In the transition from dormitory living to her own apartment, Phantila Phataraprasit found herself grappling with a challenge familiar to many recent graduates: the quest for affordable, stylish, and eco-friendly furniture. Sustainability has played a significant role throughout her life due to her mother’s involvement in running eco-friendly lodges in Thailand.
Phataraprasit and her college friend Caitlin Ellen teamed up to start Sabai – a Thai word that means feeling comfortable and relaxed. Sabai is a direct-to-consumer furniture company that prioritizes sustainability without sacrificing affordability.
Sabai’s core mission revolves around empowering young professionals to align their values with their furniture choices. For them, achieving true sustainability involves more than using eco-friendly materials.
Their sofas, crafted in a family-owned North Carolina factory, feature Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)-certified wood, recycled fiber fill, and upcycled fabrics, free from harmful chemicals. They introduced a “Repair Don’t Replace” program and a buyback initiative to ensure longevity and affordability.
After initially diversifying into various home furnishing categories, Sabai recognized that sustainability remained the driving force for their customers. They refocused their efforts on seating, catering to those with unique aesthetic preferences. This strategic shift enables them to deliver on their core sustainability promise while offering diverse design options.
Aside from this, Sabai also understands the importance of forming meaningful connections with customers. Furniture is intimate, and Sabai recognizes that today’s generation cares deeply about their living spaces.
By amplifying their sustainability initiatives and engaging with consumers, Sabai aims to inspire a lot of people to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Featured Image Source: Medium
