​MasayaCo crafts heirloom-quality furniture pieces from FSC®-certified teak grown predominantly on its own regenerative tree farms in Nicaragua. The company manages its core supply chain—from “Seed to Seat”—through a vertically integrated model, ensuring full traceability for almost all inputs and prioritizing ethical practices at every stage.

Blending traditional artisanal techniques with modern aesthetics, MasayaCo offers a timeless collection of indoor and outdoor furniture. Using a “whole tree approach” to maximize the use of every tree, each piece is built to last and designed for repairability. MasayaCo has earned our highest rating of “Disrupting” and is our top-rated brand in the furniture category at the time of writing.

About MasayaCo

MasayaCo is the furniture arm of a vertically integrated family of brands that includes ongoing reforestation efforts, an FSC®-certified mill, a manufacturing and design center, as well as Masaya Homes—a sustainable ADU company servicing California. MasayaCo’s primary material is FSC®-certified teak from both their own regenerative plantations and others in the area.

​MasayaCo was founded by Aram and Michael Terry, inspired by Aram’s experiences during his Peace Corps service in Nicaragua, where he saw firsthand the devastating effects of deforestation. Recognizing the need for sustainable solutions, they established MasayaCo to combine reforestation with responsible furniture production.

In 2014, the team grew to include American artist Justin Terry and Nicaraguan designer Abril Zepeda, whose local heritage and creative vision helped shape the brand’s distinctive woven furniture collections. To date, MasayaCo has planted over 1.3 million trees and donates tens of thousands more each year to support local reforestation initiatives.

Product Categories
Furniture
Attributes
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Made To Order
Products can be made to order, thus limiting unnecessary production
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Sustainable Materials
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials
Traceable Supply Chain
Brand is able to fully trace their entire supply chain from end to end.
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Certifications / Memberships
FSC®-certified
Location

California, USA

Pricing

$$$$$

Ships from
United StatesNicaragua
Ships to
United StatesCosta RicaNicaragua

Rating Summary

Nature & Animals

MasayaCo’s primary material is FSC®-certified teak from their regenerative plantations. Their ‘Whole Tree Approach’ uses offcuts, thinnings and small-dimension lumber in production, and all wood waste (sawdust, bark, and scrap) is converted into biomass energy to fuel their drying kilns. Furniture is upholstered with either Desserto® cactus leather or hand-spun polyester cord from American & Efird, a company with set sustainability targets. Indoor furniture is finished with Sher-Wood® EA Hydroplus™, a low-VOC, GREENGUARD Gold-certified, water-based acrylic finish. Outdoor pieces use Messmer’s Caribbean Extreme Teak Oil Finish, which is solvent-based. While there is no tracking or third-party certification, operations are inherently low water use. Their agroforestry approach relies on rainfall, and forest stewardship efforts protect and restore waterways across their 1700 acres. Extensive ecological restoration is carried out via the reforestation of degraded pasture land and the creation of protected reserves. So far, they have planted over 1.3 million trees and donate 30,000 to 50,000 trees each year to Nicaraguan community reforestation projects. Their teak forests support rich biodiversity. While chemical use isn’t formally monitored, their regenerative agroforestry approach avoids synthetic inputs, and material suppliers are selected for their commitment to responsible chemical management. Masasya uses 50% recycled cardboard packaging and is testing biodegradable bags. Although carbon emission related certifications are not in place, their forested land sequesters an estimated 10–12 metric tons of CO2 per hectare annually. Shipping is limited to Central America and the USA to reduce shipping emissions. Production is handcrafted and low-energy, with a solar system implementation planned for 2025.

Score for Nature & Animals: 70%. Learn more about our scoring here.

