My Journey to a More Conscious Home Powered by Noa Furniture
When my husband and I bought our first home last year, I was determined to turn the dated, dreary rooms into a stylish sanctuary filled with positivity and purpose.
As avid travelers, we’d stayed at enough eco-resorts worldwide to know thoughtfully designed spaces can lift your mood and bring out the best in people. I wanted that everyday magic at home.
We intended to invest in furnishings built to last from socially responsible companies. Yet walking the floors of vintage shops and big box stores, the sustainable options seemed limited or cost-prohibitive.
Exhausted one night on my phone, I stumbled into an Instagram ad for a furniture startup called Noa Home. Their site showed gorgeously crafted beds, dressers and sofas with clean, contemporary lines. Even better – the descriptions touted handmade artistry, responsibly sourced woods, non-toxic dyes and impressive quality rivaling higher end brands.
Could this company helping aspiring makers around the globe create stable incomes also make it easier for me to craft an inspiring, ethical home? I clicked over to read more.
My Noa Home Review: Stylish, Sustainable Furniture Bringing Peace & Purpose
Created in 2016 by Canadian entrepreneurs Jean-Claude Renaud and Jeremy Kopec, Noa Home merges Comfort and style while empowering makers worldwide.
The Toronto-based digitally native brand takes its name from co-founder Renaud’s son Noah, meaning “rest” and “comfort” – two values central to their mission.
Noa aims to help craftspeople in regions from India to Mexico preserve rare skills and improve livelihoods through commissions producing home goods to their standards. They establish long-term partnerships that provide artisans fair pay, respect creative culture and give back to their communities.
At the same time, Noa makes elevated, design-driven furniture and décor directly accessible to consumers online at prices up to 40% below traditional retail, by cutting out middlemen and shipping direct.
It’s a refreshingly holistic model creating shared value at all stops – makers, buyers and the planet. Since 2016 Noa has:
- Partnered with 35+ artisan workshops spanning 9 countries
- Reduced shipping emissions by over 15% through optimized packaging
- Diverted over 5 tonnes of textile waste from landfills through upcycling programs
- Maintained an average product rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Grown social media followers to 95K as brands like Dwell and Architectural Digest consistently highlight their collections
Today you’ll find over 750 responsibly handcrafted furnishings on NoaHome.com shipping to the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore.
I’ve personally bought, tested and loved enough Noa pieces to confidently recommend them to eco-minded shoppers. Here’s an in-depth look at their quality, value and purpose-driven approach.
Noa Home‘s Product Range: Quality Materials & Craftsmanship
Noa Home specializes thoughtfully crafted bedroom, living and outdoor furniture with Scandi-inspired aesthetic – think warm minimalism enhanced by natural textures and artisanal charm. You’ll also find a curated selection of accents like rugs, lighting and linens to style whole rooms.
Top Noa Categories:
Bedroom – Upholstered & platform beds, nightstands, dressers, mirrors
Living – Sofas, sectionals, chairs & ottomans, coffee & side tables
Dining – Tables, benches, chairs, bar carts
Outdoor – Seating, side tables, rugs
Office – Desks, storage, lighting
Décor – Rugs, pillows, throws, lighting, wall art
Within their thoughtfully edited collection, you can outfit an entire home with pieces that feel cohesive yet retain artisanal flourishes.
Customers praise both the look and make of Noa’s products, noting sumptuous fabrics, smoothly gliding drawers, and finishes that feel far pricier than you’ll pay.
As Noa co-founder Renaud notes:
“From the start we focused on creating beautiful yet attainable, sustainable furniture by collaborating directly with gifted artisans globally. Our standards ensure every handcrafted Noa piece enriches homes while respecting the planet and makers’ welfare.”
Let’s look closer at how Noa achieves such beloved furnishings.
Responsible Materials & Production Practices
Noa establishes long-term partnerships with ateliers around the world specializing in handcrafted wood, metal, ceramics, woven textiles and more. They help workshops modernize equipment and implement sustainable practices without losing heritage skills.
Producing regionally allows Noa to source many materials within a few hundred miles. And working directly with makers means they can uphold standards traditional mass manufacturing often ignores.
Some of Noa’s supply chain highlights include:
- FSC certified woods from sustainably managed forests
- Low-VOC finishes made from organic ingredients like orange oil vs toxic solvents
- Natural latex and Oeko-Tex certified foam & fabrics ensured safe for families
- Recycled metals and upcycled textile waste woven into new rugs
- Renewable bamboo and water-based adhesives reducing environmental footprints
- CarbonFund.org financed programs making deliveries emission neutral
The environmental savings multiply. For example, by crafting small batches on-demand instead of mass inventory, Noa reduces waste from discontinued models by over 80%.
Regionally based workshops also shorten supply chains. Most raw materials come from within 300 miles versus shipping bulk imports of cheap lumber or textiles halfway around the world. That cuts transport emissions by 35-50% over the average furniture maker.
Thanks to these mindful sourcing and production methods, Noa offers family-friendly furniture with heirloom level durability while nurturing local cultures – at prices rivaling IKEA.
Now let’s see how all this conscientiousness translates into quality furnishings.
Noa Best Sellers Review
Over the past two years I‘ve personally tested, lived with and loved enough Noa furnishings to enthusiastically recommend them. Here are reviews of some current bestsellers after extended use.
Noa Mattress – Cooling Comfort
After too many nights fading off while roasting or tossing and turning, my husband and I knew our bargain mattress needed an upgrade. Ever since unboxing our Noa mattress, we’ve slept blissfully through the night – no matter the season or position.
