By Stephanie Shave
As we enter a new decade, many people, along with brands, pledge to become more sustainable. This not only means being more conscious of the clothes we buy, the food we eat and the way we recycle, but it also refers to the way in which we create our home.
Therefore, what we put in our home is not there just to fill a space. In a sustainable home, we need to think about what we are purchasing and what we are using to create this space. From the linen we use in our beds to the choice of furniture.
The Slow Design movement works on the philosophy that we should invest in an item of furniture which will last years and have meaning to us. This movement, which appears to be gaining traction, is an offshoot of the Slow Food Movement, which began in Italy in 1986.
Journalist Spencer Bailey described Slow Design as,
“design that’s timeless and made to last, and done thoughtfully, with intent, and with care for our planet.”
The principles behind this movement are simple: shop sustainably and slower. Choose items that are handmade and Fairtrade which will last you decades instead of buying something you will want to replace within a year.
When it comes to shopping slower one needs to think before they buy. Do you really need another throw for the living room? We often buy items just for the sake of buying and often justify our spending because it was on sale.
There has never been more choice than there is now to shop sustainably. More and more brands are becoming aware of the move to an eco-friendly home. Below you will find some of our favourite home brands with a sustainable agenda.
Decorate your home with items that are not only stylish and will bring you joy, but that have a positive effect on the plant too. British textile designer William Morris said it perfectly,
“Have nothing in your home which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
EESOME sells vintage homeware for the conscious consumer. Their modern neutral design makes for truly unique pieces. They have an array of items available from furniture to pottery. EESOME states that “taking time and consideration over the items we purchase, buying for quality and longevity, we can make small changes to minimise waste and maximise the life of the items we buy.”
Mother and daughter run company White and Green set out to create affordable yet luxurious Fairtrade organic cotton bedding starting at around £126 for a set. They not only sell beautiful bed linen but have towels, robes and scarves available for purchase too.
We love a company which believes in being kinder to our planet and Tabitha Eve is just that. With a host of sustainable bathroom and kitchen items available this is the place to shop.
The Mia collection from LSA International has strong green credentials, mouthblown from 100% recycled glass entirely made up of disused bottles.
Virgo and Co. recognises that interiors can not only look good, but do good too. Every Virgo & Co. cushion is crafted from the finest sustainable fabrics. Their designs are timeless to ensure they are something which will be cherished in years to come.
Weaver Green’s stunning collection is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Despite being made from plastic they look and feel just like cotton, wool and linen. With a variety of items available from waterproof tote bags to washable rugs there inbound to be something that suits your needs.
Upcycling your furniture is another fantastic way of creating a sustainable home. Before you rush out to buy new items, have a look around and access whether there are pieces of furniture which could do with a bit of sprucing up. Homebase provides wonderful ways one can upcycle their furniture with paint while Ideal Home Magazine suggests upcycling projects and ideas.
For more sustainable homeware have a look at the brands below:
Learn how to detox your home in our latest article with the expert Charlie Lemmer.
Stephanie Shave
A nomadic writer with her roots in Africa but her heart and imagination wherever she can explore and find new cafe.
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