Design for Forward-Thinkers – Sustainable Office Furniture

Truly sustainable interior design hinges on a number of factors, but the first and foremost is material. The composition of your furnishings plays a significant role in determining their environmental impact. Not in the way they are made for and used in your space, but also their capacity to be disposed of or repurposed in an environmentally friendly way.

Photo: Yarn Collective creates natural, recycled textiles in distinctive colour palettes, from gentle neutrals to rich and fiery hues. 

Cork is derived from the bark of cork oak trees. The process of harvesting cork involves carefully stripping the bark without causing harm to the tree, allowing it to regenerate and be harvested again in the future. This sustainable harvesting method ensures that the cork oak forests, primarily found in Mediterranean countries like Portugal, Spain, and Italy, remain healthy and intact.

Using cork in office furniture not only aligns with sustainable principles, both in how it is harvested and its capacity to be recycled and disposed of responsibly, but it also adds a touch of natural beauty and warmth to a workspace. The distinctive texture and natural variations in colour make cork furniture visually appealing and versatile, blending well with a variety of interior design styles.

Bamboo stands out as a unique and sustainable resource for office furniture. Unlike traditional wood, bamboo is a type of grass that grows exceptionally quickly, surpassing the growth rate of most trees. This allows bamboo to reach its full size in just one to five years, which is a stark contrast to the decades it takes for trees to fully mature.

On top of these impressive credentials, bamboo is recommended for office furniture because it is lightweight and exceptionally durable. It has a classic look which lends itself to the professional minimalism found in most modern office spaces today.

Natural fabrics, such as organic cotton, hemp, wool, and linen, are derived from renewable plant or animal sources. The natural fabrics we source for our projects are cultivated and harvested using eco-friendly practices that minimise the use of harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. 

By opting for office furniture that uses natural upholstery fabrics, companies can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Recycled materials commonly used in office furniture include recycled plastics, metals, wood, and textiles. These materials are sourced from post-consumer waste or industrial by products, diverting them from landfills and giving them a new purpose.

By utilising recycled materials, office furniture contributes to waste reduction and resource conservation, making it a sustainable choice for businesses.

Wood has been a go-to material for office furniture for years, most often utilised in worktops and as the bases of chairs. Whether wood is sustainable or not really depends on how it is sourced. 

Look out for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) labels as well as PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) markers, as these indicate that the wood used in a particular product has been sourced from a managed woodland. These areas are carefully cultivated to not only produce the highest quality timber but also to preserve and enrich the surrounding ecosystem.

But, where possible, opt for woods sourced from European forests, as these are covered by legislation that demands a minimum amount of replanted trees per harvest. Hardwoods and softwoods can both be sustainably procured, if their growth and replenishment is managed in the correct way. 

We offer a wide range of sustainable office furniture, sourced right here in the UK from a collection of high-end and eco-conscious designers, specially crafted for workplaces and communal spaces.

Rooted in simplicity, functionality, and natural elements, Scandinavian design brings a refreshing and minimalist aesthetic to office environments. An array of textures and neutral tones create tactile spaces that everyone can agree on.

Achieve the Scandi office look by combining modern oak desks with cork flooring and accenting with white chairs and touches of chrome and black. This mix softens the sleek tech of your modern office with repurposed, natural textures.

Then, to seal the eco-deal, you can introduce some vibrant indoor plant life. Some popular choices include birds of paradise, cheese plants, and ficuses – all of which can work in unison to complete your Scandi look.

By adding greenery to your workplace, you can actually significantly improve indoor air quality for your employees.

Some of the best species to elevate your office interior are: Peace Lilies, Aloe Vera, Weeping Figs, Spider Plants, Bamboo Palms, English Ivy and Snake Plants.

Scandinavian interiors work beautifully with recycled surfaces, like this communal table top made from recycled wood chips and plywood. The colours are neutral and gentle on the eyes, making them perfect for spaces that value comfort and productivity.

Industrial chic describes utilitarian, urban spaces that have been stripped-back and repurposed. This style accentuates the original features with finesse. Featuring raw materials, exposed brick, and metalwork, often flooded in natural light from floor-length windows. Tech, abstract art, and a medley of distressed fabrics come together to create edgy, trendy spaces.

This office space is bright and inviting, exhibiting biophilic design in a controlled and professional manner, tying in leaves, big and small, with the green fabric of the couches and the reflective glass coffee tables. 

These wood planters blend Scandinavian and biophilic touches to create a tasteful hint of natural colour, and can also be effortlessly moved around via lockable wheels. This manoeuvrability is the perfect for future-proofing a multi-use workspace.

Another effective example of biophilic design can be found in our installation for The Telegraph dining space, which drew inspiration from the ocean, with its reclaimed wooden tabletops and use of deep blues and warm whites, to create a calming environment.

Sustainable interior design is often associated with earthy tones and greenery. But they can be full of life in other ways – bright and bold interiors can provide uplifting, joyful working environments.

A great example of finding colour in sustainability is in these striking stools, made from 100% recycled industrial and household plastics. These column-like pieces are a fun and adaptable feature that could work well in just about any modern office, offering a refined and professional splash of colour, whilst remaining eco-friendly. 

Beyond the aesthetic appeal and functional aspects, sustainable office furniture plays a crucial role in reducing the ecological footprint of a workspace. By opting for furniture crafted from eco-friendly materials and utilising sustainable manufacturing processes, companies can demonstrate their dedication to preserving the environment while creating a stylish and adaptive workplace for their employees.