Furniture

There are currently many types of sofa on the market, each with a different function and style, such as corner sofas, two, three or four-seater sofas, Chaise Longues and sofa beds. The latter, over the years, has become an ally of many homes that do not have enough space and thanks to the sofa bed can expand the number of places to sleep in a house, without the need to always have beds available. 

Buying a sofa bed is not a simple choice, as you have to take into account some key aspects that will help you decide which one is the best according to your needs and those of your home. At Pau, a pioneering company in sustainable furniture, we want to help you with your choice of sofa bed, so in this post we tell you what types of sofa bed exist and which ones you can choose for your home. Don’t miss it!

What is a sofa bed

A sofa bed is a very versatile and polyvalent piece of furniture that combines the function of a seat during the day and a bed at night, making it easy to make the most of the space in a home. This type of sofa is perfect for homes that do not have much space to occupy with beds as well as to place in small rooms or as auxiliary furniture to welcome guests at certain times.

These sofas have a metal frame that holds the mattress and folds down to store it under the seat cushions, which are very easy to remove. The size of the mattress included in these sofas is somewhat smaller than that of a conventional bed,  although you can find sofa beds of one, one and a half or two seats. 


[Find out what types of sofa bed mechanisms you can choose for your sustainable sofa]

Advantages of using sofa beds

Opting for a sofa bed for your home has a number of advantages over a conventional sofa, for example:

Saves space

Perhaps the main advantage of sofa beds is space saving: whether you live in a small flat or the rooms in your house do not have enough square metres, or if you have ample space but do not want to sacrifice it with normal beds. In both cases the sofa bed is a great solution, because after it has been tidied up the room will be tidy. 

Comfort first and foremost

The fact that it is not a real bed does not mean that the sofa bed is not comfortable, quite the contrary. Nowadays, thanks to advances in the furniture sector, a sofa bed can be just as comfortable as a bed, you just have to know how to choose the right one.

Perfect for your guests

The sofa bed is perfect for hosting family members or guests at home without the need for a large number of beds. So, if at any given moment you need someone to stay at your home, you only have to unfold the sofa and turn it into a bed.

It is very versatile

Sofa beds are very versatile products as they can be used in different ways in the same room thanks to the different sizes available on the market. Moreover, nowadays, they have modern and attractive designs, which have nothing to do with the old sofa beds of a few years ago. 

Easy to open and close

Thanks to the development of furniture technology, opening and closing a sofa bed is nowadays something very simple and quick to do, allowing us to move from the sofa to the bed in a very short time. Moreover, they are light products that can be moved around the room without any problem and can even be moved from one room to another.

Types of sofa beds

When we talk about the types of sofa beds, we refer to the type of opening mechanism of the sofas, as the quality, durability and functionality of the sofa will depend on it. Thus, the wide variety of types of sofa beds gives us the possibility to always choose the one that best suits our needs, being able to choose between:

Single opening or book mode

The sofa bed with a book-style opening is one of the most popular because of the ease with which it can be unfolded. It consists of two mattresses arranged like the covers of an open book joined by a seam or zip, one mattress being the backrest and the other the seat.

Accordion opening

The accordion opening is one of the simplest and most functional. The sofa opens directly on the floor and extends to become a bed. It is the most economical type of opening.

Dolphin style opening

It is called a dolphin style opening because the movement it makes is similar to that of dolphins when they come out of the water. These sofa beds have a chest for storage and are very easy and simple to transform. It has a removable part that allows a practical and precise grip turning it into a double bed. 

Italian opening

The name comes from the fact that the mechanism incorporated in these sofa beds was developed in Italy. The Italian opening uses a double folding of its seats which allows you to store the bed already made, saving not only space but also time. This model pulls out from the inside out, expanding its metal base to transform it into a bed.

Chaise Longue sofa bed

In the case of the Chaise Longue, the longest part of the sofa is usually reserved for storage, but the rest of the sofa can be moved to form a large family bed in no time at all. 

How to choose your ideal sofa bed

Before you start buying a sofa bed, you should analyse what your needs are. This way you will be able to define the basic aspects you should look for when choosing the perfect sofa bed. 

Some of those points to pay attention to when buying a sofa bed are:

Frequency of use

Before choosing one type of sofa bed or another, it is essential to know what to use and how often we are going to use it. If it is for occasional use, a thin mattress and a bed base will be enough. On the other hand, if the idea is to be used continuously, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality and comfort of the mattress and the slatted base as well as the consistency of the structure.

Which type of opening is the most suitable

If it is going to be used on a daily basis, the best option is an Italian opening type that allows it to be dismantled every morning with the bed made and ready for the night. The book-opening sofa is also a good option because it can be opened and closed in an instant.

Location of the sofa bed

If the sofa bed is always going to be in the same place, we can choose any type of sofa, always taking into account the space in the room. On the other hand, if we want to move it from one room to another, it is best to opt for a sofa bed with wheels, which will allow us to move it around more comfortably.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to take into account the place where it is going to be placed, since it is necessary to leave enough space to be able to open and close it comfortably and without obstructing the passage. 

