Furniture plays a central role in our living spaces. By combining aesthetics and functionality, furniture makes our daily lives easier. It is no coincidence that building biology gives furniture a special place. What good are healthy homes if they contain furniture contaminated with harmful substances? Likewise, what good is the concept of sustainability if furniture becomes bulky waste after just a few years?

What to look for in furniture

From a building biology perspective, several criteria must be considered when buying furniture. Since it is often impossible to meet all the criteria, the following recommendations should be viewed as a guide and source of inspiration. 

• The lower the emissions from materials, the better the indoor air quality. Therefore, chemical additives should be avoided whenever possible. Furniture manufacturers often do not provide complete ingredient lists, especially for adhesives and surface coatings. When in doubt, opt for furniture made from truly natural materials. Our Q&A section, „Which materials are suitable for furniture and kitchens?,“ discusses materials recommended by building biology in detail.
• Instead of buying disposable furniture, choose high-quality, durable pieces with a timeless design, such as individual pieces of furniture or built-in cabinets. After all, it is better to use pictures, plants, small decorative objects, and artifacts to add fashionable accents and variety.
• The term „furniture“ comes from the Latin word mobilia, which means „moveable object.“ Therefore, by definition, furniture can be moved and rearranged, except for built-in furniture. When making a selection, consider if the furniture can be disassembled for moving, if the parts can be interchanged for repairs or replacing fronts, and if the furniture is modular and can be expanded by buying additional pieces.
• In the commercial sector, rented furniture is available. Furthermore, an increasing number of take-back programs exist, through which used furniture is reused or recycled. The secondhand and antiques markets also often offer good alternatives that align with the principles of the circular economy.
• The furniture market has also become globalized. Often, it is not clear where individual pieces come from or what working conditions they are manufactured under. In such cases, it is better to choose furniture produced locally or regionally under safe and fair working conditions. Every furniture purchase sends a message, either supporting industrial methods and processes or traditional regional craftsmanship and small designers.

True craftsmanship

The annual national competition, „Die Gute Form,“ showcases the immense talent of furniture makers. It honors the finest creations of each graduating class of journey-level furniture makers and joiners. The competition gives aspiring journeywomen and journeymen the chance to showcase their craftsmanship and design skills.

1 National champion David Schaab, coffee machine shelf – ash, stainless steel
2 Finn Goerke, „Kukka“ sideboard – silver fir, multiplex plywood, copper
3 Kim Justus Grünthaler, round desk – ash, linoleum
4 Decker Lina, upholstered lounge – elm, fabric made from recycled PET bottles
5 Juergensen Jakob, highboard – oak, oak veneer, solid surface countertop
6 Reddoehl Paula, sideboard – ash, variegated slate
7 Herr Annika, sewing sideboard – walnut
8 Reiter Markus, exhibition piece “Otto” – apple, handmade paper, solid surface countertop

David Schaab’s winning entry from 2025, the Coffee Machine Shelf, is made entirely of solid ash and stainless steel. This delicate piece of furniture is intelligently designed and highly functional. Third place went to Finn Goerke for his sideboard made of silver fir, multiplex plywood, and copper. It combines a display and storage piece with modern lighting technology in a playful way.

Lena Decker won the Audience Award for her upholstered lounge chair. She writes, „I wanted to design an extraordinary piece of furniture that would stand out from traditional craftsmanship. A visit to the Vitra Museum inspired me to bring the design to life exactly as I envisioned it, without compromise. Traditional wood joints are a central element of the design. I wanted to showcase the versatility and precision of craftsmanship and demonstrate how unique and vibrant this skilled trade is.”

This impressive exhibition showcases the exceptional quality and versatility of handcrafted furniture.