Your bedroom is a sanctuary but there are toxic chemicals lurking in our furniture that can keep it from being a true safe haven. This guide to sustainable and non-toxic nightstands is here to help you check one to-do off of your list in creating a toxin-free bedroom.
What is a Non-Toxic Nightstand?
There’s a lot to look out for with non-toxic furniture, which I’ve covered in detail in that article. For this guide we’re focusing on nightstands, which are primarily made with wood or engineered wood. So I will focus on what to watch out for with wood furniture.
Solid Wood Nightstands
When possible, prioritize solid wood for a non-toxic nightstand because many composite woods (though not all) are made with adhesives that contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
With nightstands, even if the nightstand is solid wood, the drawers are frequently made with composite wood. If this is the case, ensure that it is free of formaldehyde and other toxic substances.
Zero VOC or Low VOC Finishes
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, include a variety of chemicals (such as formaldehyde). Some of these VOCs can be extremely toxic and harmful to our health, including another known human carcinogen, benzene. The EPA reports that VOCs are up to 10x higher indoors than outdoors, due to products we bring into our homes such as paints, building and furniture materials, and wood preservatives.
When it comes to wood products like nightstands, pay special attention to the finishes used on these pieces. Although wood is a natural material, it can still be finished with toxic chemicals.
Pure linseed oil — an oil made from flaxseeds — is a commonly used non-toxic finish.
What is a Sustainable Nightstand?
Again we’ll focus on wood here since most nightstands are made with wood (or composite wood) and typically do not contain any cushioning or fabrics.
Responsibly Sourced Wood
While wood is a natural renewable material, deforestation is a driver of climate change and biodiversity loss. Plus forests can help stem the effects of the third element in our triple planetary crisis, pollution.
When looking for sustainable wood nightstands, look for:
- Upcycled and repurposed wood
- Wood from reforestation projects or from forests prioritizing long-term forest preservation rather than clearcutting
- Traceable, local (or at least domestic) wood
- FSC-Certified wood (though I would be remiss not to note that the FSC is far from perfect as a certifier)
A Quick Note on Certifications
You’ll see several certifications throughout this guide. Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what each one actually covers:
- FSC Certified = the wood sourcing was responsibly managed (not a finish or emissions guarantee)
- GREENGUARD / GREENGUARD Gold = tested for low chemical emissions from the finished product (not a sustainable sourcing guarantee)
- CARB 2 Compliant = a regulatory limit on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood parts like plywood drawers (required by law in the US); less strict and more limited than GREENGUARD
- UL Environment Verified = third-party lab confirmation of specific manufacturer claims, such as chemical safety, recycled content, waste diversion, or water efficiency
Note that terms like “sustainable”, “responsibly sourced” and “non-toxic” are not required to be backed up with third-party certifications. So I’d suggest doing your own research beyond the marketing terms to assure a brand aligns with your values.
Locally Made
When it comes to bulky, heavy objects like furniture, domestic production is a higher priority on my list when determining sustainability. Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions so the less a piece of furniture has to travel to get to me, the better.
In my case, this means made in the US. (I only know of one furniture company made in my state.)
Many sustainable American-made furniture companies even have their own furniture workshops, for maximum traceability, high social standards, and quality assurance.
Secondhand Nightstands
When it comes to sustainability, it’s hard to beat secondhand. This is furniture that already exists and may even be otherwise headed to a landfill. I’ve written in depth about my top picks for buying and selling secondhand furniture.
I’ll summarize it though as:
- Apps like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace (I’ve had the most luck with those two)
- In-person options like furniture resale stores and at estate sales (the former is more curated, the latter might have better deals)
- Online secondhand furniture marketplaces like AptDeco
Are secondhand nightstands non-toxic? Typically, no, given that the majority of furniture in general is not made with healthy materials. However if furniture is used it has likely off-gassed significantly already so there will be fewer fumes compared with buying that same piece new.
Be sure to check that the secondhand nightstand has come from a smoke-free home (and pet-free if you have allergies).
Where to Find Sustainable and Non-Toxic Nightstands
Feeling overwhelmed by everything there is to look for in a non-toxic or eco-friendly bedside table? I feel ya! That’s why I’ve done the hours of research and digging for you to curate the best of the best in non-toxic and sustainable nightstands.
You’ll find highlights of each company as well as other important information alongside each brand or retailer. Note that this guide contains affiliate links. As always we only feature companies that might rigorous standards for sustainability that we love, and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Medley
Best for: timeless nightstands with a lifetime* warranty
Crafted in the US by a production team with over 170 years of combined experience, Medley’s sustainable nightstands are built to last — the furniture frames and hardware come with a lifetime warranty. *The surface area does not come with the same warranty, though any solid wood pieces could, of course, be sanded down and refinished.
Medley’s expert team of furniture craftspeople make each of their bedside tables with FSC-certified solid walnut or maple for the tops, sides, and drawer(s). However, like most nightstands, the drawers are made with plywood to keep the nightstand lighter weight for transport. Though the plywood is low-VOC CARB 2 compliant.