Measurements of the sofa bed

Depending on the space we have available, we will have to choose a sofa bed with different measurements. This will also determine the number of people who can sit and sleep on it. You can choose between single, double or triple sofa beds, for example. 

Pau, sustainable sofa beds

At Pau we adapt to the news of our customers, which is why we have incorporated bed mechanisms in several of the models in our catalogue.

So, some of the sofas that can be converted into a bed include: Baltic, Uppsala, Archie, Dress, Harry, Pierce, Urban, Stetson or Shaheen, for example. It is important to emphasise that the aesthetics of the sofa can change when incorporating the bed mechanism, as the entire base must be raised and the thickness of the seat cushion reduced in order to hide everything.

If you want to know more about the Pau sofa beds or any other product, do not hesitate to consult our specialists, they will be delighted to help you. 

Furniture

Sofas and armchairs are one of the places where we spend the most time at home. Specifically, figures show that we each spend an average of 3 hours a day on the sofa either watching TV, reading or enjoying some family time. So, it is normal that choosing the most comfortable armchair for a home is a complicated task that not only implies that we look at the price, but we must also take into account other aspects that will lead us to get the sofa of our dreams.


If you are thinking of changing your armchair but do not know which one to buy, we recommend you to keep reading this post in which we give you the keys to choose elegant and comfortable armchairs for your home.

The best armchair for your home

Sometimes, there are so many options we have when choosing the ideal armchair that it is difficult to know how to choose the most suitable for us. In addition, when buying an armchair or sofa, we must not only take into account our preferences but also other aspects such as: the place where we are going to place it in the living room or the decorative style of the set.


Therefore, before choosing the best armchair, it is very important that you determine the use you are going to give to the sofa, only in this way you will be able to buy the best armchair for your home.

How to choose the most comfortable armchair

When purchasing a new armchair, it is very important to invest in a good quality piece that will last for as many years as possible.

The most important characteristics to look for when buying an armchair are that it should be comfortable, functional, of high quality and in accordance with the aesthetics of our home.

Measure the available space

Before buying, it is necessary to know the space available and the area of the room where the armchair will be placed. It is necessary to choose furniture that fits the living room, for this you have to measure the available space, taking into account the height and width of the armchair.


If the space is wide you can opt for wider armchairs with wide arms. If, on the other hand, you have a smaller space, the best option would be individual or smaller armchairs. It is necessary to know how to take advantage of the space to get an adequate environment to our needs.

Comfort first and foremost

If there is one thing a new chair should provide, it is comfort. There is no point in having a big, beautiful or expensive armchair if it is not really comfortable. Therefore, it is very important that when buying armchairs we can try them in a store, touch them and check that they are what we are looking for.

But how do you know if an armchair is comfortable?

• Your hips should never be deeper than your knees so that you can stand up easily.
• If we lean our back against the backrest, our feet should reach the floor.
• When sitting, the edge of the seat should not press against the back of the knee.
• You must be able to rest your arms on the armrest and the armrest must be at elbow height.

Quality and durable structure

For a sofa to be comfortable it must have a good structure, which is neither too hard nor too soft, and the backrest must be softer than the seat part.

The structure or the base of the armchair is recommended to be as resistant as possible, in this way we ensure that it will last more years. One of the most resistant materials is solid wood, like the one we use in Pau for the manufacture of our armchairs and sofas. You can also use a metallic structure made of steel or aluminum.

On the other hand, in addition to the wooden structure, to achieve elegant and comfortable armchairs, the structure itself must have a system of straps or zigzag springs to support the weight of the cushions. As for the legs, they must be resistant, being part of the structure of the sofa and not screwed, since the latter are more insecure and break more easily.

Resistant upholstery and padding

Another element to look for when choosing elegant and comfortable armchairs is the upholstery and padding.

Fabrics and padding not only determine the style of the chair itself but are also important because they ensure comfort, quality and easy maintenance.

So you can choose fabric, linen, cotton or leather upholstery. That is why in Pau, we bet on quality while respecting the environment, choosing 100% natural linen upholstery that is more resistant to stains and better withstand color fading.

Colors according to your style

Light-colored armchairs combine perfectly with all kinds of accessories such as blankets, curtains or cushions and give a feeling of more spaciousness to the room. Their main disadvantage is that dirt is noticed much earlier than in a dark one.

Plain upholstery, without patterns or prints, is also more advisable since it is not tiring to the eye and, like light colors, is easier to combine with other decorative elements.

Sustainable armchairs, the new trend

Respect for the environment is increasingly present in our lives and at Pau we are aware of this. For this reason, we manufacture sustainable armchairs with recycled material or that comes from natural sources, thus avoiding harmful CO2 emissions to the environment.

