0
Online MARKETPLACE for sustainable lifestyles


Living Room at Greenpicks

Green lifestyle in the living room

A touch of nature is not only offered by flowers and plants in the living room. Green lifestyle is what gives the sustainable living room a personal touch with sustainable furniture, carpets, home accessories and lightning. Individuality and style are what suits you and what the size of the living space allows, to spend time with family and friends as well as to find rest and relaxation. To make the living room inviting and cosy in all four seasons, you should answer the following questions before purchasing organic furniture and decoration:

  • What style does my furniture have and what matches?
  • Which existing furniture would I like to supplement with or replace?
  • What is broken and could be repaired in a Repair Café?
  • What is irreparably broken and should be replaced?
  • Which colours and/or patterns are suitable for my home?
read more »

"EcoControl" in the living room

To create a cosy sense of space in the non-toxic living room, the choice of furnishings such as sofa, coffee table or shelf and their materials is crucial. In the living room wood, glass, metal and (vegan) leather meet one another. Cuddly blankets and sofa cushions made of organic cotton and organic wool provide comfort. Less is more – this is especially true for decoration.

A few candle lights on the table immerse the living room in a warm atmosphere, a fresh bouquet of flowers in a simple vase looks alive. Made of wood, digital, made-to-measure or self-made – a picture frame highlights an art work. Own photos individualize the living room and can be replaced from time to time. This always brings a new look in the living room. Tip: Browse at a flea market for used frames. Illumination sources bring light into the darkness, which give the living room a nice atmosphere.

The magic word is "EcoControl", because the materials do not only determine the look and feel of the surfaces as well as style and appearance, but also the longevity and organic quality of the living room furniture. The test criteria of the German "ÖkoControl" (loosely translated "EcoControl") refer to furniture, upholstery, upholstery fabrics and bedding. Furniture bearing the ÖkoControl seal is made of solid wood from renewable raw materials (with the exception of metal fittings and frames), laminated wood or three-ply boards, multiplex or veneered blockboard. The surfaces are treated with glazes, natural resin oils and waxes on a natural basis. Preferably, the wood comes from sustainable forestry, mostly from Europe. And is additionally FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and Naturland Verband e.V. certified. Tropical wood is taboo.

For upholstery fabrics, the materials are derived from organic production, that is from certified organic farming and from certified species-appropriate husbandry. Synthetic fibres are reduced to a necessary minimum and are completely excluded in bedding.

Climate-friendly home and living is characterized by even more criteria. For eco furniture ethical and social aspects play a role in Germany, Europe or elsewhere in the world. These include fair working conditions, regular controls of the suppliers and the shortest possible transport routes.

Upcycling furniture and accessories for the living room

In the spirit of a sustainable product policy, recycled wood is also used for ecological living room furniture. Innovative designers combine unusual materials. Wood from old barns, overseas crates, boat bridges, old furniture with metal, bicycle inner tube as connector, glass, bicycle chains, etc. become shelves and room dividers, chairs and tables, lamps and lights. Among others upcycled furniture has sustainability criteria such as resource conservation, handmade and local production in the focus. Production sites are small factories and sheltered workshops, which try to integrate people from the second job market back into the general job market.

Hygge, cosiness for happiness in the living room

A small room receives a cosy flair through delicate furnishings. Room dividers and freestanding shelves create “living islands” in a large living room. Even in a one-bedroom apartment or in the Tiny House, individual pieces of furniture help to visually separate the working area from the living area. For the recovery after work, the separation of leisure and work is important. Wooden shelves obscure the view of the desk and unfinished tasks. If there is only room for a small settee, comfortable stools offer additional seats at a party. Those who prefer the minimalist style of living choose a few small pieces of furniture and home accessories that radiate naturalness and warmth in colour and shape. These include untreated wood, deco from woods and meadows and a beanbag made from recycled duffels, parachutes and canvas to lounge in the sparingly furnished living room. Beautiful home textiles such as carpets, cushions and curtains as well as decorative items create a homely atmosphere. Those who value practicality and design choose decorative accessories such as bowls made of bamboo or olive wood, which present fruit, pastries and nibbles in style.

In times of abundance, many things cause annoyance, because they all have to be cared for and stowed away. But even minimalists need some storage space to keep their belongings. It is a matter of personal taste, whether dishes, books, TV and music system are presented amenable in a display case or a shelf or are stowed in a cabinet.

Eco-fair and chilled instead of cheap

Sustainability in the living room means long-lasting furniture, home accessories, energy-efficient lamps and luminaires and products with a "good" ecological footprint. They are high quality and have their price, but they last a long time. Consumers can use the Greenpicks sustainability criteria to find out which sustainable furniture manufacturers pay attention to the environment in addition to comfort and taste and carry out regular pollutant controls. Ecological certifications show the consumer the way. Despite all the seals, consumers should prefer organic furniture from sustainable European forestry, which is best produced in their home country or in neighboring countries. For less poison in the living room!

« less