Best of Green Awards 2021: Celebrating Eco-Friendly Decor and Design
Discover the most innovative and planet-friendly home decor brands and products that set new standards for eco-conscious living in 2021.
Best of Green Awards 2021: Eco-Friendly Decor and Design
The Best of Green Awards 2021 by Treehugger honors outstanding achievements in eco-friendly interior design and decor. These awards spotlight brands and products that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, responsible sourcing, and innovation for a healthier planet. This year, the focus moved beyond aesthetics to highlight transparent materials, circularity, fair manufacturing, and minimal impact on the environment. Whether it’s furniture, lighting, bedding, or clever gadgets, every winner sets an inspiring benchmark for eco-conscious living.
Why Eco Decor Matters
- Reduces resource consumption by favoring sustainable materials and energy-efficient production methods.
- Minimizes waste via circular design, upcycling, and recyclability.
- Supports ethical labor with fair manufacturing and transparent supply chains.
- Prioritizes healthy indoor environments through non-toxic finishes and renewable resources.
Leading the Way: Brands and Products Making a Difference
Below are this year’s most notable eco-friendly decor and furnishing winners, recognized for their outstanding environmental and social commitment. Each category highlights the criteria Treehugger values most: material sustainability, lifespan, fair labor, circularity, and responsible shipping.
Best Overall Eco Decor Brand
Avocado
- Avocado stands out for its comprehensive sustainability approach—from organic and recycled materials to climate-neutral manufacturing and fair labor practices.
- Certified B Corp, meaning it meets high standards for social and environmental performance.
- Offers a wide range of products, including mattresses, bedding, pillows, and furniture, all crafted with transparency and minimal footprint.
Best Furniture: Upholstered & Solid Wood
Medley
- Uses FSC-certified solid wood and organic latex, wool, and cotton in every piece.
- Custom-made furniture is designed for longevity, repairability, and end-of-life recycling.
- Prioritizes non-toxic adhesives, stains, and close-to-zero-VOC finishes to create safe indoor air quality.
Emeco
- Legendary for its “Navy Chair,” made from recycled aluminum and designed to last for generations.
- Emeco advances circularity by using recycled PET, cork, and sustainable materials in its newer lines.
Best Lighting & Gadgets
Bitti Gitti Wooden Sound System
- This clever gadget uses the natural resonance of wood to amplify sound—no external power or batteries needed.
- Handmade from birch and designed to increase volume by 25 dB without consuming any energy.
- Constructed with eco-friendly, non-toxic materials and built to be upcycled or recycled after use.
- Packed and shipped in sustainable materials. Fair labor and conscientious manufacturing are at the company’s core values.
Best Bedding & Textiles
Boll & Branch
- Leader in organic, fair-trade certified cotton bedding.
- Prioritizes transparency from farm to manufacturing—ensuring no harmful chemicals, dyes, or bleach in its linens.
- Works directly with farmers to ensure ethical sourcing and supports traceable supply chains.
What others are reading
Best Rugs & Carpets
The Citizenry
- Partners with artisan communities globally for handwoven rugs.
- Uses natural fibers, plant-based dyes, and time-honored crafting techniques, minimizing environmental impact.
- Supports fair labor, transparency, and reinvestment in artisan economies.
Best Paints and Wall Coverings
Clare Paint
- Offers zero-VOC paints made with sustainable pigments and recycled containers.
- Transparent ingredient disclosure and low-impact shipping practices.
- Committed to making healthy, eco-friendly wall finishes accessible to all.
Criteria for Eco Decor Selection
Treehugger’s evaluation framework for the Best of Green Awards ensures that every honored product or brand meets rigorous sustainability benchmarks:
| Criterion | Importance |
|---|---|
| Sustainable & Non-Toxic Materials | Reduces harmful impact and supports healthier indoor spaces |
| Durability & Longevity | Products are built to last and designed for repair or recycling |
| Circularity | Encourages upcycling, easy disassembly, and return-to-maker |
| Fair Labor | Transparency in labor practices and protection of workers’ rights |
| Low-Impact Manufacturing | Minimal pollution, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing |
| Responsible Packaging | Plastic reduction, recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging |
Spotlight: Noteworthy Product Innovations
- Wooden Sound System by Bitti Gitti sets the tone for zero-energy audio solutions, harnessing natural acoustics for a unique auditory experience.
