Shortly after we were married 19 years ago, we moved to the beach and rented a cute little cottage. The ENTIRE cottage was furnished with IKEA furniture. This was the first time I had heard of IKEA. It was colorful, fun, light and bright pine wood (or so I thought) and new! Apparently during that time, it was popular to buy a new beach condo and purchase an “IKEA furniture package” with it. I thought it was genius! You could furnish an entire home very affordably and have all new furniture delivered right to your door. Gosh I was so naive.
Fast forward two decades, and we are living in an era of IKEA-like home furnishings. You are probably wondering, “so what’s the problem with it?”
What is the fast furniture industry?
Much like fast fashion, it relies heavily on mass-produced furniture made from plastic-based materials and particle board to keep costs low and appeal to consumers seeking trendy new pieces. While these fast furniture pieces offer low cost and immediate gratification, they have a short lifespan.
IKEA is a big “fast furniture” company but Wayfair is probably the new top contender. Well, maybe Amazon too. Honestly, though, these poor furniture storefronts that used to carry quality furniture are even now carrying mostly “fast furniture” to just stay alive. It’s sad.
I get it though…sort of.
Below is a typical looking IKEA or Wayfair couch (courtesy of AI). We’ve had a few, and within a few years, they fell apart.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, tons of furniture pieces are discarded each year in the U.S. alone, much of it made from non-renewable materials and treated with toxic chemicals. The presence of carbon emissions, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals in low-quality, mass-produced furniture raises health and environmental concerns.
Is this worth it just for a new piece of furniture?
I guess with the “constantly evolving” home decor trends and the desire for immediate gratification, it keeps fast furniture going! But what’s best for everyone long term?
The rise of fast furniture has come alongside the explosion of fast fashion, right? The problem is all of this “new furniture” is made from cheaper materials like particle board and plastics. Gone are the days of saving up for quality pieces of beautiful wood furniture. Thanks to social media, the desire for new pieces of furniture at low prices makes it possible to frequently swap out décor (aka furniture).
What’s the catch?
This rapid turnover comes at a steep environmental cost. The supply chain for fast furniture is often global and carbon-intensive, and many items are treated with toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively impact indoor air quality and health. Most of all, these items are never built to last a long time—most end up in landfills within a few years. As shameful as it is to admit, I’ve fallen victim to these purchases as well.
What’s the other option?
Sustainable furniture is made from durable, sustainable materials (think wood and metal) and is designed to last for the long run, reducing the need for constant replacement.
You know, grandmas old bedroom suite? How about that old desk with dovetail drawers? Don’t get rid of them!
Quality pieces may cost more upfront, but their longevity and lower carbon footprint make them a smarter investment over time. I might have been super naive years ago, but I came to my senses eventually and developed a love for vintage and antique solid wood furniture.
Even if you don’t flip furniture, I’m sure you can find someone who can refinish it for you for around the cost you would pay for the new piece of fast furniture. Even if you have to pay more, it will last much longer and be a better investment in the long run.
Where do you find sustainable furniture pieces?
Estate sales and Platforms like Facebook Marketplace are the perfect places to find gently used furniture, keeping items in circulation and out of landfills. Secondhand options might seem less appealing at first, but with a little elbow grease, they will last waaayyy longer than that crappy particle board!
The other bonus with older, quality furniture pieces is that they don’t fall apart like most low-cost timber and particle board pieces. Yes they might need to be repaired every now and then, but it’s better than creating more landfill waste and then buying new.
Let’s be honest, sustainable alternatives present a more responsible approach right? Investing in good furniture made from solid wood or other sustainable materials not only ensures durability but also supports sustainable practices within the industry. While the initial price tag may be higher than fast furniture, these quality pieces are designed to last a long time, making them more cost-effective in the long run.
Second-hand furniture keeps usable items out of landfills and reduces demand for new resources- this creates a better environmental footprint and better sustainable choices. It’s a win win if you ask me.
Family Heirlooms
When I think about family heirlooms that are passed down generations, I think about some really beautiful furniture pieces. These are solid wood statement pieces that I hope my kids and grandkids will have one day! You can’t say that about fast furniture.
I hope I’ve given you a few things to think about today, whether you are for or against fast furniture.