Corrugated board furniture - versatile and environmentally friendly

Corrugated board consists of several layers of cardboard, which give the material high stability. The packaging material has proven itself in the mail order business because of its structural strength and is also used for moving boxes during relocations.

However, corrugated cardboard can also be used for the production of furniture due to its advantageous properties, as it is light, inexpensive and easy to process.

Unlike conventional materials used in furniture construction, such as various types of solid wood, veneered MDF and plywood, corrugated cardboard is easier to process and has less impact on the environment. Besides the use of the bare cardboard material, corrugated cardboard can also be decorated - with fabrics, ceramics or foils. After use of the furniture, the corrugated cardboard is recyclable again.

With furniture made of cardboard no one wreaks havoc

Corrugated board furniture owes its good stability to the construction principle of the ingenious paper product:

A corrugated sheet is embedded between the outer cover and the inner cover of a corrugated board. Due to its arched structure, it gives the corrugated board structural strength similar to an arched bridge and at the same time has a sound- and shock-absorbing effect.

By using double-flute and triple-flute cor rugated board, stability and load capacity can be increased. For lightly loaded furniture made of corrugated board, the double flute corrugated board called double flute is sufficient. In the case of more heavily loaded furniture, such as a bed, the load-bearing elements should be made of heavy-duty triple-wall corrugated board or wood reinforcements should be used at specific points.

Strong corrugated board at reasonable prices

Corrugated board is still inexpensive, despite the increase in paper prices, and furniture made of corrugated board can be made more cheaply than furniture made of other materials.

Furniture made of corrugated cardboard stands out from the usual furniture design with its rustic, honest look. This furniture stimulates feedback from guests and visitors and draws attention to the resource-friendly use of raw materials.

Despite or perhaps because of its simplicity, the recyclable material is also suitable for the production of avant-garde design furniture. Covered with fabric, cardboard furniture can be given an elegant look that suits the respective style of living.

Corrugated board is a lightweight and easy to work with material. Furniture made of corrugated board can be built, disassembled, transported and moved without much effort - craftsmanship is not required.

Modular and versatile

Furniture made of corrugated board can be purchased ready for assembly from corrugated board furniture specialized suppliers. However, they can also be made yourself. For do-it-yourself enthusiasts who have not yet dared to build their own bed or seating set, furniture made of corrugated cardboard is a cost-effective and ecologically interesting alternative. If the budget for home furnishings is limited, furniture made of corrugated cardboard is a good choice anyway.

The versatile material also benefits people who travel a lot and move more often than the average tenant. When moving, corrugated cardboard furniture can either be disassembled and taken along or returned to the raw material cycle to start with fresh corrugated cardboard furniture in the new apartment.

Insensitive and durable

Furniture made of corrugated board can be made in all imaginable shapes and sizes. This allows the production of furniture in many different styles. Corrugated board is a durable material. When heavy-duty cardboard is used, furniture is created that is amazingly durable.

By using suitable kraft papers, it is also possible to produce furniture with water-repellent surfaces - a spilled glass of water or an overturned vase will not harm this cardboard furniture. However, corrugated cardboard furniture cannot withstand adverse weather conditions in the long term, so it is not recommended as outdoor furniture.

Furniture made of corrugated board - sustainable and resource-saving

Since corrugated board is made of paper, the environmentally friendly material can be easily recycled and returned to the material cycle as pulp. However, the sustainability of corrugated cardboard furniture also depends on other factors, such as the manufacturing method and the quality of the original material.

Since manufacturing furniture from corrugated board requires less energy than using other materials such as wood or plastic, this benefits the environment. And with smart joining techniques, environmentally harmful adhesives can be dispensed with during construction.

Corrugated board is a sustainable and environmentally friendly material for furniture. With increased environmental awareness and the growing number of home offices, furniture is all the rage. This is because corrugated cardboard can be made from reusable and recyclable materials.

These factors contribute to the sustainability of corrugated board furniture:

• Recyclability: Corrugated board consists of paper fibers made from wood. These fibers can be recycled several times, which helps reduce waste and conserves resources.
• Energy saving: The production of corrugated board requires less energy than the production of other materials such as plastic or steel.
• Lightness: corrugated board is a lightweight material that saves energy in the production and transportation of furniture.
• Durability: Corrugated board is sturdy and durable and can last for many years if used properly.
• Sustainable manufacturing: Environmentally friendly processes are used in the manufacture of corrugated board to minimize the impact on the environment.

Overall, corrugated board is an ecologically beneficial alternative to other materials for furniture.

