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I don't know about you, but the idea of breathing in harmful chemicals while sitting down to a family meal makes me feel a little sick.
That's why, when I was asked to research the best non-toxic dining chairs to go with my eco-friendly dining table, I was only too happy to take on the task.
I set out to find dining room furniture that is free of harmful chemicals, made from sustainable materials, and has non-toxic coatings/finishes so you can have absolute peace of mind at mealtimes.
Later in this article, I’ll discuss the benefits of eco friendly dining chairs and show you how to choose the right set for your home.
But I want to start by showing you my top picks.
Whether you’re looking for something traditional or modern, luxury or budget, I have an eco-friendly chair set that is perfect for you...
✔ CertiPUR-US Certified Foam
✔ Domestically Sourced Wood
✔ Luxurious Comfort
They Say: A soft, versatile, performance weave with subtle texture. Family, kid, and pet-friendly, incorporating Fibreguard yarn to achieve a high level of repellency and easy cleaning of everyday spills and stains. Padded with ultra-resilient CertiPUR-US certified poly foam for a supportive and comfortable sit.
We Say: The Medley Home Jasmi Dining Arm Chair is a comfortable and customizable option for your dining room or kitchen.
The CertiPUR-US-certified padded seat and back made this chair the comfiest of the options I tested. I could sit on this chair and eat/drink/chat for hours. And the high level of stain and spill repellency makes it a practical option for families with kids or pets.
A whole host of fabric options allows you to personalize this chair to match your home’s style.
The thin frame and arms give it a modern touch, making it an excellent choice for any contemporary space.
I love the domestically sourced maple wood used. It adds a pale, classy quality to the chair.
The Jasmi Dining Arm Chair is a comfortable and stylish addition to any dining area.
If you like your dining chair without arms, you might prefer the Jasmi Dining Chair.
And, if you eat at a counter rather than a table, you should give the Jasmi Counter Stool a look.
They Say: Only reclaimed barn wood could produce such beauty! These handmade dining chairs are built from old-growth reclaimed barn wood and finished with a durable, eco-friendly finish to ensure they will stay beautiful and not bring any toxins into your home.
We Say: I ordered a WHAT WE MAKE dining chair because I wanted to test sustainable seating that was not mass-produced. The ordering process was simple, and I love how many different wood and finish options there are.
The chair arrived via freight delivery in a custom crate, and Etsy offset the delivery carbon emissions through its Climate Impact programme. The driver left it curbside, and I needed my wife's help moving the package into our dining room. This might be an issue if you live alone or lack assistance for heavy deliveries.
WHAT WE MAKE allows collections from their Algonquin, IL, showroom. If you're local, you can visit them to inspect your chair and take it home yourself. This reduces shipping costs and the risk of damage caused by careless couriers.
WHAT WE MAKE sources 100+ year-old oak from torn-down midwestern barns. My chair shows natural knots, nail holes, and weathering marks. I love these imperfections - they give the chair character that mass-produced furniture cannot replicate.
The plant-based finish gives excellent protection. I accidentally spilled green tea on the seat during breakfast, and the liquid beaded up rather than soaking into the wood. I wiped it clean within 30 seconds without leaving marks.
WHAT WE MAKE builds these chairs to order, which means lead times vary. My order took 10 weeks from purchase to delivery.
They Say: What you don't see in the Alfi collection is as important as what you do see. The seat is made from 100% reclaimed materials with a speckled texture for a natural touch, and the legs are crafted from sustainably sourced wood.
We Say: I tested Emeco's Alfi High Back Chair for my parents' dining room after they asked me to help find sustainable seating for their retirement remodel project.
The Emeco chairs took 5 weeks to arrive once ordered. They were shipped fully assembled with free standard shipping from the retailer. I easily unpacked all four chairs on my own within about 15 minutes.
Emeco makes the Alfi High Back Chair from reclaimed polypropylene mixed with wood fiber waste from lumber yards. The speckled texture feels slightly rough to the touch and is much easier to clean than upholstered alternatives I tested.
I tested the chairs during six family dinners. The 31.5" height works perfectly with my parents' standard-height dining table. Both my parents found the seats comfortable for hour-long meals.
Emeco manufactures these chairs in the US, with production centred in Hanover, Pennsylvania. This appealed to my parents' preference for American-made products. The brand has made furniture from salvaged materials since 1944, starting with aluminum for the US Navy.
✔ Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
✔ Good for Indoor & Outdoor Use
✔ Tough, Durable but Surprisingly Comfortable
They Say: Coca-Cola and Emeco collaborated to solve an environmental problem: upcycling consumer waste into a sustainable, timeless, classic chair. Made of 111 recycled PET bottles, the 111 Navy Chair is a story of innovation.
