I’ve noticed that a lot of people wind up at Green Your Decor looking for eco-friendly sofas and chairs — particularly ones that are priced reasonably. The problem is that pretty much all the ones I’ve written about in the past no longer are for sale. So here’s a roundup of some reasonably- and not-so-reasonably-priced eco-friendly sofas and chairs, in order of price. Some are greener than others as well, so be sure to read the descriptions. As a general rule, the more expensive options will have more eco-friendly qualities than the lower-priced ones.

West Elm’s Henry Sofa, $699-849. Frame constructed from sustainably harvested hardwood, pillow fibers are created from recycled water bottles, springs constructed of 70% recycled high-gauge steel, foam in cushions and arms is made from 20% soy-based materials, padding and fiber on the seat is constructed using recycled carpet materials, and made in the USA in west elm’s own FSC-certified factory. Available in cotton and linen/cotton blend fabrics, though none are organic.

West Elm’s Linden Sofa & Chair, $899 (sofa) or $1379 (for the pair). FSC-certified wood frame and legs, fabric is 100% recycled cotton a nd low-impactdyes are GOTS certified, decking and dust cover are organic cotton, foam is partially soy based, and made in the U.S.

Parlour Sofa from CB2, $999. Made with a certified sustainable, kiln-dried hardwood frame, seat cushion made of soy-based polyfoam and fiber, upholstered in cotton (not as good as organic, but better than polyester).

Greenington Magnolia Loveseat, $1319 and Magnolia Sofa Chair, $839. As truly green furniture goes, Greenington is up there with the best of them.  Made of sustainably-harvested bamboo. The style of these is “love it” or “hate it.” They remind me a bit of patio furniture, but I think they could work surrounded by the right colors and decor. (aff)

If you want something really green…

If you want a sofa with LOTS of green credentials, there are a bunch of options, but you’ll have to spend more. Here are a couple of my favorites, with pricing where available.

Camille Sofa from EKLA Home (call for pricing). Upholstered in 100% U.S.-grown and -milled organic cotton fabric, and made with natural Rubber, 100% organic U.S.-grown and -milled wool, organic cotton barrier cloth, FSC-certified alder frame and legs, recycled steel springs and Safecoat no-VOC stain. It doesn’t get much better than that, but this sofa will run you a couple thousand dollars.

EcoBalanza Square Sofa, $4600. Made with FSC-Certified, kiln-dried wood, natural latex foam cushions, 8-way hand tied coil springs and eco-friendly adhesives. Available upholstery options include recycled Polyester along with organic hemp, cotton and wool.

General Tips

When you’re really on a budget for furniture, you have to get creative. Buying used furniture from Craigslist or a thrift store is always a good way to go. Find a good upholsterer in your area, or if you feel adventurous, attempt to reupholster your found pieces on your own. There are tons of tutorials online, and you wouldn’t believe how beautiful you can make your home with used pieces. A great example:

Chloe Vintage Sofa by EcoChic, $1750. A petite vintage sofa was recovered in charcoal velvet fabric and given new wood legs. The price includes two linen accent cushions.

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A few weeks ago, I sent out a tweet about one of my favorite catalogs:

I know that many design enthusiasts eagerly anticipate when stores like IKEA and Pottery Barn release their catalogs and new products. And while I like to ogle these catalogs and can appreciate the fabulous design, I’m much more excited when companies like Viva Terra debut new products. Why? Because I know they have been sustainably made and I can feel good about buying anything I discover that I can’t live without

I ventured over to the Viva Terra site today, and I found LOTS that I am really excited about. Here are some of my favorites:

Eco Sectional Sleeper: Made with a certified sustainable wood frame, water-based wood finishes, recycled fiber filling in the pillows, soy-based filling in the cushions, and organic cotton ticking with tufted buttons framed by linen. $4950. (aff)

Etched Silver Armoire: LOVE this! It’s not quite as green as I would like, given that it’s made with German silver, but it is also made with reclaimed wood. $995. (aff)

Flowing Script Chair: Made of recycled metal and upholstered in linen. $349. (aff)

Vintage Kantha Upholstered Chair: The patchwork fabric is handmade by Indian artisans from vintage cotton saris. The chair also features organic linen upholstery fabric, recycled fibers, down pillow fill, and certified kiln-dried hardwood frames. $2595-2695. (aff)

