Easy Green: Stylish Ecofriendly Furniture

The world of green design today is filled with beautiful options in styles ranging from posh traditional to sleek and modern. Just because your sofa is ecofriendly doesn't mean it needs to look like it. From sustainable wood to soy cushions, there are many ways a piece of furniture can be green, and here I'll break it down so you know the most important things to look for.

Key terms to know:

• FSC certified: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a nonprofit organization promoting responsible management of the world's forests; its certification is widely considered the gold standard for sustainable wood.
• SFI certified: The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) also offers certification for wood cut from sustainably managed forests, but there has been a huge controversy in the world of green design over the merits of this certification. You can read more about the controversy on Treehugger.
• Reclaimed or salvaged wood: This wood has already lived one "life" and has been turned into a new piece of furniture. For instance, an old barn floor made into a headboard. Many other materials can be salvaged as well, from textiles to metal and glass.
• Organic: Just as with food, organic fabrics come from plants raised without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
• Natural fibers: They include wool, cotton, jute and sisal and are a good alternative to synthetic materials, which sometimes contain harmful chemicals.