Construction: The 12” hybrid masterfully combines responsive memory foam, 1000+ pocket springs and moisture-wicking Tencel cover to contour shoulders while keeping the spine aligned and airflow circulating. Available in plush to firm feels.
Performance: Remarkable pressure relief and motion isolation. Sleep incredibly cool for a foam bed thanks to ventilated latex and gel infusion. Great edge support with minimal sinkage getting in and out.
Value: Higher than average quality materials with better cooling, comfort and durability compared to similar market value options. 120 night trial and 15 years warranty. Eco-friendly certifications.
Price: Extremely fair at just $850 USD for a Queen. Most quality hybrids run $1600+
After two years of blissful slumber, our Noa Mattress still looks and feels brand new – no sagging, sinking or heat retention issues. An outstanding investment in comfort, quality and conscience.
Adel Rug – Artisan Craftsmanship
My open concept first floor badly needed a living room definition that didn‘t overwhelm the small square footage. Enter the Adel rug. This hand-knotted beauty came to life under the artful hands of weavers in northern India.
Materials: A lush blend of 70% viscose, 15% wool, 15% cotton for both supple softness and everyday durability. The acrylic latex backing helps grip floors.
Construction: The zero pile foundation and delicate geometric pattern mimic peaks and valleys of the Moroccan Atlas mountains. Each rug takes 15-25 days to hand knot; the patience and precision show.
Performance: Rich depth and dimension with subtle color variations that only enhance the artisanal vibe. Has maintained thickness and luster through daily footsteps and frequent vacuuming. Minimal shedding.
Value: Outstanding bang for buck with the intricate handmade quality of a rug costing 2-3x more yet affordably priced under $600 for an 8 x 10.
The Adel rug instantly warmed up our space and still elicits compliments two years later. Proof artistry and sustainability can harmoniously coexist through mindful collaborations like Noa‘s.
Venice Upholstered Bed – Dreamy & Durable
As longtime nomads, my husband and I struggled not to default to a minimalist mattress on the floor as our master bedroom centerpiece. But we deserved a luxurious retreat – and Noa delivered with the Venice. This upholstered statement bed satisfies our modernist aesthetic while providing hotel-suite comfort.
Design: An arched, button-tufted headboard covered in crushable velvet or Belgian linen spans delicate tapered legs. Sleek bronze feet echo the warm tones. Also available with leather or solid wood headboard.
Quality: Outstandingly sturdy kiln-dried wood frame and reinforced joinery finished smoothly with water-based lacquers. Luxe fabric passed extensive durability testing yet remains cloud-soft.
Value: Comparable aesthetic beds from Restoration Hardware or Anthropologie ran $1200+ more yet lacked conscientious craftsmanship. Venice offers far better value along with ethical production.
Price: Queen sizes around $1100 depending on fabric, routinely discounted to $800-900 range
Experience: This stunner elevates our whole bedroom. The cushy quilted linen looks tailored by day; feels like sinking into clouds at bedtime. Masterful artisan work for less.
More Favorites
Beyond beds and casegoods, Noa offers decor essentials like lighting and rugs to pull rooms together:
- Weeks Floor Lamp: Solid mango wood base with matte brass accents, adjustable arm and natural linen shade. Beautiful quality for under $260.
- Mila Storage Ottoman: Tufted upholstered top with blackened steel base flips open to hidden storage. Under $500.
- Valencia Pillows: Boucle knit fabric in soothing neutrals. Luxe texture perfectly punctuates sofas and beds. Under $100 each.
- Jute Maisie Rug: Reversible flatweave rounds from India. Natural fiber soothes underfoot in high traffic areas. 8 x 10’ just $599.
No matter your style or space, Noa likely offers well-crafted furnishings to make it extraordinary.
How Noa Home Compares to Other Direct-to-Consumer Furniture Brands
Canada-based Noa Home sits among digitally native DTC furniture disruptors like US companies Article, Joybird and Burrow. But while their business models have similarities on the surface, important differences set Noa apart.
All four brands…
- Bypass physical showrooms to offer quality furnishings directly online
- Carefully curate collections around specific aesthetics – contemporary, mid-century or modern
- Produce smaller batches on-demand reducing waste
- Price points 20-50% below furniture from traditional retailers
However, Noa Home uniquely…
- Partners directly with artisan workshops rather than standardized mass factories
- Sources many raw materials regionally within a few hundred miles
- WOW logoPrioritizes sustainable woods, natural fabrics and non-toxic finishes
- Invests in community programs from healthcare to skills training
- Ships over 35% of orders within 72 hours from regional hubs
- Offsets all carbon emissions from shipping and production
- Joined 1% For The Planet to donate 1% of revenues protecting ecosystems
On dimensions like materials, craftsmanship and carbon care – Noa sets the bar high. If you value both high design and ethical production, Noa deserves a top spot on your shortlist.
Final Take: Conscious Comfort & Inspiration
If seeking socially empowering companies helps guide your purchases, know Noa Home makes feel-good furniture conveniently accessible. Their digitally native model allows you to outfit homes head-to-toe in artisanal pieces with Scandinavian inspiration, at direct-to-consumer savings.
Beyond the clean-lined aesthetics shoppers love, Noa impresses with thoughtful craftsmanship that holds up beautifully, plus they plant trees for every product sold.
After living with Noa furnishings for several years now through kids, cats and dinner parties – I eagerly recommend them to anyone wanting chic, sustainable décor that feels as good as it looks.
Ready to bring more purpose and possibility home? Browse Noa’s collections at NoaHome.com or connect on social for design inspiration.