11. What’s Really Inside Your Sofa? The Truth About Healthy, Natural Furniture

Episode 11: What’s Really Inside Your Sofa? The Truth About Healthy, Natural FurnitureIn this episode of Design with Impact, Alex sits down with Christine Sintermann, co-founder of Biosofa, to explore what’s really hiding inside the upholstered furniture we bring into our homes.After discovering the amount of plastic, petroleum-based foam, and synthetic materials used in conventional sofas, Christine and her husband set out to create a different kind of furniture—one built around natural materials, repairability, and circular design.Together, they unpack the health and environmental impacts of conventional furniture, the problem with greenwashing in the industry, and why interior designers need to look beyond aesthetics and start asking what’s inside the products they specify.If you’ve ever wondered how to source healthier furniture, avoid misleading sustainability claims, and create spaces that support both people and the planet, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Christine’s journey into sustainable furniture beganWhat’s inside a typical mass-market sofa—and why it mattersThe health and environmental concerns surrounding petroleum-based foam and synthetic materialsWhy furniture waste and microplastics are becoming a growing issueWhat you would actually find inside a Biosofa, including natural latex, jute, certified wood, and natural fibersWhy repairability and end-of-life should be considered when specifying furnitureWhy vague terms like “eco,” “green,” and “conscious” aren't enoughWhy transparency matters and what questions designers should be asking manufacturersWhere designers should focus first when creating healthier homes: furniture, walls, and floorsWhy sustainable design doesn't have to be perfect—and why better choices add up over timeChristine’s vision for the future of the furniture industry and product transparencyConnect with Christine Sintermann:Freebie: Natural Home GuideWebsite: https://biosofa.com/Instagram: @the_biosofaReference to video (Natural vs. Synthetic fibres on fire): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87hAnxuh1g8Connect & continue the conversation:I am creating resources and trainings for interior designers who want to learn more about sustainability and I need your input! I would be so grateful if you would take a few minutes to give me your feedback here: SurveyJoin our newsletter: Newsletter Sign-upFollow on Instagram: @designwithimpact_Share this episode with a fellow designerLeave a review to help grow the movement