We Say: I love a good backstory (especially a good sustainability backstory), and the Emeco 111 Navy Chair ticks all the boxes.
Emeco uses 111 recycled PET bottles to make each 111 Navy Chair, which helps keep plastic waste out of landfill (or the ocean), and that's something that definitely works for me.
What's more, these chairs are built to last and would look damn good in a funky dining room. Maybe even a set of all different colors?
They're also suitable for outdoor use, so they can double up as patio furniture if you're having friends over for some alfresco dining.
I also found them to be surprisingly comfortable. I usually don't enjoy sitting on dining room furniture for long periods, but these chairs were different. I was able to linger for second helpings without my backside going to sleep!
Hands down, the best plastic dining chair on the market for me.
When shopping for your next sustainable furniture pieces, there are many things to look out for to avoid bringing the unwelcome dinner guests of formaldehyde (and its posse of toxic chemical friends) to the table.
When it comes to wooden chairs, your best bet is to go with solid wood.
This is because engineered wood products (like MDF, particle board, and plywood) often contain formaldehyde-based adhesives. These adhesives can off-gas over time, exposing you and your family to harmful chemicals.
On the other hand, solid wood furniture doesn’t have any adhesives holding it together. It’s also less likely to off-gas in general since wood is a naturally stable material.
The best dinner chairs are usually made from wood. However, other options are available. Such as:
Many conventional chairs are coated with harmful chemicals that release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air over time.
When you’re shopping for non-toxic chairs, be sure to look for products that contain low-VOC or zero-VOC finishes.
Some safe and non-toxic finishes to look for include:
If you’re looking for upholstered chairs, pay close attention to the fabrics. Many conventional fabrics are treated with harmful chemicals like flame retardants and stain repellents.
These chemicals also off-gas over time, so when you’re shopping for upholstered chairs, be sure to look for sustainable fabrics, such as:
In addition to paying attention to the fabrics, you’ll also want to ensure the seat cushions are made from safe materials.
Look out for options such as:
In addition to CertiPUR-US and GOLS, there are several other certifications commonly found on eco-friendly furniture.
Seeing one or more of the following respected third-party certifications on your new non-toxic chairs gives you added peace of mind that things like sustainable business practices, zero-VOC glues, and zero-VOC stains have been used.
As mentioned in my article Metal Vs Wooden Bed Frame: Which Is Right For You, some people report experiencing some adverse health effects when exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF).
So if you have your heart set on metal chairs and want an extra level of protection, look for chairs that are EMF-shielded or have low EMF emissions.
I did not test anything from Pottery Barn so can’t comment on where they stand in the table of non-toxic furniture brands.
However, they offer plenty of non-toxic and eco-friendly options. Look for their ’CERTIFIED NON-TOXIC’, ’SUSTAINABLY SOURCED’, and ’THIS PURCHASE PLANTS A TREE®’ labels.
According to this PDF, “IKEA puts a lot of effort and resources in lowering formaldehyde emissions, targeting the glue used when producing wood-based products. This work also comprises improved material sourcing and production techniques. Further, IKEA works closely with their suppliers to continually improve and implement quality routines and procedures”.
It’s often not feasible to remove formaldehyde from furniture because it’s usually in the glue that holds it together.
However, you can reduce some of the effects of off-gassing by following the tips in this article.
No, not all non-toxic furniture has a Prop 65 warning.
Only products that contain formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity are required to have this warning label.
None of the metal chairs I tested were up to scratch. I’ll keep looking/testing and update this article as soon as I find a worthy contender.
They do a small range of storage units, but not bedroom-specific furniture. However, they can make bespoke pieces to specific requirements if you ask.
There you have it! A comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect non-toxic chairs for your green home.
Remember, when you’re shopping for non-toxic chairs, be sure to look for products that are made from solid wood, have low-VOC or VOC-free finishes, and are upholstered with sustainable fabrics.
You’ll also want to ensure the seat cushions are made from natural materials.
By following these simple tips, you can be sure you’re choosing a safe and stylish set of non-toxic chairs for your dining room…and keeping the toxic chemicals (and indoor air pollution) to a minimum.
Where do you buy your non-toxic furniture? Do you prefer traditional solid woods? Or are you more of a recycled plastic kind of person?
Do you pay as much attention to the eco-credentials of chairs as you do for dining tables? Or are you ok with standard furniture and chemical fire retardants? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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