Material world
Starting with the material selection, when it comes to design, can be a great basis. The shift away from fast-furniture (such as flat-packed furnishings made from cheaper materials) has led to a new way of assessing cost-effectiveness. Instead of considering immediate spending, it is important to look at the longer picture. With a reduction of furniture ending up in landfills and the decreased need to replace furniture regularly – a quality piece, made ethically, can really prove its worth over time.
Durable materials with low toxicity like cork, hemp, bamboo and reclaimed wood are great choices, as well recycled materials used by companies like Loveitownit producing furniture created from hundreds of single-use plastics such as water bottles and yoghurt pots. Of course, manufacturers have a huge responsibility to find ecologically safe ways to build their products and deliver them to clients, but the support of customers and government funding will hopefully fine-tune these manufacturing processes.
