Eco-Friendly Outdoor Furniture

1. The Firepit Table: 
This excellent addition to the garden setting has taken off in recent years with eco-friendly outdoor furniture designs that include coffee tables, chat tables and full-on dining experiences. The smart-set opts for greener choices of sleek contemporary designs that are a good choice for the environment. Yes, goodbye to the days of messy, carcinogenic wood-burning firepits and their dusty after-mess ash. And hello to clean, green, renewable energy creations that captivate your attention in any neighbourhood.

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2. The Oversized Planter: 
Trending this year are large concrete planters showing off healthy sub-tropical foliage. Just large enough to make an impression but not too large, they can't be re-situated; concrete planters make a great addition to stylish outdoor areas. Concrete is a popular investment choice as it is long-lasting, durable and environmentally friendly. TopEco Green recommends Fluid™ Concrete as one of the best eco-friendly outdoor furniture and décor materials. This special concrete combines a custom green cement composition with 95% recycled natural materials. The unique moulding process incorporates multiple layers of structural meshing combined with a carefully mixed slurry to produce high-quality and dimensionally stable concrete that is relatively lightweight yet incredibly strong. 

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3. The Swing Seat: 
Garden swinging chairs appear to be having their moment of fame in gardens across the UK, with all shapes, sizes and colours adding to the overall design of your outdoor space. The effect is to create an essence of the indoors outdoors with the swing chair bringing in functional, fun and relaxing elements to winding down at the end of a hard day's work. TopEco Green recommends swing seats made from recyclable or recycled materials. Wood and metal swings are the best options, and all structures are enhanced to compliment your setting style with cushions and throws of your choice. Using alternative materials, such as cactus leather and Piñatex®, means changing the way we look at fabrics and voting for the environment with our purchasing choices.

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4. The Outdoor Modular Sofa Set: 
A modular sofa setup showcases a contemporary design with spacious versatility for families that like their own space. Modules unlatch and move for different visual effects and functionalities. Easily remove some sections for day-to-day use or create a sofa bed effect when needed. TopEco Green recommends eco-friendly outdoor furniture incorporating green technology such as Sunbrella™ fabric with cotton's rich look and feel, yet does not fade or degrade over time. Choose modular sofas with removable cushions for easy cleaning. Also, if one unit or cushion gets damaged, it's cost-effectively replaced. 

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5. The Outdoor Bar: 
A bar of any size or description will add life and soul to most gardens. Add a splash of chrome in your barware and a twist of the right company, and you have yourself an evening or weekend to remember. A well-made, weather-treated construction from sustainable wood sources is an excellent choice. Find one resistant to decay, insects and fungi, and you have the perfect combination. TopEco Green recommends teak if you want a wood that will withstand abrasions, impacts, scratches and extreme temperature variations. A bar that closes up and protects the inner structure from the elements during winter is also a good idea.

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6. The Complementary Bar Stools: 
No well-stocked bar sits alone without an array of sturdy, stylish bar stools to accommodate all those friendly bums-on-seats. Choose handcrafted eco-friendly, sustainable materials and be prepared to pay a little extra for quality and durability. TopEco Green recommends choosing stainless steel with a powder coating or sustainable wood treated with linseed, tung, refined hemp, soy, or walnut oil. These are drying oils that harden and preserve wood, providing a long-lasting finish. If you are after a clear varnish finish, TopEco Green recommends AFM Safecoat Polyureseal EXT for exterior use on walkways, pool decks, floors, patios, and showrooms. 

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7. The Sunlounger: 
The furniture you choose to kick back and relax on is where you should make a statement in your garden. Splash out on a luxury piece or extravagant duo-set. Surround your curves in exquisite class and sustainable, non-toxic materials. You don't want your hot sun-drenched body soaking up hazardous VOCs! TopEco Green recommends the Hampton Outdoor Sunlounger for a taste of lavish style and comfort. Expertly crafted using ethically sourced eco-friendly, sustainable materials, each piece is individually handmade using up-to-date methods and technology.

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1. Air Purifiers and PCO Cleaners

Investing in a great air filter can go a long way in removing dangerous chemicals hanging around in the air from your furniture. PCO cleaners, in particular, use UV light to change gas-based pollutants into harmless products. However, they do not remove particles like a good air purifier. 

2. Baking Soda

Many VOCs are acidic. Because of this, using alkaline baking soda as a deodoriser to trap harmful gases may provide some relief. To do this:

1. Sprinkle baking soda over furniture or carpets. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to work it into the fabric.
2. Let the baking soda sit for as long as possible, then vacuum it up.
3. Take this a step further and air out your home afterwards.

3. House Plants

Studies show that some house plants help absorb chemicals lingering in the air. Researchers in one study recommended purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata), English ivy, purple heart, foxtail fern and wax plant for their superior air-filtering abilities. Also, they suggest, "… adding a cross-section of plants, one per 100 square feet of living space."

4. Charcoal Filters

Charcoal has been used to help remove dangerous gases during warfare due to its highly porous nature. Purchasing a charcoal filter for your home may help remove some of the VOCs lingering in the air in your home environment. Just be sure to change the filters frequently.

5. Ventilation & Off-Gassing

After purchasing new furniture, it would be wise to let it "off-gas" or "air out" outside or in a garage with lots of ventilation. Doing this allows the chemicals to evaporate and release quickly outside rather than inside your home, where they can be trapped for months. While this action will not eliminate all of the VOCs (some can take up to 6 months to off-gas, while others stick around for years), it can help with the initial off-gassing of most VOCs. Be sure to keep your home well-ventilated as well, with regular airing out to reduce the accumulation of chemicals in the interior air. 

6. Always Purchase Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Furniture

While it's nearly impossible to thoroughly remove all of the chemicals in your environment and on your new furniture, purchasing eco-friendly furniture with a guarantee of no harmful toxins built into the manufacturing process is the perfect way to minimise toxins in your home from stopping it at the source. Companies like the popular TopEco Home furniture store specialise in eco-friendly furniture that has been manufactured with the environment and human longevity in mind. Setting your new home up with green, environmentally friendly furniture from the outset will go a long way in minimising your and your family's exposure for the rest of your lives.