Conscious Qualities: Zero and Low VOC Finishes, FSC-Certified Wood, USA-Made
Price: $795 – $1695
2. Copeland @ Urban Natural
Best for: finding a variety of styles and price points
Copeland crafts transitional furniture made with exceptional attention to quality in Vermont from hardwood sourced from the American Northern Forest. The company also uses renewable electricity from their own on-site solar array. And Copeland’s standard finish for their products is a GREENGUARD Certified for low chemical emissions.
The brand has nightstands at all price points — from contemporary shelf nightstands coming in under $300 to mid-century modern inspired two-drawer hardwood dressers closer to the $2,000 range.
Conscious Qualities: Locally Sourced Solid Wood, GREENGUARD Certified Finish, Heirloom Quality, USA-Made
Price: $256 – $2260
3. Thuma
Best for: minimalist nightstands without the wait
Modern, simple, and available in four different finishes, Thuma’s nightstands are versatile storage furnishings that complement a range of interior design styles. Thuma’s bedroom furniture is made with rubberwood — a co-product of the latex industry — which has 70% lower eco-impacts compared to domestic hardwood, according to a Greenplaces Product Lifecycle Assessment.
While Thuma has just one simple design for their nightstand, it does mean it can be available to ship in just 1-3 days, unlike most of the brands in this guide that are made-to-order. The repurposed wood nightstand also arrives fully constructed, no assembly required. (A feature I’d personally appreciate!)
Conscious Qualities: “Upcycled” Rubberwood (co-product of latex industry), GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Price: $495
4. Avocado
Best for: in-house production with full traceability
Made in their own FSC-certified woodshop in Los Angeles, Avocado’s nightstands are built sustainably, transparently, and crafted to last. Avocado uses solid maple or walnut for the frames, and while plywood is used for the drawers, the maple wood option is formaldehyde-free verified by UL Environment. The furniture is finished with a zero-VOC stain and comes with a 10-year warranty.
The company has a Mid-Century Modern Nightstand (my personal favorite — pictured), a minimalist and more affordable City Nightstand, as well as a contemporary Malibu Wood Nightstand. Avocado also an adorable nightstand for kids.
Conscious Qualities: Zero VOC Stain, GREENGUARD Gold Certified, FSC-Certified, In-House Production
Price: $449 – $1999
5. Healthier Homes
Best for: the highest standards for non-toxic nightstands
Founded by builders Jen and Rusty after they struggled to find healthy material options for their own homes, Healthier Homes curates furniture with no MDF, particle board, or formaldehyde finishes.
The highlight for me is their rattan nightstand (pictured) which pairs fast-growing Bayur and Mindi wood with curved rattan sides in a washed, open-grain finish that shows the wood’s natural character.
Healthier Homes’ Parawood collection (from retired rubber tree farms) ships unfinished so you can customize it yourself with their zero-VOC Paint It Yourself kits. Their natural wood nightstand isn’t for me, aesthetically speaking, but if you value non-toxic furniture above an elegant finish and/or love a DIY this could be your best bet.
Conscious Qualities: Fast-Growing Hardwood, No MDF/Particle Board, Zero-VOC Customization Available
Price: $390 – $1295
6. GRAYN
Best for: an elegant bedside table with a design story
Perhaps the most design-forward option on this list, GRAYN intentionally highlights furniture joinery with contrasting finishes. The designs are simple, but the drawers are made with expressed wood slides, a traditional approach to furniture making that enables smooth functioning without metal hardware.
Handcrafted in Bradford, Vermont, GRAYN’s nightstands are crafted from ethically-sourced solid oak and finished with a GREENGUARD certified clear coating. GRAYN’s nightstands are on the higher price end, but if you value traditional furniture making and an essentialist design, this bedside table just might be the pick.
Conscious Qualities: Ethically-Sourced Solid Oak, GREENGUARD Certified Finishes, USA Made
Price: $1589 – $2179
7. Maple Corner Woodworks @ Urban Natural
Best for: timeless nightstands built with shaker-style craftsmanship
Handcrafted in Vermont since 1982, Maple Corner Woodworks has kept its Traditional Shaker style — clean lines drawn from mid-to-late-1800s furniture design — as its signature since day one, a rare but welcome consistency in an industry that chases trends. Of the three Vermont-based woodworkers in this guide, MCW leans hardest into that old-world, heirloom aesthetic.
Their Shaker Three Drawer Nightstand is a good example of the craft: soft-close drawers, tapered corner posts, chamfered edges, and cove moldings, available in solid cherry, maple, or walnut. The wood is harvested from Vermont land managed for long-term forest preservation rather than clear-cut sourcing, which is a sustainability quality I always highly value.
Conscious Qualities: Responsibly Sourced Solid Wood, USA-Made, Traditional Craftsmanship
Price: $1629 – $2537
More Furniture Guides:
11 Best Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Beds for a Sound Sleep
15 Non-Toxic Furniture Companies for a Healthier Home
Top 10 American-Made Furniture Brands Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