Thus, at Pau, as a sustainable furniture brand, the wood we use comes from sustainable national forests that promote replanting. We also use high-density HR foam padding and rubber webbing and springs made from recycled materials.

Modern and comfortable armchairs for your home

Armchairs are one of the most appreciated pieces of furniture in our home since we almost always associate them with relaxation or enjoyment. Hence the importance of knowing how to choose the most suitable armchair for each one of us.

Our pieces are characterized by being handcrafted, taking care of the smallest detail so that customers are satisfied with the work.

Aures You Armchair

Elegance, comfort and style are the three characteristics that best define the Aures You armchair, designed by Ximo Roca. It has a wide and enveloping backrest that the customer can choose from three versions. The originality of its forms brings exclusivity to the space, and it is ideal for reading or resting areas. It is made of environmentally friendly materials, creating a sustainable and quality piece.

Hans Armchair

The Hans Armchair combines the austere elegance of classic furniture with the simplicity of Nordic design. Whether as a low armchair for the living room or bedroom, or as a high armchair for the dining table, the Hans armchair is perfectly proportioned and distinguished by its enveloping shape. This eco-friendly armchair has a workmanship that underlines Gervasoni’s craftsmanship and creates a play of full and empty spaces that lightens the design.

As you have been able to see, choosing sustainable armchairs for your home is something that should not be done lightly, but must take into account the aspects mentioned above. In Pau we have a wide range of products on our furniture catalog that adapt to the needs of our customers.

If you also want to buy the most comfortable armchair but you don’t know which one to choose, contact us and we will help you to make your choice and customize it with the fabrics you like the most.

 

Furniture

Our home is that place where we seek peace and quiet after a long day’s work. One of the rooms where we spend the most time is the living room, which has become the epicenter of the house. The ample space of this room allows us to gather with family and friends, read a book, watch a movie or simply relax.

In order to have a cozy space, it is not only necessary to pay attention to the decoration but also to know how to make your home more sustainable and to choose sustainable living room furniture that will give the space that aura of tranquility.

From Pau, as a sustainable furniture brand, we want to help you, so in this post we tell you which are the ecological and sustainable living room furniture that you can never miss.

Sustainable decoration in your living room

Having a sustainable decor in the living room is possible and brings many advantages to our lifestyle.

Sustainable decoration consists of using objects that follow the principles of social, ecological and economic sustainability. That is to say, objects that have been manufactured following the circular economy model based on the maximum use of resources while trying to reduce the use of raw materials.

Not only furniture can be eco-friendly, but also objects such as curtain fabrics, cushions or carpets, paint or plants can turn your living room into an environmentally friendly space. 

For example, in the case of fabrics for curtains, cushions or sofa upholstery, it is best to opt for eco-friendly materials and vegetable fibers such as cotton and linen; or animal fibers such as silk or wool. 

If we talk about paint, it is best to use ecological paint of natural, vegetable or mineral origin that comes from renewable or biodegradable sources and is not harmful to the environment. 

The best natural decorative elements are plants, which besides giving a sense of tranquility are beneficial to health and allow us to create beautiful decorative compositions.

Sustainable living room furniture

Achieving a sustainable living room design requires the right choice of furniture, which should be ecological and natural.

Sustainable furniture are exclusive pieces that are manufactured with natural or recycled materials that do not contain additives that alter them. In addition, they are made in the most respectful conditions for both people and the environment. 

Some of the main features of eco-friendly living room furniture are:

• They have a friendly production, optimizing to the maximum the use of raw materials and are designed to be durable.
• The raw material used must be natural, organically produced and sustainable.
• Certified wood from sustainable forests with FSC and PEFC certifications is used for its manufacture.
• Both the upholstery and filling fibers are of vegetable or animal origin from organic farms or plantations.
• The process of raw materials until it becomes furniture should be as sustainable as possible, trying to have the minimum impact on nature.

The best sustainable furniture for your living room 

In Pau we manufacture furniture under the concept of environmental awareness, using sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, we are unique in combining both worlds in our furniture: sustainability and design.

Here are some of the sustainable living room furniture that you can find in Pau’s sustainable furniture catalog.

Archie Sofa

The Archie Sofa, designed by Guillermo Torrent, is an eco-friendly living room furniture conceived to accommodate all the possibilities of rest and pleasure that a large sofa can provide. It is a large sofa that can also be expanded with multiple modules, chaise longues or seats.

Steetson Sofa

This piece is designed by Latorre’s design department and stands out for the quality of its structure, made of beech and pine wood from national sustainable forests. The customer can choose between several sizes of the Steetson Sofa: a three-seater sofa with six cushions, a two-seater sofa with four cushions or the single sofa.

Dress Sofa

Sergio Pérez and Anna Roy have designed this Dress Sofa that fits perfectly in any living room. It has a white upholstery with different geometric shapes that give it an air of freshness and naturalness. The structure is made of pine and beech wood from national forests that are committed to sustainability. This model can be designed with straight or rounded arms, giving the possibility of making different compositions.



