The Future of Home Decor: How to Avoid Fast Furniture

Many shoppers have been choosing to take a stand against fast fashion and its environmental impact, but this isn’t the only industry climate-conscious buyers should be concerned about. The EPA estimates that 9 million tons of furniture end up in landfills every year. So what the heck is fast furniture and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.

What is Fast Furniture?

Fast furniture refers to the phenomenon of mass-produced, inexpensive furniture designed to be quickly assembled, often using low-quality, low-cost materials and manufacturing processes. It has gained popularity for giving consumers options for furnishing their spaces on a budget. However, this popularity hasn’t come without major downsides–fast furniture is rapidly contributing to environmental issues such as deforestation, excess waste, and pollution. 

What are the Cons of Fast Furniture? 

While the price point and convenience of fast furniture options like Ikea and Wayfair make furniture shopping more accessible for shoppers, there are several cons worth considering before making a purchase: 

• Fast furniture is often made from low-quality materials that are built to be shipped, not to last. This means that you end up replacing your furniture sooner than you would with higher-quality pieces. What’s good for your wallet in the short term can end up hurting it (and the planet) later on.

• The manufacturing process of fast furniture requires large amounts of resources like energy, water, and raw materials.

• The low cost and disposability of fast furniture often lead to it being thrown out more quickly, where it ends up in landfills and contributes to excess waste. 

Alternatives to Fast Furniture

However, just as there are several downsides to fast furniture, several sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives do exist.

• Heirloom-Quality Furniture

While it’s true that traditional heirloom-quality furniture is more expensive than its fast furniture counterpart, it is also more durable, higher quality, and longer lasting than buying fast.

• Buying Furniture Secondhand

Furnishing your house secondhand is a great alternative to fast furniture. Plus, you can slash your furniture budget big-time by looking for preloved pieces.

• Do it DIY 

Alright, you probably won’t find us with a drill in hand anytime soon, but if you’re up for the challenge, making your own furniture is a pretty cool alternative to fast furniture. Find a YouTube tutorial and give it a go!

• Furniture Restoration

Just because an item is pre-loved doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Repairing and restoring old furniture is an excellent way to save it from ending up in a landfill. Google local furniture repairs in your area to find services ranging from touch-ups to full-service upholstery and leather repair and breathe new life into your home.

Where to Buy Heirloom and Secondhand Furniture

At auction, of course! We promise we’re not biased, but buying furniture at auction is a fantastic way to acquire unique and high-quality pieces for your home, without breaking the bank. Here’s why:

Reasons to Buy Furniture at Auction

• Auctions offer a wide array of unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that you simply won’t find at traditional furniture stores or big-box chains. At Gray’s, our auctions often feature vintage and antique furniture, as well as pieces from different periods and regions.

• Let’s be honest – you probably already know you’re not going to find particle board bookshelves at auction. Furniture at auctions is often made from high-quality materials and built to last. Many pieces have already stood the test of time and remain in excellent condition.

• When you buy furniture at auction, you can score items for a fraction of their retail value, making auctions a great way to find furniture on a budget.

• Certain pieces of vintage and antique furniture appreciate in value over time so buying furniture at auction can sometimes also act as an investment opportunity.

Fast furniture, like fast fashion, is a threat to our environment and the well-being of our planet. Together, we can put an end to the excess. Get inspired by these vintage furniture pieces from our archives and make sure you sign up for our Curated Curiosities newsletter to be alerted about upcoming auctions.