In recent years, the evils of fast fashion have become a hot topic of conversation, and while it may seem trite to assert that buying a dress for a small amount of money is likely to be a mistake in consumption, the same changes have taken place. is occurring but is not occurring in the area of interior decoration not yet.
But it's hard to deny that homeware is rapidly gaining traction. From the humble blender you can buy for less than £10 on the TikTok shop to the never-ending trending treadmills like the latest products. Yakuza's Wife's Aesthetics and eclectic grandpa chicthe proliferation of items we “need” has reached warp speed, and it's safe to say that once this trend is considered over, both decorative items and household appliances will end up in landfills. there is no.
Is it possible to delay the cycle? From investigating the design process of important home appliances, best vacuum cleanerin response to the rise of the “fix it first” mentality, we took a closer look at all the ways you can tackle the trend without contributing to a culture that goes straight to the landfill.
How trend cycles have changed the homeware industry
Trend cycles have continued at a breakneck pace in the fashion and beauty industry for years, but the post-pandemic situation appears to be the main driver when it comes to increased interest in interiors.
Hannah Craggs, head of subscriptions and digital content at Trend Bible, a forecasting agency focused on predicting future home product trends, believes the home is a space that has recently changed.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
“It’s more than just a place to eat dinner, cook, and sleep.” [anymore]. It's your office. It's your bedroom. It's your social space. It's your restaurant.
In addition to that change, the rise of influencer culture is also having a huge impact on what we expect our homes to look like. And thanks to affiliate marketing and short videos, the urge to buy those products can be overwhelming.
Consequences of overdose
Research from circular economy platform gum tree This idea is supported by the finding that 44% of UK participants surveyed in 2023 were influenced by social media to make “impulsive and unnecessary” purchases.
Additionally, one in four people said they regretted at least one of these purchases, and 28% agreed they had wasted their money, according to the survey results. The study found that among those affected, an average of five items were purchased “on a whim”.
Such rampant spending leads to only one unfortunate conclusion.One statistic from the online second-hand goods market Narky It has been found that 22 million pieces of perfectly well-used furniture end up in landfill in the UK every year.
(Image credit: Canva/Future)
In the face of such a dire environmental outlook, it can be difficult to find hope. But there are ways in which interior visibility on social media can be a force for good.
“Social media has accelerated the adoption and spread of trends,” says Hannah Craggs. But it's not all bad news. She said, “What do you think? [social media and influencers] Contributing to the trend cycle was people's increased design and trend literacy. It's very exciting in a way because it's democratized design, even for people who didn't know about that information before. ”
Similarly, Hannah believes that while there is much work to be done when it comes to sustainability, consumer choices about how they interact with what they buy are by no means a foregone conclusion.
(Image credit: Future/James French)
“Just because it's a fast household item doesn't mean it's going to the landfill,” says Hanna. “Just because it’s cheap, [it doesn’t mean they won’t] I still have it and have loved it for a really, really long time. ”
The longevity of this item is also reflected in the rise of influence decline, with social media users identifying why the product is not a “must-have” after all.
Rethink your design process
Thinking about the nature of overconsumption also made me think about responsibility. How much of an impact does overconsumption have on replacing old items, especially home appliances that are likely to break soon after purchase?
I visited Dyson's UK office in Malmesbury to find out how its engineers are solving household problems through cutting-edge vacuum cleaners, and how this admittedly expensive but design-focused brand is rising to the challenge. I checked with my own eyes to see how they were being handled. It's about creating appliances for consumers.
As a product reviewer, I can confidently say that the Dyson vacuum cleaner is one of the best, if not the best, on the market that I've tried. According to James Carswell, Dyson's senior design manager for robotics, this kind of quality comes from careful attention to detail.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Bee Holmes)
In the process of creating the brand's recent launch, Carswell says his team of engineers always took a people-first approach.
“If there is a way to identify [a] There is a problem, so we accept it and see if we can do better,” he says. “Going back to my early days here, I was designing full-size upright vacuum cleaners for many years.
And I realized that those products had a lot of limitations. This means that the product is large and heavy and can only clean floors. So we continued our journey to develop our own motor technology and invented the cordless stick vacuum cleaner. We were the first to do that, and it unlocked versatility that wasn't available with existing machines. ”
(Image credit: Future PLC / Caroline Mardon)
Rather than distributing items with a short lifespan, Dyson vacuum cleaners are functional items first, before design elements take a backseat.
“I think that's probably the main reason.” [Dyson vacuums] is very impressive. For example, you can see the cyclone on the outside of the vacuum cleaner, but that's just because it needs to be there, and it's not trying to hide it. They serve a function, and the same goes for every element of the product.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
We strive to use as few materials as possible. If you keep it simple and make interactions easy, the visual aspect of your product will emerge through the process. ”
In the world of household goods and appliances, buying items that will last longer and serve you better is better if manufacturers provide the tools to do so and create products with longevity and maximum functionality in mind. It is no exaggeration to say that this is only possible.
A bright future for household goods
Participating in trends doesn't necessarily equate to mindless consumerism.in ideal house, we are always looking for ways to put second hand furniture in our houseand ways people can share how they can continue to love the items they already own.
My personal favorites are: ikea customization companywhich is smart because you can upgrade to this year's color of this year's sofa without purchasing any new furniture. Facebook Marketplace Tips.
In her work as Head of Subscriptions and Digital Content at Trend Bible, Hannah Craggs predicts a similar shift is already occurring within consumer culture. She believes a “fix it first” approach will become increasingly important as customers face cost-of-living crises.
(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)
“The idea is to move towards repairability and DIY skills. Consumers aren't afraid. They want to customize. They want to be part of the process of making something uniquely theirs. I think it's a unique element and custom. [factor of DIY] That's really big and exciting. ”
The popularity of TV shows such as 'The Repair Shop' has fueled consumers' desire to not only breathe new life into their purchases, but also to learn new skills at the same time so they can deal with their next toaster or kettle failure. is showing.
(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)
Hannah Craggs, at Trend Bible, has noticed a clear rise in the popularity of repair cafes. Repair Cafes are communities where skilled individuals help people get items back to work and pass on their knowledge. she, Repair cafe websiteHere you can find the space closest to you.
“They're amazing,” says Hannah. “They're basically social hubs, places where people can come together and manage the lifecycle of items. It's not just furniture, it's appliances as well.”
In addition to repairs, there are also innovative ways to save money and 'try before you buy' through rentals.One example I came across is frankly genius library of thingsYou can rent power tools, air fryersteam cleaners and other products for a short period of time for a small fee and see if it's worth investing a lot of money.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dualit/Anna Starmer)
as ideal house E-commerce Editor, I review many small and large appliances to see how they work in your home. I try to give as much advice as possible about what it's like to buy a product, but I can't think of a better way to research than to try before you buy. This is a risk-free strategy that can save you money over time and keep items from a landfill fate.
If you decide to invest in your own home, I've discovered that there are great resources to turn to. As a product reviewer, I believe the power of user reviews can have a huge impact on personal consumption and my personal favorite websites. Buy Me Onceis a way to make that process even more seamless.
Despite the challenges, it's possible to find ways to enjoy trends and decor moments without having to buy new things or by taking the time to think about what's essential in your home. After all, it helps save your wallet and the planet.