Meadowflower Rug: I can remember watching my mother crochet blankets and Christmas ornaments as a little girl, and this rug reminds me of that. The flowers are delicately handmade, but the color scheme and randomly shaped edges give the rug a modern look. Hand-crocheted of wool. $395-795. (aff)

Moroccan Hanging Lamps: Do I even need to explain why these caught my eye? Handmade of recycled aluminum. $149-449. (aff)

Ikat Dinnerware: I had to save the best for last. I LOVE this dinnerware! This is the type of setting I could easily see passing down to my kids. Handmade by an artisan ceramicist. $98-349. (aff)

There are many more new items that I’d like to share, but you can check them out for yourself at the Find natural home décor, unique women’s accessories, elegant dinnerware, organic gifts and more at VivaTerra site. Seriously, I think this is one of my favorite product debuts in a while.

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There are two places in our home where I’d like to put a chair. But not just any chair. It has to be used — preferably from the mid-century era. And it has be something I can bring back to life with new upholstery. Of course, the idea that I can reupholster a chair with no experience or help other than internet tutorials is just that — an idea. As badly as I want to attempt this, I admit I’m more than a little intimidated. After all, chair upholstery can require a lot of fabric, and I don’t want to start something I won’t finish. So while I build my courage to attempt my own rehab job, here are a few vintage chairs that have been given a gorgeous new life with a little elbow grease:

1. Rubie

If I could ever convince my husband that pink really is a great decorating color, even outside our daughter’s room, I’d snatch up this chair in a heartbeat. Not only does it feature the gorgeous mid-century lines that I love so much, it is also reupholstered in Rubie Green’s organic cotton East Village fabric. Seriously, I think etsy seller revivalfurniture made this one just for me. And if not for me, I imagine Nicole Balch from Making It Lovely could find a place for it. Price: $650

2. Lewittes Wingback Cane Chair

Call me crazy, but I think this chair is fabulous!  It’s bright, velvety (is that a word), and seriously funky! And would you believe I found a chair like this with very similar bones at a thrift store once and didn’t buy it because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to reupholster it? The ugly floral fabric definitely needed replacing. Now that I see how gorgeous this chair looks, I’m really beginning to regret passing on that thrift store find. Particularly since it would’ve cost me just $45. Price: $550

3. Lucille

A lot of people think it’s a sin to paint old wood, but I’m OK with it in some circumstances. This chair from etsy seller threesidewaysglances is one of them. The muted gray paint paired with Thomas Paul’s parasol fabric is a gorgeous combination. But, this chair will definitely call attention to itself, so it could be tough to place. Still, projects like this give me hope that I can turn a beat up old chair into something fresh and fabulous. Price: $529

4. Reupholstered Vintage Tomlinson Chairs

I admit I’m swooning a little over these chairs. More specifically, over the fabulous reupholstery. Left to my own devices, I never would have chosen something so opulent, with black and grey velvet and velour paired with embroidered satin. And while the embroidery is a little more frilly than I’d like, the combination is really stunning. Price: $599/ea.

Looking for more inspiration? Do what I do: Stalk the Design Sponge Before & After section. I’ll also be obsessively checking Craigslist for the diamond in the rough I can nurse back to health. Have a vintage piece you’d like to share? I’d love to see it!

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Lately, I’ve been getting a little bored with my own decorating taste. As a graphic designer, I definitely find myself drawn to clean lines and symmetry, and I tend to design with 2 or 3 colors in a room, rarely deviating from that idea. It works, for sure, but sometimes, I wish I was a little more adventurous. Nothing crazy, but just more pattern and color in unexpected ways.

In this spirit, this Moroccan-inspired pouf from Viva Terra really caught my eye. It looks like a great place to relax when I don’t want to sit on the floor, or when my daughter is sitting for a marathon combing session for her head of beautiful, curly hair. In face, I can picture a few of these poufs together in a corner where I’d be able to read to my daughter or read to myself.

First, I’ll have to convince myself that they will “match” my decor. But that pushed me away from the reason I want to add them in the first place: because they don’t match. I’m going to drive myself crazy.I think I need a design intervention…

On a side note, I made a bold decorating decision today that will add a focal point to our otherwise bland living room. It will require some diligence to find what I’m looking for in a consignment shop, along with a little elbow grease, but I think the result will absolutely be worth it. I’ll share more on that project once I start getting all the elements together.

