Sustainable Scandinavian Design

I usually throw away the myriad catalogs that make their way to my mailbox with the exception of one: IKEA.

For years, IKEA has been lauded as the place to find cheap and sleek design elements for your home, from tabletop tchachkies to furniture suited for spaces of all sizes. But IKEA is not just a place to find furniture that is difficult to pronounce. They are a leader in the arena of sustainable decorating, starting from the way their items (and foodstuffs) are created.

Some of their furniture is created from recycled plastic. What was once garbage is turned into stylish and sleek pieces of furniture. IKEA also upcycles their unused fabrics into new textiles and pillowcases. Even the coffee served at each of their in-store cafes is sourced directly from smaller farmers in central-and-south America.