If you want to know more about our products visit now Pau’s website and discover the wide catalog we have prepared. Moreover, you cand find more informationor tips in our blog, such as the benefits of eco-friendly products or rubber wood furniture If you need help or want to contact us we will be happy to help you!

Furniture

Every action and movement we make on a daily basis has a different impact on the environment. Although we may not be aware of it, turning on the tap and letting the water run, not recycling or always leaving the light on can have harmful consequences for our planet.

But not only can we contribute to the improvement of the environment with our daily actions but, for example, if we have a sustainable home with sustainably designed furniture we are also preventing the destruction of forests.

In this post we are going to tell you how to avoid deforestation, which sustainable furniture you can choose for your interior design project and how Pau contributes to the prevention of deforestation with its ecological furniture.

How to avoid deforestation

According to WWF’s report “Increasing the pace: the continuing impact of EU consumption on nature”, the EU is responsible for 16% of imported tropical deforestation, second only to China. If no action is taken, 2.3 million square kilometres of forest are likely to be lost between now and 2050.

Plantation destruction is a global problem that affects all living things, not just humans. The long-term consequences of deforestation can lead to global economic and environmental instability.

Deforestation not only affects the water cycle in nature, but also the forest is a natural source of raw materials, fuels and other components that we need to survive.

We may think that one of the simplest ways to help prevent deforestation is to plant a tree, but that is not enough. We have to go further with the decisions we make every day at home, at work, when we go shopping… That is why some of the measures we can take to reduce deforestation include:

• Avoid massive use of paper 
• Recycle as much as possible
• Buy organic food or food from sustainable shops 
• Buy recycled products
• Seek FSC certification for wood and wood-based products
• Do not litter in forests

Reduce deforestation with sustainable furniture

As you have seen, preventing deforestation is in our hands by taking simple, everyday actions.

In the home, by choosing sustainable and eco-friendly furniture for interior design, we are also helping to reduce deforestation. 

Whether a piece of furniture is sustainable or not depends to a large extent on its life cycle, its lifespan and its subsequent waste management. In other words, the circular economy model is taken into account at all times during the production of an eco-friendly piece of furniture.

One of the fundamental building blocks for furniture manufacturing is wood. Ecological furniture is made from wood that comes from sustainably managed forests. These forests promote the replanting of trees and prevent the deforestation of ecosystems through illegal logging.

Make sure that the wood used has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) label.

The most commonly used wood is pine, oak or beech because of its excellent characteristics. Rubberwood is also gaining ground and is considered environmentally friendly because it comes from renewable sources, i.e. from plantations that have already fulfilled a useful function.

For example, in the Pau catalogue there is the Glasgow sofa, which has a structure made of beech and pine wood and is upholstered with high-density HR foam rubber padding. Discover more about our eco-friendly sofas.

Sustainability and design in PAU

At Pau, as a sustainable furniture brand, we are very conscious of respecting the environment, and this is something we apply to all our projects. 

The frames of the sofas and armchairs in the Pau catalogue are made from pine and beech wood from sustainable forests, where controlled felling is carried out and the trees are replanted with new ones. 

In addition, the companies we work with and 90% of our suppliers are local, and are located just a few kilometres from our facilities.

On the other hand, we have recently installed 103 solar panels at our production centre, which will enable us to produce between 60 and 65% of the energy we use. Specifically, with this action we are going to avoid the annual emission of 16,170 kg of CO2.

In the case of the insoles used for manufacturing, they are not plastic and can be reused as many times as we want, being recycled when they are no longer used. 

In the case of the fabrics, those that are no longer used are sent to a foundation that converts them into new pieces, the profits from which go to the AECC breast cancer charity.

Finally, we recycle more than 90% of what we produce, and the by-product we generate is converted into new boards and what is no longer useful into biomass.

Visit the Pau website now to learn first-hand about our working methodology and download the complete PAU sustainable furniture catalog with all the models available.

Furniture

Every day we attach more and more importance to caring for the environment in order to avoid further deterioration of our planet. For this reason, we are concerned about recycling, consuming ecologically or, in the case of the home, we make sure that the eco-friendly materials and the furniture we use are as sustainable as possible. If you also want to have a home that respects the planet, don’t miss this post in which we give you some tips on how to make your home more sustainable. Shall we get started?

Create an eco-friendly home

To minimise our ecological footprint and leave a more caring planet, we have to start acting from our own home. Ideally, we would like to transform our home into a self-sustainable house whose consumption depends largely on solar energy and other natural sources. But in many cases, this is not possible

That’s why we have other options for creating a home that is as environmentally friendly as possible, such as, for example:

• Use eco-friendly LED bulbs
• Reduce energy consumption by switching off lights when they are not in use.
• Consume natural foods, from organic or fair trade gardens.
• Make the most of sunlight
• Use non-toxic cleaning products
• Recycle as much as possible
• Invest in a wood-burning or pellet cooker
• Avoid the use of plastics
• Use paper sparingly
• Do not buy disposable products

Tips for a sustainable home

In addition to following guidelines to create a home that is as eco-friendly as possible, having environmentally friendly decoration and furniture also helps on how to make your home more sustainable.

