When it comes to defining what makes green furniture “green,” most people in the know would say it’s all about the low emissions materials, recycled content, reduced-content packaging, cardboard siding and other eco-friendly features. But how do you pick out the best green furniture from the rest? SmartPlanet.com asked a few designers to pick their favorite green furniture from 2007 and ended up with an interesting Top Five List.

The list includes four chairs and a coffee table, none of which you’ll likely find in your friend’s living room anytime soon unless you roll with upper-class eco-activists. But they do look pretty cool and reflect a growing design trend that emphasizes form and function. Personally, I like the AfterGlow Armless Double Bench. The AfterGlow is an outdoor bench with a sturdy frame and sharp, smooth features that give it a modern look. It’s made from 100% recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic collected from old milk jugs. That and the hefty $699 price tag mean you can’t get much greener when it comes to outdoor furniture.

Overall, the list is an eye-opener for green furniture fans looking for top of the line products. While the fab five probably won’t hit the mainstream market anytime soon, it’s nice to know that furniture can look good and do good too.