Communities & Wellbeing

The Masaya brands employ over 300 full-time staff across its vertically integrated operations, maintaining full traceability and oversight at every production stage. Employees receive fair wages (above Nicaragua’s legal minimum) and ongoing health and safety training with in-house programs supporting skills development and career growth. As part of its FSC Chain of Custody certification, MasayaCo meets the FSC core labor requirements, covering ethical practices. A Child Labor & Modern Slavery Policy is in place, and all operations comply with local labor laws. While there is no formal DE&I policy, the company demonstrates a strong commitment to local ownership and leadership. It is partially female-owned, with one co-owner originally from Masaya, Nicaragua. At its Nicaraguan manufacturing facility, management and mid-management roles are mostly held by local community members. Women occupy 50% of mid-management roles, and the Costa Rica and Panama offices are led by a female Costa Rican national. MasayaCo’s solid wood furniture is crafted without fillers. The indoor finish is GREENGUARD Gold–certified for low VOC emissions. The outdoor finish is solvent-based and uncertified. Digital protections are in place, including secure payment processing and a clear privacy policy. The company supports local landowners through sourcing and partnerships. Wood is sourced from its own reforestation projects (this includes land rented from former cattle ranchers and land co-owned with Nicaraguan families) or from other local FSC®-certified tree plantations. These initiatives provide secure local employment. Community support extends beyond sourcing and employment. By donating tens of thousands of trees annually, MasayaCo fosters wider economic opportunities and contributes to regional ecological restoration.

Score for Communities & Wellbeing: 73%. Learn more about our scoring here.

Values & Governance

While MasayaCo’s vertically integrated business model—including four wholly owned subsidiaries—employs over 300 people, the furniture brand MasayaCo (the focus of this rating) has a team of 40. The company does not currently publish formal sustainability or impact reports but actively communicates its sustainability efforts on its website. There is no history of greenwashing or destructive marketing practices. Although MasayaCo lacks a formal charitable giving program, it supports local communities and reforestation projects in Nicaragua by donating 30,000 to 50,000 trees annually. These efforts contribute to land restoration, enhance biodiversity, and support small-scale farmers and landowners beyond the company’s direct operations. Employees are occasionally gifted furniture products.

Score for Values & Governance: 50%. Learn more about our scoring here.

Product Performance

Customers consistently rate their products highly for their style and unique designs, as well as their quality craftsmanship and durability. Furniture products are designed as heirloom pieces that will last indefinitely and are made to be repairable.

Score for Product Performance: 100%. Learn more about our scoring here.

Reviews & Testing From Our Team

Image by MasayaCo - MasayaCo Reviews
Izapa Rocking Chair

The Izapa Rocking Chair is, quite simply, functional art. Every detail, from the handwoven cord to the silky smooth teak frame, is exceptionally crafted and beautiful. It’s also extremely comfortable despite the weather-resistant woven fabric that has a tough and durable feel so I can use it either outside on my covered porch or inside paired with a nice cozy blanket. But what I love most is that its rockers are shorter than traditional rocking chairs so it’s much more space efficient in my tiny house as it can be set closer to walls. They also provide a more gentle rock that makes it perfect for winding down and reading a book.

Amber McDaniel, SJ Head Of Content
Image by Sustainable Jungle - MasayaCo Reviews
Zapatera Shower Stool

With limited space in my tiny home, I have to be really intentional about the furniture I choose—versatility is key. This piece has been incredibly useful in so many ways: extra seating when guests come over, a movable coffee table, a spot to stash things, and more. The craftsmanship is excellent—it feels solid and well-made, and the finish has a soft sheen that I think would look great in all kinds of spaces.

Amber McDaniel, SJ Head Of Content

Review Summary From Other Customers

Pros

  • Numerous customer reviews refer to MasayaCo’s furniture as “solid,” “well-built,” and “high-quality.” Many customers say the build quality exceeds expectations.
  • Customer reviews also highlight the design and aesthetics, describing MasayaCo’s furniture as “artful,” “beautiful,” and “unique.”
  • Products are frequently praised as being both comfortable and functional—not just decorative.

Cons

  • Customers have noted that lead times can be long—especially for made-to-order items.
  • Some customers comment that prices are higher than average, but most who mention this also say the quality justifies the cost.

Disrupting

Top 10% of brands

MasayaCo scores 70% overall and is our top-rated brand in the Furniture category at the time of writing. Learn more about our scoring here.