Materials such as wood, vegetable fibres and plants bring warmth, personality and balance to every room in the house. Below we are going to look at some of the tricks for decorating a house with eco-friendly furniture:

Selects the best fibres of plant and animal origin

Linen and organic cotton are two of the naturally sustainable materials that you can use in rugs, towels, bed linen and sofa upholstery. Fibres such as rattan, wool, wicker or bamboo are also natural as long as they come from organic plantations or farms that do not use chemical materials in their production. Discover the upholstery fabric trends of 2022.

In Pau, for example, we have three different collections of fabrics: Carlton (100% linen), Ashai (65% cotton and 35% linen) and Delta (25% linen and 75% viscose) and the customer can choose between them or send us their own fabrics.

Choose certified organic wood

If you choose wooden furniture, make sure that it has all the current certifications, in this case, eco fu

rniture has an eco, PEFF or FSC certification. But that’s not all. The wood must be recycled or come from sustainable forests that promote replanting and not deforestation. It is also important know how to care for wood furniture to extend the life of the product.

Rubber wood furniture is also a good alternative because the wood comes from renewable sources, i.e. from plantations that have already fulfilled a useful purpose such as latex production.

Recycled materials

The concept of circular economy is very present in the manufacture of ecological furniture as it is based on the use of resources and the reduction of raw materials. Therefore, recycling old furniture by giving it a new use or using pallets to make outdoor furniture is a good way to promote respect for the environment.

Select eco-friendly paint

Whether we want to restore a piece of furniture or paint one of the rooms in our home, the best thing to do is to use ecological paint. Ecological paint is non-toxic and its benefits include the fact that it is healthy, prevents damp and dust and, of course, cares for the planet. 

Plants for a more natural look

Plants always bring that natural air into a home, not only because of the green colour but also because they have many advantages such as increasing oxygen levels, purifying the air or removing toxins from the air.

Ethical furniture for your home

Choosing ethical furniture for a house does not mean leaving fashion aside, as nowadays the catalogue of eco-friendly furniture is very wide and varied. 

For example, in the living room you can opt for the Harry sofa from the Pau catalogue. This eco friendly coach is made of pine and beech wood from sustainable European forests, and its upholstery is made of cotton and linen fabrics. It also has fully removable covers, making it easy to wash.

To accompany the sofa we can incorporate natural plants, linen curtains and silk cushions, which are very pleasant to the touch. 

 

For the dining room, in addition to comfort, you should opt for sustainable chairs such as the Copenhagen chair: made from recycled materials and eco-friendly upholstery.

If you want to know more about our products, download the Pau sustainable furniture catalog now and start decorating your home with top quality sustainable furniture. Find out more information about the advantages of eco-friendly products.

Furniture

Wood has been and still is one of the most used materials in furniture manufacturing thanks to its resistance, beauty and durability. In the case of ecological furniture and specifically sofas, producers can choose between different types of wood, as long as it complies with current regulations and is environmentally friendly. Within this wide variety of wood types we find rubber wood, a 100% ecological material ideal for making furniture and sofas.

In this post we will take a detailed look at what rubber wood is and how it can be used to make sustainable furniture.

What is rubber wood

Rubber wood comes from several Asian tree species, known by its scientific name Hevea Brasiliensis and whose main industrial and commercial use is the production of latex. When latex production slows down, at about 25 years of age, the tree is harvested for processing into environmentally friendly and sustainable rubber wood.

Rubber has at first a very soft whitish, sometimes pinkish color, which over time yellows and fades to a light brown color. Although rubber may give the impression of flexibility, the truth is that rubber wood is moderately hard, with a medium texture, straight grained and coarse grained with little natural sheen. We could say that it has a density very similar to ash wood and maple hardwood. 

When it comes to working rubber wood, it stands out for being very easy to handle with both manual and mechanical tools. It is very easy to saw and plane and accepts glues and many types of finishes perfectly. During the drying process it usually curves; however, once dry, it becomes very stable. When sanding the wood, if done correctly, it facilitates staining to resemble trees such as walnut, oak or cherry.

Uses of rubber wood in sustainable furnishings

Ecological wood comes from sustainably managed forests, which promote replanting rather than deforestation. Sustainably manufactured furniture must carry the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) labels.

In the case of rubber wood, it is considered a sustainable and environmentally friendly type of wood because it comes from renewable sources, i.e. from plantations that have already fulfilled a useful function: in this case the production of latex.

Thanks to its properties, rubber wood is suitable for use in joinery as well as for the manufacture of furniture and other components such as parquet, wood panels and kitchen products.

