support a more circular economy and complement purchasing from ethical, sustainable furniture brands.
Is Myakka an ethical Furniture brand?
Myakka sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, earning top ratings across all assessed categories, including its Environmental Report, Timber Sourcing Policy, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide a meaningful and recognised way to formally demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Myakka also holds Ethical Innovator Status, reflecting its forward-thinking approach.
Is Sustainable Furniture an ethical Furniture brand?
Sustainable Furniture sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing strongly across assessed areas including its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though its Timber Sourcing Policy receives an acceptable rather than top rating. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could offer a recognised means of formally validating the brand’s commitment to responsible practices. Sustainable Furniture also holds Ethical Innovator Status.
Is Bensons For Beds an ethical Furniture brand?
Bensons For Beds sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across most assessed categories including its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though its Timber Sourcing Policy receives an acceptable rather than top rating. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide a valuable and recognised way to formally demonstrate Bensons For Beds’ commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
Is DFS an ethical Furniture brand?
DFS sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across assessed areas including its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though its Timber Sourcing Policy receives an acceptable rather than top rating. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, pursuing it could offer a meaningful and recognised way to formally validate DFS’s commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Furniture Village an ethical Furniture brand?
Furniture Village sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials, though both its Environmental Report and Timber Sourcing Policy receive acceptable rather than top ratings. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide a recognised way to formally demonstrate Furniture Village’s commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.
Is Dreams an ethical Furniture brand?
Dreams sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though it falls short in its Timber Sourcing Policy and its Political Donations rating is acceptable rather than top. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could offer Dreams a recognised means of formally demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Dunelm an ethical Furniture brand?
Dunelm sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Environmental Report and Animal Welfare credentials, though its Timber Sourcing Policy and Human Rights ratings are acceptable rather than top. As a brand without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could provide Dunelm with a meaningful and recognised way to formally demonstrate its commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.
Is West Elm an ethical Furniture brand?
West Elm sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in areas such as its Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, and Human Rights credentials, though its Timber Sourcing Policy receives an acceptable rating and it falls short in its Political Donations category. Without Ethical Accreditation, applying for it could offer West Elm a recognised means of formally validating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is B&Q an ethical Furniture brand?
B&Q falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand shows acceptable performance in its Environmental Report and Timber Sourcing Policy, though it falls short in its Animal Welfare rating. Consumers seeking furniture brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is The White Company an ethical Furniture brand?
The White Company falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in several areas, including its Environmental Report and Timber Sourcing Policy, and has attracted Other Criticisms. Consumers seeking furniture brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is John Lewis an ethical Furniture brand?
John Lewis falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. While its Timber Sourcing Policy receives an acceptable rating, the brand falls short in its Human Rights credentials and has attracted Other Criticisms. Those seeking furniture brands that do meet the ethical benchmark are encouraged to explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.
Is Homebase an ethical Furniture brand?
Homebase falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several key categories, including its Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, Armaments, and Political Donations ratings, and has attracted Other Criticisms. Consumers seeking furniture brands that do reach the ethical benchmark are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Marks & Spencer an ethical Furniture brand?
Marks & Spencer falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Timber Sourcing Policy and Human Rights credentials, and has attracted Other Criticisms. Shoppers seeking furniture brands that do meet the ethical benchmark can explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more sustainable and responsible options.
Is Argos an ethical Furniture brand?
Argos falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials and has attracted Other Criticisms, though its Environmental Report receives an acceptable rating. Consumers seeking furniture brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Habitat an ethical Furniture brand?
Habitat falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials and has attracted Other Criticisms, though its Environmental Report receives an acceptable rating. Those seeking furniture brands that do meet the ethical benchmark are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.
Is IKEA an ethical Furniture brand?
IKEA falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short in its Political Donations rating and has attracted significant Other Criticisms, while its Animal Welfare and Human Rights credentials receive acceptable rather than top ratings. Consumers seeking furniture brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Heal’s an ethical Furniture brand?
Heal’s falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several areas, including its Environmental Report, Timber Sourcing Policy, and Human Rights credentials, and has attracted Other Criticisms. Those seeking furniture brands that do meet the ethical benchmark are encouraged to explore The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is House of Fraser an ethical Furniture brand?
House of Fraser falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several key areas, including its Environmental Report, Timber Sourcing Policy, and Human Rights credentials, and has attracted significant Other Criticisms. Consumers seeking furniture brands that do reach the ethical benchmark can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for more responsible alternatives.
Is Anthropologie an ethical Furniture brand?
Anthropologie falls below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across multiple areas, including its Environmental Report, Timber Sourcing Policy, Animal Welfare, Political Donations, and Human Rights credentials, and has attracted Other Criticisms. Those seeking furniture brands that do meet the ethical benchmark are encouraged to consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Furniture Ethical Ratings Table for better-rated alternatives.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.