Sustainable Outdoor Furniture And Decor Guide For Your Outdoor Space

If sourced and produced correctly, teak is a great option for sustainable outdoor furniture. Sustainably sourced teak comes from facilities in Indonesia under the jurisdiction of Perum Perhutani, a state-owned enterprise responsible for the oversight of teak production. Sustainable teak outdoor furniture is made using time-tested methods and Grade-A, responsibly harvested plantation teak. The result is a win for everyone: sustainable materials, and furniture that’s high-quality, durable, and made to last for generations. 

Teak is not only beautiful, but it’s also extremely hard-wearing, easy to care for, and resistant to rot and mold, making it an ideal choice for even the harshest of weather conditions. To ensure you’re sourcing sustainable teak outdoor furniture, shop from reputable brands that are transparent about their sourcing and production. AuthenTEAK carries teak furniture from vetted, industry-trusted brands such as Kingsley Bate, POVL Outdoor, Barlow Tyrie, Cane-line, and Gloster (to name a few), which prioritize the use of premium-quality and ethically grown and harvested teak. 

See also: The Story of Sustainability Teak

Ipe wood is another sustiinable material used in outdoor furniture. Jensen Outdoor, for example, uses 100% FSC®-certified Ipe timber responsibly harvested from the tropical forests of Bolivia. 

Jensen Outdoor was among the first outdoor furniture manufacturers to receive Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Certification. This certification confirms that the forest is being managed to preserve biological diversity, benefit local people and workers, and ensure economic viability. Through a land-lease partnership with the Bolivian government, Jensen Outdoor manages over 2 million acres of dry-tropical forests in Eastern Bolivia. 

Jensen Outdoor’s Ipe wood is not only incredibly durable, but Ipe hardwood trees grow slowly, taking nearly a century to reach the dimensions necessary to produce the finest, most durable, timbers on the market today.

When decorating your outdoor space, it’s also easy to find beautiful, durable furniture made from high-density polyethylene (or HDPE) lumber or composite wood. Made primarily from post-consumer bottle waste—such as milk jugs or water bottles—HDPE is built to withstand all four seasons and a wide range of climates and weather. When constructed properly, HDPE furniture ranks as one of the most durable and low-maintenance materials in the outdoor furniture industry. 

One of the most well-known producers of HDPE furniture is POLYWOOD, which constructs its furniture from genuine POLYWOOD® lumber, a proprietary material made using landfill-bound and ocean-bound plastics. POLYWOOD recycles millions of landfill-bound and ocean-bound plastic containers every year, and its array of outdoor furnishings—which includes Adirondack chairs, dining, benches, lounging, deep seating, and more—feature color-stay technology and are backed by a 20-year warranty. 

“HDPE furniture is amazingly low-maintenance and virtually indestructible—but better yet, this furniture has a great sustainability story,” says AuthenTEAK CEO Eric Brenner. “Not only does the POLYWOOD brand of furniture put ocean-bound plastics to good use, but because their furniture is so well made, it does not have to be replaced very often.”

In addition to sustainable outdoor furniture, some outdoor accessories are also made from eco-friendly materials. For instance, KoverRoos has been making breathable eco-friendly outdoor furniture covers since 1994. Backed by a five-year no-fade warranty, KoverRoos furniture covers offer superior UV protection and are run through rigorous tensile strength tests to ensure long-lasting durability. Three out of KoverRoos’ four fabric types are from 100% recyclable materials, which can be recycled in curbside recycling bins. Additionally, as a part of the brand’s sustainability efforts/program, KoverRoos offers three annual scholarships of $1000 to distinguished students committed to furthering the three pillars of sustainability and the preservation of our environment. 

One of the best ways to decorate sustainably is to maintain the longevity of existing furniture and decor. Invest in the right maintenance and care tools to prolong the life and look of sustainable decor. Use protective covers when furniture isn’t in use and periodically clean with and treat your outdoor pieces with solutions specifically made for the outdoors. 

For AuthenTEAK, beautiful living goes deeper than just aesthetics. We’re proud to carry a curated selection of designer furniture that’s crafted with sustainable materials. From recycled, mindfully sourced materials to ethical manufacturing processes, the beauty of sustainable decor extends far beyond the backyard, improving the lives of people and places across the globe. We hope you’ll join us in embracing the beauty of the outdoors—in the havens we create and the choices we make.