Why It’s Green:

• Handmade of silk

Price: $138 (aff)

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Whew! This has been a long week and a half for me. The actually process of moving is almost never fun, but even less so when you have to do it all yourself up a very narrow flight of stairs. But you know what? Having our own place is worth every bump, bruise and scratch along the way, and I couldn’t be happier if I tried. Well…I’ll be happier when we get rid of all these boxes, but still…

And having all this space has definitely given me the decorating itch. Even with boxes stacked up all in corners and along walls, I see so much potential. Take our master bedroom, for example. I’ve been saying for a while that we want to get a platform bed, but we’ve got a lot more space now than we’re used to. So much that I’d love to get a cushy chair to put in a corner for those quiet mornings when I just want to sit under a window and read.

The Linden Armchair from West Elm is green enough to be a serious contender, not to mention stylish and timeless. Even the dust cover is made of organic cotton. I can just picture curling up in this baby with a hot cup of mint tea. There’s just one problem. It costs more than my rent

Why It’s Green:

• Made of FSC-certified wood
• Cushions partially made of soy-based polyfoam
• Recycled cotton upholstery
• Dust cover made of organic cotton grown in the U.S.
• Low-impact dyes release no toxins

Price: $749 (aff)

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If you have a bar counter in your kitchen, you know that they are a great place to add extra seating in the form of barstools. We currently have two old black ones that were basically the cheapest we could find at the time. Sure, they’re still in decent condition, if you don’t mind a wobble or two when you’re sitting down and getting back up. My problem is that my daughter thinks they are a ride at an amusement park, and she gets a kick out of spinning the stools, even when they are empty. So when we move into our own place, we’ll probably put our current stools in the yard sale pile and upgrade to something more stylish with no spinning parts.

I love these bamboo bar stools from Viva Terra. They are just 30″ tall, and they have a simple, sleek profile that would be great in my idea of a dream kitchen, which would feature dark wood cabinets with no molding and modern chrome or brushed nickel hardware. There are also no moving parts, which is great, but I’d almost be switching one problem for another. I’m not sure how mini me would handle bar stools with no back rest. I choose to make lemons from this lemonade: They would give me an opportunity to teach her about proper posture.

And why are they the Green Steal of the Week? Because for $149, you get a set of 2 stools. Sounds like a great deal to me.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of bamboo

Price: $149 for a set of 2 30″ stools

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As of October 1, 2010, all of these items are sold out. Click here for more affordable, eco-friendly seating options that are currently available.

As you all well know, eco-friendly upholstered furniture can definitely lean toward the unaffordable for many people. While I would be willing to cut back and save up for an $8000 sofa that will likely last my family a lifetime (perhaps even several), I know that there are lots of readers who won’t, or can’t, do that. If you still want to go green, but not at so high a cost, here are some great sustainable furniture options.

Montego Navy Pennyback Sofa

This sofa is the least expensive on the list and it is dripping with retro style. Covered in deep blue microfiber, it features a tufted back complete with covered buttons. I can envision it in a stark, minimal monochromatic room adorned with white pillows.  It looks a bit like it would have been at home in a 70s-era basement family room with wood paneling behind it, but it has a lot more style. It would be great in a small apartment or room, because the armless style will make it feel less bulky. A matching armless chair is available for $599.

• Why It’s Green: Made in the U.S. using sustainably harvested hardwoods, soy-based cushions and recycled steel springs and covered in microfiber that is Oeko-Tex 100 certified.
• Price: $999 (aff)
• Update as of 5/24/09: No longer available in Navy, but available in two neutrals for the same price: Latte and Cocoa. (aff)

Tonto Sofa

This is a beautiful, classically-designed sofa that I have absolutely fallen in love with. From the taut cushions to the chocolate brown upholstery and gold nailhead detail, everything about this sofa screams “expensive” — except for the price. At just $1099, I’m honestly surprised that this sofa has as many green qualities as it does. The matching chair in a complimentary, modern floral fabric (shown above) is available for $599.

• Why It’s Green: Made In North Carolina using sustainably harvested hardwoods, soy-based cushions and recycled steel springs
• Price: $1099 (aff)

Zipper-Stripe Biscuit Sofa

I love the subtle stripe featured on this elegant sofa with nailhead trim. It’s not exactly the ideal sofa for a family with young children, because I doubt the light color would stay that way for very long. But it would probably be great for a single person or childless couple, or for a family with older children. The style is very traditional, but I’ve always been a fan of mixing styles. With the right accessories, like some fun throw pillows, it could easily be used in a contemporary space. You can also get the matching loveseat for $999 and chair for $599.

• Why It’s Green: Made in the U.S. using sustainably harvested hardwoods, soy-based cushions and recycled steel springs and covered in microfiber that is Oeko-Tex 100 certified.
• Price: $1099(aff)

Timucuan Sofa

I’m not sure if I personally like the lines or color of this sofa, but one thing is certain — it will definitely give your room a vibrant, unique vibe. It is a unique interpretation of a classic Charles of London sofa. Covered in chartreuse organic cotton, it features back cushions with a scalloped silhouette and spindly legs with a hand-carved look. It feels eclectic and bohemian, though the tailored pleats along the arms (which identify it as a Charles of London sofa) give it a sophisticated edge. This is a great price for a sofa that is as unique as you are. A matching chair in a neutral stripe is available for $649.

• Why It’s Green: Made In North Carolina using sustainably harvested hardwoods, soy-based cushions and recycled steel springs. It is upholstered in 100% organic cotton canvas, and the fabric mill donates portion of each sale to The Nature Conservancy.
• Price: $1199 (aff)

Captivia Everglades Sofa

If you love all things mid-century modern, this sofa will definitely appeal to your taste. The Captivia Everglades sofa features the clean lines and spindly legs that are so common in mid-century design, along with a vibrant floral pattern that will ensure it is the focal point of your room.  You have to have an adventurous sense of style to be comfortable with a print quite this busy. The matching chair is available for $599.

• Why It’s Green: Made In North Carolina using sustainably harvested hardwoods, soy-based cushions and recycled steel springs. It is upholstered in 100% organic cotton canvas, and the fabric mill donates portion of each sale to The Nature Conservancy. The manufacturer is also a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
• Price: $1199 (aff)

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I have a secret. I hate vacuuming. It is easily one of my least-favorite chores, second only to cleaning the bathroom. I do both, of course, because they need to be done, but I rarely go about it happily. I hate lugging a heavy vacuum around from room to room hoping that the cord will be long enough to reach everywhere without having to switch outlets. It’s just not a fun chore for me. So when Dirt Devil contacted me about their Accucharge cordless stick vac that is also ENERGY STAR approved, I jumped at the chance. After all, a well-decorated home is a clean, well-kept home.

The Accucharge is very lightweight at less than 6 lbs. Just how light is that in real life terms? My 3-year-old uses and lifts it without breaking a sweat. In fact, she wants to vacuum all the time now because it is so easy to use. The cordless, rechargeable feature is easily my favorite. There’s no long cord to lug around, and it’s so small and light that you can literally take it to any room, get under the bed, under tables, etc. with little effort. And it works on carpet as well as bare floors with the flip of a switch. I haven’t used it on bare floors much, but it does a great job on carpet. Not exactly a deep cleaning, but for everyday spills, crumbs, hair, etc., it’s very reliable.

It sits on a charging stand when not in use. You could choose to put it away, but then you’d have to charge it before using it again. The Accucharge is ENERGY STAR approved, meaning that it uses 70% less power than comparable vacs. I was a little skeptical about this since it does sit on the charger while not in use and could very well be using phantom power. However, it apparently has an unseen feature that monitors the power supply. When it is fully charged, the charging unit is designed to vastly reduce power usage. I like the sound of that, but I still wasn’t convinced, so I unplug the unit when I’m not using it and plug it in about a half hour before I need to vacuum.

It provides pretty good suction for a unit of its size. It is very small and will take up only a little more space than your regular broom. And although I have never used this feature, the handle also folds down to allow storage in a smaller space. But speaking of size, that brings me to a couple of issues I have with the Accucharge.

The size of the dirt canister is tiny. The unit sucks dirt up in a cyclone motion that you can see when you’re using it. This results in a swirly pile of dirt that fills up the unit very quickly. I don’t mind emptying once in a while, because the canister is very easy to remove and replace. But if I were trying to vacuum the entire living room and hallway, I could easily imagine having to empty it at least twice. I would have provided my own photos of it in use, but my camera batteries died on me. Guess I need to recharge them too

My second issue is that the charge doesn’t last terribly long. I thought maybe the charge was running out quickly because I wasn’t letting the unit charge long enough before using it. One day, I left it plugged in all morning with plans to use it in the late afternoon. It didn’t make a difference. I was vacuuming only the visible floor area in our small bedroom. The batteries didn’t die completely, but after about 10 minutes, the suction power was considerably reduced. I was able to finish the job, but it took several passes over the same spot once the battery began to lose power.

