Design Within Reach Review, Is Design Within Reach Non-Toxic?
Across 7 graded products, Design Within Reach averages Excellent (75/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 7 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Worth buying from Design Within Reach Good or better, best-graded first
Design Within Reach
Mags 10 Cushion
down and feather fill, fabric cover
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fabric finishing
Fabric covers may receive dye or finish treatments that release low levels of VOCs during…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile dyeing and finishing can involve formaldehyde-based resins. Design Within Reach…
Heavy metals
Synthetic or blend fabrics may contain azo dyes and trace heavy metals from pigmentation.…
Microbial growth in fill if exposed to moisture
Down and feather can harbor mold or bacterial growth if the cushion becomes wet and dries…
Lower risk, but brand silent on PFAS in cover treatment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach
Block Island Sunbed Cushion Outlet
outdoor cushion cover, likely solution-dyed acrylic or polyester blend
PFAS
Outdoor cushion covers routinely receive water-repellent coating (water-repellent…
off-gassing or odor from new textile finishes
New outdoor cushions sometimes emit volatile organic compound (VOC) or chemical odors…
cushion cover degradation and microfiber shedding over time
Acrylic-blend outdoor fabrics gradually fray and shed microfibers with UV and abrasion…
No PFAS disclosure. Outdoor cushion risk depends on water-repellent coating's undisclosed treatments.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach
Sculptura Sofa Cushion
Upholstery fabric, likely polyester blend or natural fiber
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Upholstery dyes and water-resistant finishes can release trace formaldehyde; no testing…
Azo dyes (carcinogenic and allergenic)
If the Sculptura uses synthetic dyes without third-party certification, azo dyes may be…
Flame retardants
Furniture sold in the US often undergoes flame retardant treatment to meet FR standards…
Microfiber shedding (polyester)
If the cushion is primarily polyester, it will shed microfibers during use and washing…
No PFAS disclosure; cushion fabric unlikely to contain PFAS; verify with retailer.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach
Sculptura Lounge Chair Cushion
upholstered cushion, likely polyester or foam with fabric cover
Flame retardants
US furniture fire code (16 CFR 1633 and 1632) typically requires flame retardants in…
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing from polyurethane foam and adhesives
Polyurethane foam and fabric-to-foam adhesives emit VOCs (toluene, xylene, formaldehyde)…
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants in fabric cover
Polyester upholstery fabrics commonly use azo dyes, which can cleave into carcinogenic…
Microplastic shedding from polyester fabric
Polyester upholstery sheds microfibers during use, especially with friction or vacuuming.…
No public PFAS disclosure; cushion material typically lower risk than treated textiles.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach
Perron Pillo Cushion
Wool/cotton cushion cover, polyester or foam fill
VOC off-gassing from foam fill
Polyurethane or polyester foam fill may release low levels of volatile organic compounds…
Foam degradation over time
Standard polyurethane foam gradually breaks down with age and use, potentially releasing…
Lower concern; common cushion materials rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach
Sculptura Chaise Cushion
fabric cushion, likely polyester or cotton blend
Flame retardants
U.S. furniture cushions are legally required to meet flammability standards (16 CFR…
Azo dyes and colorant contaminants
Fabric dyes, particularly on synthetic blends, may include azo dyes which can break down…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester blends and cotton blends are sometimes treated with formaldehyde-based resins…
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New cushions commonly off-gas VOCs from adhesives, dyes, and synthetic fiber sizing…
Unknown fabric composition; request material spec sheet before purchase.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach
Mags 10 Cushion, Natural at Design Within Reach
Fabric cushion, likely polyester or cotton blend upholstery
Flame retardants
Design Within Reach does not disclose flame retardant use in cushions. Standard…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester blends may use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or shape…
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Synthetic dyes used to color polyester upholstery may include azo compounds restricted…
Lower concern cushion with no known PFAS risk factors.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Design Within Reach and PFAS, common questions
- Does Design Within Reach have PFAS?
- We graded 7 Design Within Reach products, averaging Excellent (75/100). 7 grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Design Within Reach non-toxic?
- Design Within Reach Mags 10 Cushion is the highest-graded Design Within Reach product we have scored, at 75/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which Design Within Reach products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded Design Within Reach products we have scored are Design Within Reach Mags 10 Cushion, Design Within Reach Block Island Sunbed Cushion Outlet, Design Within Reach Sculptura Sofa Cushion. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →