Eco-friendly furniture options

For most of us, good furniture equals furniture made of wood. But internationally, the trend is shifting towards furniture made of Medium Density Fiberboard or MDF. This is happening for two reasons...

For most of us, good furniture equals furniture made of wood. But internationally, the trend is shifting towards furniture made of Medium Density Fiberboard or MDF. This is happening for two reasons – the high cost of real wood furniture and the desire to save the environment.

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So what is MDF? MDF is made of wood waste fibres glued together with resin, heat and pressure. “Where many trees may need to be cut to make one piece of furniture, only a few branches need to be sacrificed if the furniture is made of MDF,” says Deepak.

Goyal, owner and architect, Mobel Grace, a Delhi-based high-end furniture and design store. The brand uses German technology to make MDF furniture. MDF takes paint well and is easy to make furniture with because it is smooth. “It’s low-maintenance and unlike wood, it doesn’t swell when in contact with water.

Also, it is known for its insulating qualities regarding sound and heat,” says Goyal. Another way to be eco-friendly is to maintain your wood furniture so that it lasts longer. The latest option is to use laminates on wood. Says Manish Kakkar, brand manager, Greenply, “Laminates are imitations of wood.

They are used as the last layer on furniture and act as protection.” Earlier, laminates were used only on tables. Now, because of the range in designs, they are being used as wall panelling, as a highlight on furniture, on wardrobes and in kitchens.

Kakkar explains, “Our Mika and Greenlam range have laminates that have a paisley design, various textures and abstract designs, to name a few variations. They are now used as wallpapers and add to the decoration of the home itself.”

Laminates are also water resistant. “They act as a barrier, are scratchproof, do not dent easily and are cigarette burn-resistant,” says Kakkar.