The fact that it is easy to work also favors the use of rubber wood for the manufacture of indoor furniture such as sofas, tables, armchairs or chairs. 

It should be noted that its main use is for indoor rather than outdoor products. The reason is that, as it grows in warm, humid climates, it has a high starch content that favors the appearance of mold and mildew.

Environmentally friendly furniture in Pau

At Pau, we are moving forward every day to improve our manufacturing system towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly model.

That is why we use certified wood that comes from sustainable national forests in which more trees are planted each year than are harvested, generating long-lasting products with an extensive useful life. In addition, we recycle more than 90% of what we produce, and the by-product that is generated is converted into new boards, favoring the circular economy model.

It is worth mentioning that we have recently installed 103 solar panels in our factory that generate between 60 and 65% of the energy we use, making our company a much more sustainable business model, avoiding the annual emission of 16,170 kgs of CO2.

If you want to know more about how we work and what kind of materials we use in our products as a sustainable furniture company, such as the textiles in interior design we use, do not hesitate to visit our website, we are waiting for you!

Furniture

Manufacturing sustainable furniture not only implies that the environment in which it is made is respectful of the environment, but also that the materials with which it is made must be taken into account. These eco-friendly furniture materials must meet specific specifications, comply with regulations and favor the circular economy.

To design an environmentally friendly furniture, it is very important that the methodology used by the company corresponds to the basic requirements of eco-design or eco-design that collects the European standard. There is no point in saying that you have manufactured ecological furniture if you do not comply with the established guidelines.

In Pau we are aware of this, that is why all the materials we use when manufacturing our furniture are ecological: from the wood to the fabrics, favoring the respect for nature and taking care of the planet.

In this post we are going to tell you which are the essential eco-friendly materials in our sustainable furniture.

Sustainable furniture

During the manufacturing process of a piece of furniture, we must take into account the maximum respect for the environment and the lowest possible environmental impact: in this way we contribute significantly to the care of our planet.

Whether a piece of furniture is sustainable or not depends on its life cycle, its duration and the subsequent management of its waste, as well as the materials it is made of. The main difference between an ecological furniture and a conventional one is that during the manufacture of the ecological furniture the circular economy model is taken into account.

The circular economy is based on the use of resources, trying to reduce the use of raw materials as much as possible, as well as the generation of waste. Therefore, the aim is to reuse and recycle the materials of a piece of furniture as much as possible and that, at the end of its useful life, the materials can continue to be used for the manufacture of other furniture.

At Pau, our commitment to the manufacture of sustainable furniture goes even further. We currently have 103 solar panels in our production center that allow us to produce between 60 and 65% of the energy we use.

Eco-friendly materials for furniture

As we have mentioned before, when it comes to furniture manufacturing, not only the environment or the facilities have to be taken into account, but also the materials are one of the fundamental parts.

Next, we are going to see which are the essential materials we use to manufacture eco-friendly furniture in Pau:

Wood

Wood is one of the fundamental bases when it comes to making furniture. In the case of ecological furniture, the wood used for its production comes from sustainably managed forests, which promote the replanting of trees and do not contribute to the deforestation of ecosystems through illegal logging.

To ensure that the wood used is the correct wood, it must have the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) label.

Thus, we can find wood of:

• • Pine: Pine wood is very flexible and strong and is used in the vast majority of furniture. For example, solid pine is used to make shelves, tables, chairs, beds or eco friendly couches.
  • Oak: oak wood is characterized by being strong, hard, dense and resistant, which sometimes makes it difficult to work with. This wood is used to create traditional environments that reflect durability and solidity.
  • Beech: beech wood is hard and heavy. It has a uniform texture that favors varnishing and polishing. Beech furniture is considered to be of very good quality. Such is the case of the Archie sofa by Pau, which is made of beech and pine wood from sustainable European forests.
  • Hevea: hevea is the rubber tree and has become the substitute for the exotic woods that decorate some interiors. Thanks to its excellent characteristics, rubber wood furniture has become a very pleasant material to work with and has a very aesthetic result.

Vegetable fibers

Vegetable fibers come from organic plantations and no chemicals are used in the manufacturing process. Some of these fibers, thanks to their hardness, are used for the composition of furniture, while the rest are used for stuffing, upholstery and padding.

The most commonly used are:

• Wicker: wicker is characterized because it is light but sturdy at the same time, being ideal for furniture that is given a lot of mobility, such as patio or garden furniture.
• Rattan: its flexible nature allows it to be easily worked and it is widely used for the manufacture of outdoor furniture. It is a sustainable alternative thanks to its complete and natural recycling.
• Bamboo: bamboo has a hardness similar to oak and resists moisture very well. It also has a very special appearance thanks to the circular structure of its trunk.
• Cotton: cotton is a vegetable fiber used to stuff seats of sofas, chairs… although it can also be used in upholstery.
• Linen: is one of the strongest vegetable fibers and is characterized by its high strength and low elasticity. It is a great thermal conductor and its fabrics are usually fresh and light.

