Super Eco

Photo credit: Furnicology

Ahhh—you're finally home at the end of a long day. Time to flip off your shoes, pour a tall one and flop down on the nice, soft VOCs and toxic foam rubber, fabric coatings, adhesives and varnishes.

Or not. Ugh.

If you haven't made savvy green choices, the furniture you live your life on can be a major source of toxic, offgassing nastiness. So much for the safe haven of home, eh? Reupholstering your furniture can help you get rid of the bad stuff—but first, you need to figure out where the problems lie. The folks over at Green Your Decor (showcasing hip, modern eco-decor—check it out!) have definitely lived up to their name by offering up this recommended reading that'll do the heavy lifting for you: Furnicology. "Their goal is much like the goals of Green Your Decor," writes GYD, "to educate the consumer about what makes a product or a manufacturer green, how to weigh the pros and cons of a purchase, and how to ultimately decide for yourself how green is green enough."

Furnicology is like a basic course in what makes furniture sustainable and green.

• sustainable design dictionary
• diagrams and explanations
• tips-filled blog
• online community for sharing ideas

But let's get back to flopping down on the couch at the end of that long, hard day. No energy to refinish your furniture on your own? The good news is, any upholsterer can do the work, as long as you're clear about what to ask for. Clue in with sites like Furnicology and Green Home Guide. And enjoy a well-deserved rest in your eco-friendly armchair!