In the recent times due to the massive destruction of the environment people are now more conscious about the ecology. They feel responsible to restore the environment and not to be a factor of its destruction. There is an increasing trend to use eco-friendly materials in our daily life. modern furniture is not an exception to this. Whenever people go to buy a piece of furniture, they inquire what materials were used to make the furniture. Are these materials eco-friendly? The timber collected from harvested forest?  They do not prefer timber from the rain forest used for manufacturing furniture. 

This preference of the consumers has now motivated the manufacturers to produce furniture from alternative eco-friendly materials. Timber is less used for this reason as well as for its scarcity too. Veneer plywood, metal, various plastics like vinyl are used in modern furniture. When timber is used for furniture, body curving is avoided to prevent wastage. barcelona chairs, Corbusier Loveseat and Marshmallow Sofa are good instances of furniture made of metal frames, instead of timber.

In US, FSC Certified timber is more preferred today in furniture manufacturing industries. Forest Stewardship Council certifies that the timber has been obtained from the forest that supports ecological functions and the rights and culture of the aboriginal people has been respected. 

The trend of modern furniture designing is thus shifting from traditional woodcraft towards craftsmanship with more eco-friendly durable materials.