Animal fibers

Animal-derived fibers are sourced from organic farms and these are some of the most common:

• Wool: the most commonly used wool is sheep wool, although sometimes goat wool, for example, is also used. Wool easily absorbs moisture and gives an incredible feeling of warmth. It is mainly used for stuffing, although sometimes it can also be found in upholstery.
• Silk: Silk is a soft, light, lustrous fiber with high tensile strength but low elasticity. Silk has a spectacular natural luster and is one of the strongest and most resilient natural fibers.

Natural fabrics

All of Pau’s collections are characterized by the use of sustainable materials in the manufacture of their pieces.


We have three collections of fabrics for our products, although customers can send us their own and we adapt it to the production process. Our three collections are:

• Carlton: made of 100% linen with different colors.
• Ashai: 65% cotton and 35% linen.
• Delta: linen 25% and viscose 75%.

All are natural and organic fibers.

It is also important to take a good furniture care to extend the life of the product.


In addition, as part of our efforts to be more sustainable, all fabrics that are no longer used are sent to a foundation that converts them into new pieces and whose profits go to the AECC of breast cancer.


If you want to know more about the essential eco-friendly materials or the advantages of eco-friendly products of Pau’s sustainable furniture, visit our website now, we are waiting for you! Find out more about the textile trends this year.

Furniture

Textiles, in decoration, are used in different ways: both to dress furniture (upholstery) and to cover surfaces (fabrics). Both options can be used to give a new life to a space or to renovate a room. Therefore, it is essential to know what trends are in force, in order to create a project with elegance, warmth and, of course, with a personal touch.

In Pau we are aware of this, that’s why we create furniture with textiles that, in addition to respecting the environment and being made with 100% natural materials, follow the current trend.

In this post we are going to review some of the fabric trends for interior design that will mark this new year.

Tips for choosing the best design

When choosing home textiles, it is not only appropriate to be guided by the latest fabric trends, but also to take into account certain aspects such as, for example:

• The fabric chosen for curtains, sofas and cushions is the basis of any living room decoration project.
• The best way to combine the different sustainable living room furniture or bedroom is to opt for a base of soft and neutral tones. In this way, we can incorporate from colors of the same palette to decorative elements of other colors that give a different touch to each corner.
• The curtains should match the rest of the fabrics or can even be the same color as the walls to blend in with the environment. If you want them to be the protagonists of the room, choose different and contrasting tones.
• In the case of the sofa upholstery it is very important that it is resistant to use and, at least, easy to clean and remove the covers. Keep in mind that the sofa is one of the most used elements of any living room.
• For the bedroom, the best are soft and relaxing tones, which invite to be calm and quiet at bedtime. To add a touch of color and break the monotony, it is best to do it in the cushions or carpets.
• To define a personalized style, it is necessary to take into account the tastes, personality and even the character of each person.
• It is essential to prioritize a green interior design.

Types of textiles in interior design

When it comes to using textiles to manufacture eco-friendly furniture, at Pau we give priority to organic and natural fabrics that respect the environment and do not use any type of chemical products during their production.

• Cotton. Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber in textile manufacturing due to its price, softness, versatility, comfort and easy maintenance.
• Linen. Linen is also of vegetable origin although it is somewhat stiffer and shinier than cotton. It is one of nature’s strongest vegetable fibers and has been used for centuries for clothing and fashion accessories. In addition, thanks to its excellent quality, it is also one of the most widely used textiles in the manufacture of household linen and furniture upholstery.
• Silk. Silk is produced by the silkworm and is a lustrous, soft and light fiber. It is made up of very fine threads that are also very resistant and stands out for its luster, natural drape and softness to the touch.
• Wool. Wool is a material of animal origin, specifically from the sheep’s coat, and offers great elasticity, resistance and, above all, stands out for its thermal properties.

Interior design textiles trends

Due to the crisis produced by the COVID-19, textile trends are betting on being at home in a comfortable way, hence the search for natural and ecological fabrics, pleasant textures and colors that evoke nature.

Next let’s take a look at what some of the textile trends in interior design are this year:

Natural fabrics

Sustainable fashion is gaining ground and this can be seen every day in the number of decoration ideas based on the circular economy and that use natural fabrics as the basis of their projects. Most of the furniture we manufacture in Pau is upholstered with 100% natural linen and cotton, making it easy to wash and highly resistant to abrasion and impact from other external agents.

Warm and neutral tones

This year, natural colors such as earth, beige or sand predominate, which can be mixed with greens or blues to give a touch of color to the room. Grays or whites also help to give a feeling of warmth to the home, creating intimate and cozy atmospheres.

Textures reminiscent of nature

Following the line of creating rooms to relax and be at peace, we can opt for embroidered textures and floral prints, as they perfectly recreate nature. This special touch can be applied to elements such as cushions and curtains, which will remind us of spring.