Lastly, although I certainly appreciate the ENERGY STAR rating, that alone does not a green product make. Maybe the case could have been made of recycled plastic or even corn plastic, or the filters could be biodegradable. One step towards sustainability is definitely a step in the right direction, but I would definitely like to see the next generation of this product take the green commitment a lot further.

Overall, I have to say I still really like the Accucharge. It has become a trusted part of our household cleaning regimen. We use it at least two to three times a week. It has almost completely replaced our full-sized vaccuum, which we now use only about once a month or if there is a really heavy-duty job (like a picture glass frame breaking on the carpet). The Accucharge handles everyday messes with ease, and it actually works well on area rugs without shifting the entire rug. I love the fact that it is cordless and that my daughter loves to use it. Because of this, I may be able to give it up on vacuuming completely and let her take over that chore.

If you ask me, that alone makes it a winner!

Why It’s Green:

• ENERGY STAR approved

Price: $65.99

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Most of you know that my family and I recently moved from Georgia to Tennessee.  We’re currently living in a situation where we rarely have any control over the thermostat. That means two things: It’s always a bit colder in the house than I’m used to, and we have been layering our bedding to make sure we’re warm at night. During the winter, which is a lot colder than I expected here in Tennessee, there’s nothing quite as valuable as a really warm blanket.

Room & Board sent me one of their Eco Blankets to review, and it came at just the right time. We didn’t bring much with us in the way of housewares, so we were really needing some layering blankets. The Eco Blanket was perfect for that. It is made of a blend of 60% merino wool/40% ingeo. Ingeo is a fiber that is made from corn that is being marketed as “the first commercially viable man-made fiber made from 100% annually renewable resources.” I haven’t been able to find tons of information about ingeo, but as soon as I do, I will add it to this post.

In terms of performance, it is definitely warm. But then again, with a wool blend, it would be tough not to be warm. It is a very simple, solid charcoal color. Not the most stylish blanket in the world, but it definitely works as an accent piece. We have been keeping it folded at the foot of the bed and using it at night layered on top of our duvet.

The fabric is definitely not intended to be used as a lone blanket, as it is quite coarse and scratchy. I wouldn’t use it as a throw blanket in the living room or anywhere else. But layered on top of another blanket or a sheet, it works really well, and it will give your bed a professional, well-styled, layered look. You know — the kind you see in home magazines.

In addition to the charcoal that I received, it is available in a charcoal stripe and a slate stripe. Those two are very tailored and stylish and would definitely lend a finished look to your bedding. A matching pillow sham is also available, though I wouldn’t recommend using it on your top pillow. That would probably make for a really itchy night.

Why It’s Green:

• Made of 60% merino wool/40% ingeo, a fabric made from corn

Price: $139-199

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EDITOR’S NOTE: I’ll be offering up a series of product reviews this week. Over the past couple of months, I’ve received some great eco-friendly product samples to test, so I want to catch up on those this week. You’ll learn about great eco-friendly bedding, artwork and even a vaccuum cleaner, and I’ll be giving my honest opinion of the products. I’ll also be posting giveaways of some of these products, so don’t miss anything!

My husband thinks I’m crazy. I’ve decided that I don’t want to have a single item in our home (whenever we get one of our own) that isn’t eco-friendly in some way. And I mean that. From furniture to bedding, art, appliances and tableware, I want everything to reflect my passion for sustainability.  Keep in mind that there are many definitions of green. Some of those products might be bought used, repurposed from our existing furniture, come from local sources, be made with sustainable materials, etc.  But they must all be green in some way.

I understand that most people aren’t quite as passionate about this as I am. Many folks will take the greening of their homes in baby steps. If there’s one area of your home I truly believe should be eco-friendly, it’s your bed. You don’t have to sleep on sheets that are potentially loaded with pesticides or toxic dyes and inks. There are lots of sustainable options, and they are becoming more widely available and therefore more easy to find.

I recently had the opportunity to try Luxur-ECO’s 100% bamboo sheets. Before I break down my thoughts, I have one thing to say: they are incredible!

