Ways to Avoid Fast Homewares

It's everywhere you look, at the top of all Google searches, in pastel coloured Instagram pics in the bedrooms of cute girls. It drives us crazy how unavoidable it is because fast homeware and replica furniture is a HUGE problem. It's not only a problem for designers who've had their work copied, but for the environment, for the people making the products and ultimately for independent creative talents trying to make a living wage.⁠
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One thing we have noticed is an influx of online retailers promoting "shopping small and local" with all appropriate green-washed branding, sourcing mass-produced and replica homeware products who have just styled them cute. It goes deep and it's not cool (no matter how well branded). ⁠
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While it seems the 'avant basic" fashion trend, (that filtered to homewares) may be moving on, it's important that we as consumers are aware of fast homewares and do our best to avoid contributing to the consumption of fast homewares. Here are a few tips to help you shop more consciously if you're shopping. ⁠

1. AVOID TRENDS & SHOPPING PURELY FOR THAT INSTAGRAM PIC.

Because once the trend is over will you still love it? Instead ask yourself "what do I like, what will become part of a long-term collection?.

2. THINK ABOUT WHO YOU'RE SHOPPING FROM

 
Many fast fashion brands have jumped on the homewares train, they often don't care about how long it lasts, or the welfare of their makers or the environment. Seek out independent makers who can tell you how and where their goods were made and care about the quality of their products.

 3. GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH

Not sure if something is fast homewares in disguise?  Save a picture and Google Image search it, you'll be amazed how many things are mass-produced and wholesaled for under $10. 

 

4. ASK YOURSELF, WILL THIS ALSO SUIT ANOTHER INTERIOR?

 More and more people are renting, which also means more items thrown out on moving day. When buying homewares buy less, buy quality that will last,  and also think about if your new item will match a different home if you happen to move.


5. BUY LESS

 It's simple really, buy less, but buy better quality.