How to Avoid Fast Furniture and Find Affordable, Sustainable Pieces
Furniture represents one of the most significant challenges during a move, as quality dressers and sofas are often bulky and expensive. During stressful periods, the appeal of cheap, conveniently delivered items is understandable. This demand has given rise to "fast furniture"—simple pieces constructed from plastics, fiberboard, and chipboard that are not designed for longevity.
Typically ordered online, mass-produced, and shipped unassembled in flat-packed boxes, fast furniture serves a temporary purpose. However, once discarded, its materials generally cannot be recycled and do not decompose effectively. Furniture and design expert Deana McDonagh from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign notes, "It’s of little emotional value, it’s fleeting, and it is not going to accompany you through your life’s journey."
The Environmental Impact of Fast Furniture
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans disposed of over 12 million tons of furniture in 2018, with 80% ending up in landfills. While fast furniture offers a sensible solution during chaotic moves, there are alternative methods to decorate your home affordably and sustainably, which can also enrich other aspects of your life.
Leverage Community Groups to Save Money
When Heather Strong relocated to her own place in the Los Angeles area after a separation, she felt she was starting anew. Many of her cherished furniture items, such as her favorite pan rack, remained with her ex-partner. She discovered the Buy Nothing Project, an app and network of local Facebook groups where people exchange items for free. Within a year and a half, Strong furnished her home with dining chairs, wooden furniture, and bedding from neighbors.
"I’ve had the chance to explore different areas of my own community and venture out a little. And I’ve made some friends," said Strong, a business owner. Buy Nothing co-founder Liesl Clark advises consulting neighbors before purchasing an unassembled coffee table. She recommends searching neighborhood Facebook and Nextdoor groups, exploring gifting sites like Freecycle, and inquiring within social circles about discarded furniture. Additionally, checking curbs and front stoops for quality pieces left behind can yield excellent finds.
"You will get so much more satisfaction. You’ll save funds that you can then perhaps spend more locally," Clark emphasized. Maddie Fischer, a social media manager, has furnished most of her Brooklyn apartment with pre-loved items. She found a living room chair in a trash bag on the street and acquired her kitchen table for free during a move-out giveaway, enlisting her sister and friends to transport it down four flights of stairs.
"I don’t mind when things look like they’ve had a little bit of wear and tear," Fischer remarked. "I think it gives them more character." If curb finds are insufficient, consider shopping secondhand at neighborhood thrift stores or browsing platforms like eBay, Vinted, and Gumtree. Furniture rental websites offer quality items for short-term use, though they can be costly.
Build a Quality Furniture Collection Gradually
If finances allow, it is beneficial to start planning for high-quality furniture purchases early. Pieces made from wood and other natural materials tend to be more unique, add a personal touch to the home, and have greater durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Decorating an entire home at once can incur substantial expenses. McDonagh suggests purchasing one high-quality furniture item annually. "If you’re doing it for your future self, take your time," she advised. Opt for modular pieces like shelves and storage units that stack and adjust to spatial constraints. Over time, your home will accumulate durable items that also foster a cozy atmosphere.
In the interim, make do with available resources. McDonagh points out that a stack of books or boxes can serve as a makeshift chair while awaiting a sturdier piece. Outdoor furniture can also function well indoors, as its fabrics often resist scratches and stains effectively.
Extending the Lifespan of Fast Furniture
Despite its name, fast furniture can endure for many years with proper care. Creativity and tender loving care can reduce the frequency of replacements. "I don’t believe that any furniture is inherently fast. It’s our decision as consumers whether it’s fast or not," stated Katryn Furmston, a fast furniture expert at Nottingham Trent University in England.
If purchasing fiberboard furniture is unavoidable, avoid dubious websites that may result in missing parts or defective items. Upon arrival, maintain the piece well by covering scratches with a tablecloth or repositioning it. When relocating, keep a photo of the product to share with friends or colleagues. Give it a second life by selling it in a community group or gifting it to a neighbor, thereby contributing to its prolonged use.