If you have never slept on bamboo sheets, you don’t know what you are missing. They are truly the softest, most luxurious, breathable sheets we have ever owned. I’m not over-exaggerating.  Before I knew anything about green living, we used to like the feel of satin sheets. However, we hated slipping and sliding all over the bed every time we moved, and they got pretty cold in the winter.

If you like the glossy look of satin, bamboo is a great, sustainable substitute. Bamboo bedding has a subtle glossy finish. It’s not as reflective as satin, but it has a nice sheen, and they are much, much softer than traditional cotton. And the great thing about bamboo sheets is that they are naturally antimicrobial, so they are great for people who have allergies or other health concerns.

They didn’t shift throughout the night like a lot of sheets tend to do, and the size was just right to give me a nice snug fit on a queen-sized bed. If nothing else, I know we’ll be using these bamboo sheets a whole lot. They were awesome!

If I were going to shell out more than $100 for a new set of sheets, I would definitely put these on a list of finalists. The quality, fit and feel are great, and you will not regret making your bedroom more eco-friendly. Trust me on that. They are available in twin and queen in a natural color (off-white).

Why It’s Green:

• Made of 100% bamboo
• No chemical dyes added
• Naturally antimicrobial

Price: $135.47

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It’s been a while since I have posted about something with a bird motif. Too long, if you ask me. I can’t help it — I am just drawn to the little critters by some unknown force. Thankfully for me, there’s no shortage of eco-friendly art featuring friendly birdies. These Bird Collages by Petite Flaneur would be welcome in my home any day. Just don’t tell my husband that. He’s not quite as fond of the birdies as I am.

These one-of-a-kind collages are built using reclaimed wood with Amy Butler fabrics, and they are colorful, festive and whimsical — just the way I like them. They are designed for kids rooms, but there’s no age limit on art, is there? There are several styles and sizes to choose from, all available from Saplings, an awesome Canadian shop that sells a variety of eco-friendly kids’ decor.

So am I the only one out there with an obsession for bird shapes, silhouettes and motifs? Please tell me I’m not so I don’t feel like a complete freak

Why It’s Green:

• Handmade
• Built with reclaimed wood veneer

Price: $40-100

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It warms my heart to find companies with a conscience, particularly independent ones. For companies just starting out, I know it can be tempting to go with the cheapest materials and follow only the most lenient standards, and many companies do just that. That makes the ones who take the time to create quality, safer products stand out from the crowd even more.

EKLA HOME is one of those companies, and their Box Sectional is an example of sustainable design at its best. Designed in 3 separate pieces with an available ottoman, this sectional takes green to new heights, with every single part of its construction done with concern not only for the environment, but for the craftsmen charged with creating it. This comes at a price, to be sure, but I believe it is well worth the cost. Because it is sold in separate pieces, you can buy only the pieces you want or can afford and use them to create your own unique seating arrangement.

My infatuation doesn’t end at the construction. The clean, boxy design is the stuff of my modern dreams. We have always dreamed of having a living room large enough to fit a U-shaped sectional. We all love to lay on the sofa watching movies and having family time, so having one that is large enough for all of us to lay on comfortably would be ideal. Even though that dream living room is still a bit out of reach, I know what sectional we’ll be using to furnish it.

Why It’s Green:

• Upholstery fabric is 100% organic cotton
• A wide variety of green upholstery fabrics are available, incuding organic cotton, hemp, organic wool and eco-friendly blends
• Constructed of natural rubber, 100% organic, U.S.-grown and milled wool and a 100% organic cotton barrier cloth
• Frame and legs made of FSC-certified alder wood
• Built with recycled steel springs and finished with Safecoat no-VOC stain

Price: $1950-2190 per section

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I like the idea of being able to go green in every room in my home, from the kitchen to the bathroom and everything in between. In my home office (more of a work area right now), part of that is going paperless whenever possible. I also repurposed a utility table to use as a desk. But the major green work solution? My gorgeous Amia chair by Steelcase.

A few months ago, I featured the Amia for its features on paper. It really looked to be the ultimate in sustainable design: Gold Cradle to Cradle certification for indoor air quality, 97% recyclable, it can contribute to your home’s LEED certification…the list goes on. But, I wondered, how would this chair stand up to real use?

Steelcase sent me a chair to use and review, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. I wanted to delay the review a bit so I could get to use the chair for a while and see how it really feels. I knew it would be a huge step up from the cheap rolling office chair I had bought a few years back that was literally falling apart. The entire back fell off every time I made a sudden move, and the mechanisms that made the chair move up and down worked occasionally, at best.

