Top 5 Ways Consumers Can Support The Anti-Fast Furniture Movement By Shopping Sustainably
A recent Sustainability Report released by Power Retail revealed that over half of Australian shoppers are willing to pay more for products made with ethically sourced or sustainable materials and practices. As we’re constantly trying to better support the environment with our shopping practices, this also factors into how we now shop for our furniture. But where to we begin?
IconByDesign are a family-founded and owned business, who have made it its mission to deliver furniture design that not only looks good but is built-to-last. By cutting out the middleman and collaborating directly with master craftsmen, IconByDesign are able to reduce costs and create quality furniture with a timeless designer aesthetic, which will last long enough to become a family heirloom. IconByDesign encourages customers to reject the disposable world and embrace longevity and meaningful decisions in the things you surround yourself with.
To get you started on your sustainably conscious shopping journey, IconByDesigner, Nikita Crockett shares her top 5 tips to shop sustainably, no matter your budget.
1. Choose Interchangeable, High-Quality Designs
Investing in well-crafted, timeless pieces is key to ensuring your furniture lasts for decades, or at least years. Nikita emphasises the importance of selecting designs that aren’t driven solely by fleeting trends but are instead focused on durability, and can be interchanged to fit a new trend or style.
Nikita’s Top Tip:
Keep your core pieces (your bed, coffee table or sofa) timeless and then style trends around them. For instance, if you like the colour-blocking trend, invest in a colourful rug that can be packed away or incorporated into your home depending on the season.
Nikita’s Picks:
– Change the fabric colour for each season with the Olivia – 2 Seater Fabric Sofa ($2,309)
– Swap out and store your rugs, so you can re-decorate for each season with the Tegel – Hand Knotted Cut Pile Wool Rug ($1,749)
2. Opt for Sustainable and Authentic Materials
You should think of each quality piece of furniture you purchase as a cornerstone of your home that you can cherish forever, not dispose of when something new comes along. By prioritising materials like solid wood and quality fabrics, you can invest in items that stand the test of time, both in style and durability. The key is to look at the materials each piece you purchase is made from before making the purchase.
Nikita’s Top Tip:
Look for materials like American Oak, American Walnut and New Zealand wool for example, that are more durable and will ultimately help reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable furniture industry.
Nikita’s Picks:
– Made with solid American Walnut, consider the Bruno Chest ($3,299) to level up your bedroom.
– Elevate your living room with the Greta handwoven wool rug ($749), made with pure New Zealand Wool and bring a luxurious and sophisticated feel to your living space.
3. Embrace Pre-Owned and Vintage Furniture
Nikita says, you don’t always need to invest first-hand in sustainable furniture. Visiting vintage shops for furniture helps reduce waste, and also allows you to experiment with different styles and trends without contributing to the fast furniture cycle and reducing your spend on pricey decor.
Nikita’s Top Tip:
You can begin your journey by exploring vintage and pre-owned furniture markets, to discover decor pieces to style with other quality pieces in your home. Vintage pieces often bring a unique charm and character to homes, making them cherished heirlooms for future generations, which can be mixed and matched with more modern pieces as your collection grows.
4. Look for Flexibility in Design
Investing in versatile and adaptable furniture evolves with your home as your needs change and can help reduce waste.
Nikita’s Top Tip:
Investing in a sofa, with removable parts and interchangeable, washable covers, allowing customers to refresh their space without buying entirely new furniture.
Nikita’s Picks:
– Consider the with interchangeable pieces and fabrics to suit your needs Anika – Modular 3 Seater Sofa ($4,374)
– Mix and match with the Walter Modular Sofa (from $2,699) and add new pieces as your home grows
5. Support Brands with Transparent Supply Chains
Understanding a brand’s manufacturing process is crucial when shopping for sustainable furniture. IconByDesign, for example, ensures a transparent supply chain by working with selected factories, sourcing agents, and implementing rigorous quality assurance (QA) practices.
This commitment guarantees that the raw materials are sustainably sourced, and the manufacturing process aligns with ethical standards. By supporting brands with transparent practices, you as a consumer can make more eco-friendly choices.
Nikita’s Top Tip:
– Focus on championing brands that are making a difference, and are transparent about their processes and where their products come from. Put simply, do your research!
While chucking your current furniture to be replaced with something more eco-conscious defeats the purpose of sustainability. However, the next time your fast-furniture piece starts to blister and break down, consider doing some research to find a sustainably made item to replace it, and start growing your eco-conscious collection.
With an extensive list of qualifications under her belt and over 10 years in fashion, retail, makeup, and interior design industries, Nikita Crockett brings passion and flair to her projects, with a special interest in spatial planning, textiles and digital media. Nikita is currently IconByDesign’s Design Service Lead, along with leading the content creation and social media presence of the brand.
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