Slow mode

The idea of creating spaces of relaxation and comfort, also called “slow”, is possible with curtains, upholstery or recycled cotton cushions with neutral colors and smooth textures. Sometimes it is also recommended to put some striped elements or geometric shapes, but without overdoing it.

In Pau, as a sustainable furniture company and inhouse manufacturing, we are very aware of the respect for the environment and, therefore, when manufacturing our furniture, we not only follow the trends of the sector but we also use natural and ecological materials for the upholstery and textiles of our furniture.

If you want to know all the fabrics we use for our sustainable furniture, you can download our eco-friendly furniture catalog. Find out more about furniture cleaning care and maintenance.

Furniture

The use and the passage of time always takes its toll on furniture, even if its quality is the best on the market. The same thing happens with eco-friendly furniture: wear and tear also occurs. In addition, in the case of ecological furniture, it must be taken into account that they are made with environmentally friendly raw materials, such as chemical-free wood or materials that have been recycled and processed for a new use, so they may require more specific furniture cleaning care and maintenance.

In Pau we manufacture our furniture under an ethical and sustainable concept offering our customers the best products convinced of their durability. Therefore, in this post we are going to give you some tips on how to care for and clean your ecological furniture.

Commitment to green cleaning

Green cleaning is a concept that promotes the use of products that have a lower impact on the planet and on the health of consumers.

The vast majority of cleaning products we have at home contain toxic and chemical substances such as ammonia, phenol or perborate, which are highly polluting and harmful to the environment.

On the other hand, cleaning products formulated in an environmentally friendly way aim to boost sustainability: they are made with biodegradable, easy-to-recycle and less polluting packaging. On the other hand, they do not generate strong odors or vapors, are not abrasive and rarely generate an allergic reaction when in contact with the skin. In addition, they are not tested on animals.

Thus, choosing ecological products for the care of our furniture not only favors our health but also the care of the planet.

Tips on eco-friendly furniture care and cleaning

Buying eco-friendly furniture implies that we also treat them in an environmentally friendly way in their maintenance: only in this way can we ensure that they have a long useful life. In addition, if we contribute to a low environmental impact care we are ensuring that, once their life cycle is over, their reintegration into the circular economy will be easier, always betting on sustainability.

Here are some basic tips on furniture care and cleaning of eco-friendly furniture:

Day to day life in the home

The daily life of a home makes the furniture suffer wear and tear, so it is important to take certain guidelines to promote furniture care. It is necessary to ventilate and open the windows every day to avoid the excess of humidity since this expands the toxic elements. Plants also help to absorb these toxics, in addition to providing a decorative touch.

Use environmentally friendly products for cleaning

Many times we can find products sold as organic that in reality are not, as they contain some kind of toxic substance. It is therefore very important to check that these products meet three fundamental criteria: they have 100% biodegradable components, their design and manufacture have little environmental impact and their ingredients come from organic farming.

Natural cleaners

Some natural products that we have at home have an important cleaning power, although it may seem otherwise. For example:

• Vinegar: excellent ecological grease remover due to its high acetic acid content.
• Natural soap: cleans and disinfects any surface easily.
• Lemon: antioxidant that acts as a stain remover and also has a very good smell.
• Ethyl alcohol: it is the natural multipurpose par excellence that not only disinfects but also removes stains
• Glycerin: a non-toxic cleaner that helps to preserve fabrics and gums.
• Sodium bicarbonate: works against grease and as a disinfectant.

Wood care

How to care for wood furniture? Wood is one of the surfaces that suffers the most wear and tear, as well as one of the most delicate, so it is very important to maintain proper care. To obtain a natural shine the best thing is to apply a mixture of olive oil with lemon juice on the surfaces that we want to highlight. If we add beeswax to this mixture instead of industrial wax, we will be able to maintain the surface in perfect conditions as well as to enhance its shine.

When applying the cleaner it is advisable to do it always in the direction of the grain of the wood and with a microfiber cloth that does not scratch.

As for the atmosphere in the house, too much humidity causes the wood to expand; on the other hand, if it is too dry, it can cause shrinkage or slight cracks in the panels.

Fabric cleaning

Before applying any product, dry cleaning with a brush or vacuum cleaner is recommended to remove dust and dust mites that have accumulated. Then it is best to apply steam or hot water to soften the area, always using a sponge or soft cloth so as not to wear the fabric.

To clean fabrics it is best to use natural soap, a mixture of water with baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar, always depending on the type of fabric to be treated. To finish the cleaning we rinse the surface with a damp cloth and let it dry in the air.

As you have seen, ecological furniture requires specific cleaning and daily maintenance in order to keep it in the best possible conditions. From Pau, as sustainable furniture manufacturers, we recommend you to take into account the tips and guidelines of furniture cleaning care and maintenance that we have mentioned above in order to care for your furniture and extend its useful life as many years as possible.

Visit now our website and take a look at the design furniture catalogue to know what is the composition of each one of them, so you will know better how to carry out their daily care.