Functionality

From day 1, the Amia improved my work environment. My lower back didn’t hurt nearly as much at the end of the day. After a few weeks, it didn’t hurt at all (though my shoulders were still tense at the end of the day). Every part of the chair is adjustable, so you can make it fit your individual body, height and needs:

• ARMS: You can slide the arms forward and back and rotate them for optimal comfort, and you can also adjust their height.
• SEAT: In addition to adjusting seat height, you can adjust its depth, sliding it forward and backward to conform to your posture.
• BACK: There is a LiveLumbar support cushion inside the back that can be moved up and down for extra support where you need it most. The entire back can also be leaned backward or positioned upright, and you can adjust the tension.
• WHEELS: I opted for the standard carpet casters, but they rolled easily on both carpet and bare floor.

Style

If you’re looking for a work chair that is both functional and stylish, this is it. The Amia chair is minimal and clean. I choose the green fabric, but there are lots of other colors to choose from, so it isn’t tough to make it match your decor. I also chose the platinum frame since I’m not very fond of black. This is just enough to make it feel modern and unassuming — two qualities that can’t be ascribed to very many work chairs.

Though I may eventually change the fabric if when I get tired of the green, this may very well be the last work chair I ever own.

Verdict

If you’re in the market for a new work chair and you can afford to spend a couple hundred bucks, you will not be disappointed by the Amia. It is comfortable, adjustable in all the right places, and stylish enough to fit in with your office decor without sticking out like a sore thumb.

And did I mention it’s Green? It’s eco-qualities are too numerous to mention more than once, so see the “Why It’s Green” list below. The Amia gets an A+ in my book, and I resoundingly recommend it.

Why It’s Green:

• All materials in the Amia chair were required to pass materials chemistry analysis by MBDC, an independent organization that tests each substance for safety to human and environmental health
• Chair is 98% recyclable by weight and the use of inseparable mixed materials was avoided to make recycling easier
• Amia earned the Gold Cradle to Cradle™ Product Certification from MBDC for using environmentally safe and renewable materials
• Amia has Indoor Advantage™ Gold certification for protecting indoor air quality, so it may help contribute toward earning LEED credits for your home
• Should you decide to resell, donate or recycle your Amia chair someday, the Steelcase Environmental Partnership program can help connect you with ways to do that

Price: $599-664 (aff)

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I love interesting chairs. While I doubt that I would put six of them around a dining table, they are a great way to add a little bit of flavor to an otherwise traditional or unextraordinary room. In fact, if you are looking for a bit transformation with a smallish budget, an awesome chair is a great investment.

This Bamboo “S” Chair from Uncommon Goods is a great candidate. With a curvy shape that is sure to stop traffic, it may be just the spice your room needs to go from bland to grand. Handmade of strips of natural bamboo, I absolutely love the dark wood color. It has a modern look with a bit of an Asian influence — very much the type of chair you might find at the head of the dining table or in a reading corner in my house.

Why It’s Green:

• Handmade of sustainable bamboo

Price: $280 (aff)

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One of my favorite things to do is scour the web for before and after photos of used furniture. Anyone who can take a chair or table they’ve found in the trash that has clearly seen better days and turn it into something beautiful deserves kudos, in my book. I have lofty dreams of being able to do the same, but have yet to put those thoughts into action. I’ve been wanting to find a used coffee table I can turn into an upholstered bench for a long time, so I’ve been searching for some inspiration. Viva Terra always manages to deliver.

These gorgeous Suzani Benches are as green as it gets, with their sustainable wood frames, organic cotton fabric and eco-friendly dyes. The beautiful pattern is inspired by the needlework found on tribal textiles in places like Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries. The bench is available in 2 sizes, depending on how you intend to use it. The larger bench could be used as a coofee table with the addition of a storage tray, and it would make great additional seating if you like to entertain. The smaller bench would be great at the foot of a bed,and its narrower footprint means it won’t take up needed walking space.

Even if a little afraid of patterns, you can add this to a room full of solid colors to add instant personality. Add a couple of matching pillows, and you’ve got yourself a room!

Why It’s Green:

• Made of sustainable sheesham wood
• Upholstered in organic cotton
• Uses eco-friendly dyes

Price: $395-895 (aff)

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