You’ve been living green and making eco-friendly lifestyle swaps. But still: Sustainable furniture might conjure up connotations of “expensive,” “hard to find,” or “limited in style.” Many eco-conscious shoppers assume that going green means paying a premium or settling for a look that doesn’t fit their aesthetic. But, fortunately, that’s not the reality.
We’re here to set the record straight about eco-friendly furniture options. At CORT Furniture Outlet, our approach is rooted in a circular model—Rent, Return, Repeat, Refurbish, Repurpose—that helps reduce waste, extend product lifespan, and support smarter consumption. Sustainable furniture isn’t just high-end brands and reclaimed wood. Nope. Furnishing your home sustainably is about making smart, long-term choices that reduce waste, prioritize durability, and offer affordability.
Furnishing your home with sustainability and cost-consciousness in mind is possible, and it’s likely more accessible than you’d think! The key to sourcing sustainable finds? It isn’t necessarily buying new, expensive “eco-friendly” pieces but choosing furniture built to last.
We’ll break down the biggest sustainable furniture myths and explore why shopping smarter, not just new, is the best way to furnish your home.
The Cost Myth: Does Sustainable Furniture Have to Be Expensive?
If you search for sustainable furniture, you might find yourself asking: “Why is everything so expensive?” The truth is that some furniture brands position sustainability as a luxury, with hefty price tags to match. It’s also true that some eco-conscious pieces are handcrafted from responsibly sourced materials, which can drive up costs. But sustainability doesn’t have to be exclusive to high-end shoppers.
One of the most affordable ways to shop sustainably is by choosing previously owned or leased furniture. By shopping secondhand, whether thrifting or through resellers, you save money, give furniture a second life, and reduce waste. In short, instead of paying for new production costs and retail markups, you’re making a smart financially- and environmentally-friendly choice.
At CORT Furniture Outlet, our circular model helps keep over 95% of our furniture out of landfills each year. We extend the lifespan of CORT Furniture Rental’s previously leased high-quality furniture by offering it at a fraction of its original price.
These aren’t worn-out, secondhand-find items—they’re CORT Certified™ professionally maintained pieces meticulously inspected, refreshed, graded, and deemed worthy of resale. Each item is rented two to six times over three to four years, then cleaned, refurbished, and prepared for resale—ensuring a second (or third) life for quality furnishings.
The Fast Furniture Debate: Quality Isn’t Tied to Price
Much like fast fashion, fast furniture is often associated with mass-produced, lower-cost pieces designed for short-term use.
While the affordability of fast furniture is appealing, the downside is that some of these pieces aren’t built for longevity. When materials are lower in quality or construction is rushed, furniture can break and wear out quickly, contributing to the growing issue of furniture waste in landfills.
But here’s the thing—not all fast furniture is poorly made, and not all high-end furniture is built to last.
Some affordable brands produce well-designed, durable pieces, while certain designer brands focus more on aesthetics than longevity. The key to sustainability and finding long-lasting furniture isn’t just avoiding fast furniture altogether—it’s knowing what to look for and what to avoid when furniture shopping. That’s why choosing pre-leased furniture can be such a smart alternative.
At CORT Furniture Outlet, our pieces are designed for durability and have already been vetted in real-world settings. We invest 30–40% more in furniture construction to ensure durability, longevity, and cleanability—each item is built to CORT Construction Standards™. Before being sold in our Outlet stores, each item is inspected and refurbished to ensure quality, meaning you get furniture built to last—without the uncertainty of whether it will hold up over time.
The Quality Question: How Can You Tell if Furniture Is Built to Last?
A common misconception is that sustainability means sacrificing durability. In reality, well-made furniture—regardless of price—should be built to withstand daily life. The problem isn’t just “cheap” furniture; it’s disposable furniture, whether budget-friendly or high-end.
Some brands prioritize trends and aesthetics over longevity, even at premium prices. A $10,000 designer couch may have stunning upholstery but a weak frame, while a more affordable, well-constructed sofa could last for years. That’s why focusing on craftsmanship is important.
Pre-leased furniture offers an advantage here. Since CORT Furniture Outlet pieces have already been used and maintained in rental spaces, they’ve passed the durability test. Whether a sofa or a nightstand, every CORT Furniture Outlet item is professionally inspected before being resold, ensuring that you get furniture built to handle life’s rigors.
In fact, every previously-leased piece is rented, cleaned, and refurbished multiple times before it ever reaches a CORT Furniture Outlet location—meaning you’re getting a product that has proven itself in real-world use.
Remember: Choosing long-lasting furniture isn’t about avoiding affordability or chasing luxury—it’s about recognizing quality where it exists.
The Style Factor: Can Sustainable Furniture Be Trendy?
Another common myth is that sustainable furniture is all about earthy tones, rustic wood, and a minimalist aesthetic. While those styles are certainly part of the eco-friendly movement, they’re far from the only options. Sustainability doesn’t have to limit your choices; it expands them.
At CORT Furniture Outlet, our inventory includes a variety of styles, from sleek modern designs to timeless classics. Whether you love mid-century modern, industrial, or traditional decor, you can find sustainable furniture that fits your taste.
Shopping sustainably also means thinking long-term about style. Instead of chasing trends that may go out of fashion in a few years, investing in well-crafted, versatile pieces allows you to refresh your space without constantly replacing furniture. Our Product Development Team stays on top of evolving design trends, ensuring that our furniture reflects timeless design and current aesthetics–meaning you can love our styles both now and for years to come.
Find Sustainability Without Sacrifice at CORT Furniture Outlet
Sustainable furniture isn’t just for high-end designers or environmental activists—it’s for anyone who wants to furnish their home in a cost-effective, durable, and stylish way. The best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
At CORT Furniture Outlet, we don’t just sell furniture—we help reduce waste, extend product life cycles, and support smarter consumption through our proven circular business model. We’re committed to helping folks find a path towards sustainability–and to expanding access to quality furniture and decor you can trust. By choosing from our selection of new and previously leased furniture, you get high-quality, professionally maintained pieces at an affordable price. You’re not just saving money—you’re making a choice that benefits the planet by reducing waste and extending the life of well-made furniture.
See for yourself how sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand. Shop smart, live sustainably—explore our inventory online or in-store today and see how easy it is to furnish your home with style, quality, and responsibility.
