Yep, that's cardboard

Furnishing a home is a daunting and expensive endeavour. And while we'd all love to carefully shop for that perfect piece, and save up until we can afford it, it can be tricky to make do without some key pieces to get you started.

For an alternative to the milk crate and dumpster diving I did to furnish my first place, there's a new line eco-friendly cardboard furniture from YUP, launched at the Green Living Show the end of April.

The furniture is made from recycled (and recyclable) cardboard fibre, a durable, mouldable product they discovered while working with students in McMaster University's Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program.

The furniture lines include pieces for any space and are available in a natural khaki tone (the Innovation Line) or can be painted, silkscreened or decorated with fabric (the Xpression Line).

The dining set, which includes six soft back seats with recycled paper fabric upholstery, retails for $1,199. Other available pieces include sofas for $459 to $789, a sectional for $999, and beds, including headboard, from $200 to $380.

YUP will be opening its online shop and first YUP Xpression Centre in Mississauga in June, retailing the fibre furniture as well as YUP green home information and other eco lines.