It is very tempting to buy furniture as cheap as possible and not to think about it too much. After all, with our increasingly throw-away culture and many images online of cosy rooms and elegant decor there is pressure to change the look of a room every so often. However there is another way: one that considers sustainability and long-term value. It may be seen as prohibitive to buy furniture to last, but if we all considered buying objects based on their sustainable credentials then we could reduce the burden of consumerism on the natural world. Valuing good quality materials from sustainable sources. Valuing craft skills and workmanship. Valuing local and fair trade. Valuing products that are built to last. This could ultimately reduce the heavy waste mountain we leave behind us.

Solidly built sustainable furniture that lasts may often work out cheaper than regularly replacing flat-pack furniture. It doesn’t even need to be bought new as there are some good second-hand bargains. If looked after well it may be sold as second-hand afterwards too. Wood is a fantastic sustainable material when it comes from well-managed forests and when the wood is used for products that last longer than the time taken to grow the tree it came from. Some older fine furniture may be considered as antique furniture and its value can grow as it ages. One final idea is to plant a tree every time you buy a big purchase to help with maintaining the natural balance.

Next time you are looking for furniture, think about the long-term and think sustainably.

To read our previous post on antique furniture click here

To read our previous post on using wood click here

To read our previous post on planting a tree click here