Tables from corrugated cardboard

Tables made of corrugated cardboard are an inexpensive and lightweight alternative to tables made of other materials. Cardboard tables are easy to transport and easy to reassemble because they usually consist of few parts.

There are different types of corrugated cardboard tables for different applications and interiors. Small side tables are perfect for small spaces and are quick to assemble. Larger tables - with or without extension - are the right solution for use in living rooms or dining rooms. As desks and work tables, corrugated cardboard tables also provide a stable base for laptops and monitors. Nevertheless, they remain foldable, easy to store and well transportable.

Corrugated cardboard cabinets and chests of drawers

Cabinets and chests of drawers made of corrugated cardboard are an inexpensive and lightweight alternative to furniture made of other materials. They are easy to transport and easy to assemble, because they usually consist of a few parts that can be assembled. Corrugated cardboard is also an environmentally friendly material because it is made of paper that can be recycled.

There are different types of cabinets and chests of drawers made of corrugated cardboard, which are suitable for different applications. For example, there are small cabinets and chests of drawers that are perfect for small spaces, and there are larger cabinets and chests of drawers that are suitable for use in living rooms or bedrooms. In addition, there are foldable cabinets and chests of drawers made of corrugated cardboard, which are easy to store and transport.

Corrugated cardboard beds

Beds made of corrugated cardboard are an inexpensive and lightweight alternative. Beds usually consist of a few parts - the bed frame, the receptacle for the slatted frame and the bed legs.

The simplest bed made of corrugated cardboard is a multi-corrugated cardboard base, which serves as a base for a futon mattress. For better ventilation, the mattress base can be provided with holes or slits. As bed bases can be used square folded corrugated cardboard strips or sections of cardboard tubes.

Besides single beds, double beds and even bunk beds made of corrugated board are also possible. There are also foldable beds made of corrugated cardboard, which - just like other corrugated furniture - are easy to store and transport. The longevity of a bed made of corrugated cardboard depends on the body weight and intensity of use. As with all furniture made of the natural material, it is important to protect the legs from moisture, that is, do not transfer moisture to the material when damp mopping the floor.

Bookcases, stools and sofas from corrugated cardboard

Quite easy to make from corrugated cardboard shelves and seating. As a stool can simply use a shipping carton covered with fabric and padded. Shelves and sofas are also well suited objects for beginners in corrugated cardboard furniture making. With increasing experience in making cardboard furniture, more complex furniture can be made later.

Build furniture from corrugated board yourself - this is how to do it

1. Place all Tools and materials togetherthat you need. These include:
   
   • Corrugated board in the required size and thickness
   • Scissors, saw, cutter knife
   • Adhesive tape and hot glue gun
   • Drawing materials like ruler, pencil and paper
   • Optional: sewing machine (for fabrics or other cover materials).
     
     
2. Plan for your piece of furniture. Consider the size and shape of the room where the piece of furniture will be placed and the purpose for which you want to use it. Draw a sketch of the furniture on paper to give you an idea of how it will look.
   
   
3. Cut the cardboard to the shapes and sizes you need for the piece of furniture. Use the cutter knife or scissors. For triple wall corrugated cardboard, use a scroll saw or fine saw.
   
   
4. Glue the individual parts of the piece of furniture together. Use either tape or a hot glue gun. Make sure that the parts are well glued together so that the piece of furniture remains stable.
   
   
5. Add any additional elements, for example, reinforcements made of wood, fabrics or other materials to complete the piece of furniture.
   
   

FAQ

1. What is the load-bearing capacity of corrugated board furniture?
   The load-bearing capacity depends not only on other factors such as the number of layers, but also on the design of the corrugated web. For furniture made of corrugated board, cardboard with fine flute (B-flute) or coarse flute (C-flute) is used. Multi-layer corrugated board can also consist of a combination of different flutes, as is the case with corrugated board with BC-flute .
   
   
2. How to join individual pieces of corrugated board?
   Paper adhesives such as craft glue and spray adhesive can be used to glue corrugated board. The larger the contact area, the more durable the piece of corrugated cardboard furniture. Solid joints can also be made with a hot glue gun and metal staples. Wooden wedges used for reinforcement at corner joints increase strength.
   
   
3. Why does corrugated board insulate so well?
   Corrugated board insulates sound, impact sound and heat - a pleasant side effect when making furniture from corrugated board. The good insulating effect results from the air chambers formed by the corrugated path of the middle layer.

Teaser image: adobe.stock.com © Dmitry Berg #40675377