- Emeco’s Navy Chair endures as the gold standard for long-lasting, recycled design, with new collections incorporating PET and cork.
- Clare’s paint removes VOCs from your living space, giving you vibrant color choices without compromising indoor air quality.
- The Citizenry revitalizes textile traditions to deliver rugs that support fair trade and harness biodegradable, plant-based fibers.
Eco Decor Trends Observed in 2021
- Transparency: Companies publicly document their sustainability goals, ingredient lists, and supply chain steps.
- Circular Design: Focus on creating products that can be easily repaired, recycled, or returned at end of life.
- Low Energy and Waste Reduction: From manufacturing to shipping, brands minimize resource consumption and carbon footprint.
- Local & Ethical Sourcing: Increased preference for locally sourced materials and support of artisan communities.
- Zero-Waste Packaging: Moving toward compostable or fully recyclable boxes, bags, and fillers.
How to Choose Eco Decor: Buyer’s Guide
When selecting decor for your home, these guidelines can help align your purchases with your values and minimize environmental impact:
- Look for third-party certifications like FSC for wood, GOTS for textiles, or GREENGUARD for low emissions.
- Prioritize products with clear ingredient labels and traceable supply chains.
- Choose items designed for repair, upcycling, or recycling at end-of-life rather than disposal.
- Support brands that publicly commit to ethical labor and climate goals.
- Opt for durable and modular designs that can evolve with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What distinguishes eco decor from regular home decor?
Eco decor uses renewable or recycled materials, avoids toxic chemicals, supports fair labor, and is designed with environmental longevity in mind. It values resource conservation and minimal impact over fast fashion or short-lived trends.
Is eco-friendly decor more expensive?
While some eco-friendly products carry a premium due to responsible sourcing and fair labor, many sustainable brands offer competitive pricing, especially considering longevity and reduced replacement costs.
Where can I find certified eco-friendly materials or furnishings?
Look for certifications like FSC (wood), GOTS (textiles), GREENGUARD (indoor air), and B Corp (complete brand commitments). Most winning brands like Avocado, Boll & Branch, or Medley display these on their websites and products.
Can sustainable decor really make an impact?
Yes. By choosing products that prioritize the environment and fair treatment of people, you help transform supply chains and encourage broader industry change, reducing waste and pollution at every stage.
How do I know if a company is truly sustainable, not just greenwashing?
Reputable brands share detailed info about materials, manufacturing processes, labor standards, and transparency in goals and progress. Third-party audits and certifications are additional assurances.
Join the Movement: Why Treehugger’s Awards Matter
Treehugger’s Best of Green Awards empower consumers, designers, and manufacturers to make informed choices that align with the values of health, transparency, and sustainability. By showcasing brands with proven commitments and creative approaches to reducing impact, these awards spark progress toward a regenerative future for homes and communities around the world.
Top Takeaways for Conscious Decor Shopping
- Prioritize sustainability and transparency in every purchase.
- Seek certifications and traceable origin stories.
- Favor modular, durable, and repairable goods for long-term use.
- Support artisans and communities practicing ethical labor.
- Aim for items with minimal packaging and the lowest possible carbon footprint.
Resources & Further Reading
- Learn about sustainable design practices and material certifications.
- Visit Treehugger’s reviews and guides for the latest innovation in eco-living.
- Explore how you can make everyday choices that build a healthier home and planet.
References
- https://www.greenawards.ie/2021-winners
- https://www.bitti-gitti.com/news/best-of-green-awards-2021
- https://ecoboo.net/blogs/sustainability-spotlight/treehugger
- https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59e0933f64b05f417c54dfc8/t/65787e8302afb042ed788cd9/1702395523251/brawer_resume12-23.pdf
- https://thegreencocoon.com/author/candacelord/page/8/
- https://www.empowermentnow.org/resources
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