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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...
✔ Hand-Carved Solid Ash Frame
✔ Customizable Upholstery
✔ Great Comfort & Support
They Say: The hand-carved frame and natural materiality give The Allen an organic, refined silhouette. Expertly crafted of solid ash wood and paired with tailored upholstery for casual comfort.
We Say: The Allen Dining Chair from Maiden Home is an excellent option if you’re looking for a dining chair that you can customize to your specific taste and pair perfectly with your existing non-toxic dining table.
Maiden Home is well known in the eco-furniture trade for making eco-friendly couches, so when I saw The Allen online, I couldn’t resist giving it a test.
The hand-carved solid ash frame can be refined to match your style by choosing one of 16 upholstery options.
Add the different colors into the mix, and you have non-toxic dining chairs that come in nearly 80 customizable options.
The price varies depending on your upholstery choices but starts at $485 per chair. That might sound expensive but it represents decent value compared to some of the chairs I’ve tested and rejected.
The solid Ash looks stunning and feels like it would last a lifetime.
I found the cushions offered a really good level of comfort and support, and although I don't normally like chairs with hard backs, these seem to be made at an angle that offers a lot more comfort than most.
You can order up to five fabric swatches for free, so you can get a hands-on feel for the quality and color before ordering.
The Allen ships in 4-6 weeks, and white glove delivery costs $135.
✔ 100% Reclaimed Materials
✔ Choice of Colors
✔ Handmade in the USA
They Say: Made of reclaimed and responsibly selected materials, engineered for comfort and strength, and designed to be humble and timeless.
We Say: These chairs are made by Emeco, a sustainable furniture brand sold via Made Trade.
I’ve used/recommended Made Trade many times in the past. They sell beautiful, handmade products that are sourced ethically - and they're climate neutral certified AND vegan too.
The Alfi is handmade by artisans in Pennsylvania. It has reclaimed wooden legs and arms, and a seat and back made from recycled polypropylene.
It's tough, durable, and wipes clean easily. But despite this, it's also surprisingly comfortable, and the choice of 5 color options means you can match it with any other sustainable furniture you might have in your kitchen or dining room.
A seat height of 18" and an arm height of 26.5" meant that these seats pushed nicely under our kitchen table.
In terms of usability, these also scored very highly with me. The soft backs made them ideal for reclining with an after-dinner drink and gave me all the support I needed during mealtime as well.
The Alfi offers a combination of comfort and strength. They really feel like they will last a lifetime, but at the same time, the ergonomic design means they are fine for entertaining or sitting on for longer periods.
Free U.S. delivery is available on all orders over $100. You can also return for free in the first 15 days for either a store credit refund or exchange if you’re unhappy with your purchase.
✔ 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: Up-cycling 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: The range on offer at Made Trade is so good that they make the list twice in this article!
This time it’s the turn of Emeco's quirky 111 Navy Chair.
I love a good backstory (especially a good sustainability back story), and the Emeco 111 Navy Chair ticks all the boxes.
It’s made from recycled materials. Each chair stops 111 PET bottles from ending up in 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 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 and I was able to linger for second helpings without my backside going to sleep!
Hands down the best plastic chair on the market for me.
Delivered to your door, free of charge, by a Climate Neutral Certified company. LOVELY STUFF!
✔ 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 make it a practical option for families with kids or pets.
A whole host of fabric options allow 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.
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.
Find out more about these and much more in our ultimate guide to eco-certifications here.
As mentioned in my article Metal Vs Wooden Bed Frame: Which Is Right For You, some people suffer adverse health 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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