Finding Local and sustainable home décor

Sustainability is “in”. Not only is it fashionable, but it is also the right thing to do. But, what does it mean, and can we find and incorporate sustainability into the décor of our home?

What does sustain(ability) mean?

To sustain something, in the simplest terms, is to keep something going. This is at the heart of the global sustainability trend: keeping our planet alive and thriving by responsibly using, reusing, and recycling its resources. But, how can this extend to your home décor? Easily. It begins with a shift in thinking about the items you choose and where they come from. To help get you started, here’s some advice on how to find sustainable home décor, no matter your design preferences.

1. Responsibly sourced

Shared responsibility for the planet means selecting and buying sustainable furniture and décor items that are responsibly sourced and manufactured. It will take some digging, but you should check that both the manufacturers as well as the retailers care for and are committed to both the environment as well as the health and well-being of their workers. One way of doing this is to look for brands that carry the stamps of approval of regulatory bodies such as the Fair Trade Foundation or Cradle to Cradle, for example.

Support local because local is lekker

Supporting local stores and manufacturers is a win-win for the economy as well as the environment. While some online décor stores retail only South African products (we include some links at the end of this article), local craft markets and small businesses are treasure troves of furniture, tableware, and other soft furnishings and decorations. Many of these crafters are also happy to create bespoke pieces for your home.

As an added benefit, keeping it local will lower your carbon footprint because you are likely to avoid the negative impact associated with mass production and long-haul land and sea transport. Did you know that 90% of the globe’s goods are transported by sea? A 2020 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) study estimated that in 2018, shipping was responsible for releasing 740 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.

2. Recycle: one person’s trash is another’s treasure

Some items are easier to recycle than others but most furniture can be reused in some way. For those pieces that simply cannot fit with your new vision, you do have options apart from dropping it off at the local dump:

• Sell your unwanted items via online selling platforms such as Gumtree, Craigslist, and Facebook buy-and-sell groups.
• Contact second-hand shops that collect old goods that they sell in their stores.
• Donate your old furniture and décor items to non-profit organisations, some of which have charity or thrift shops through which they raise funds. Bear in mind, too, that trade schools and skills centres often look for old appliances for training purposes.

3. Reuse and Repurpose

One of the key advantages of reusing old items is the vast opportunity it provides to put your stamp on your new home. For example, a coat of eco-friendly paint can bring old tables, chairs, and other furniture into the new century. The same can be achieved by recovering old cushions and couches; look for suppliers of natural fabrics – locally and environmentally sourced – such as hemp, sustainable cotton, and wool.

Re-purposing, on the other hand, is taking a piece of furniture, like a retro radiogram, and converting it into a drinks cabinet. While this does take some vision and imagination, not to mention some elbow grease and skill, the results are worth it.

DIY, not your thing? Try thrifting

If you’re not into DIY, do some thrifting. Look online for second-hand stores and, of course, visit your local craft markets and charity shops. There you’ll find talented artisans that take anything from old louvred shutters to doors and window frames and repurpose them into attractive and useful items. You’ll also find new-to-you pieces that will fit any style of décor, whether classic, rustic, or refined; and often at a far lesser price than you’d pay if they were bought brand new.

Where to find sustainable home décor

Before you buy, gather some ideas for what you’d like. Pinterest and Instagram are good platforms to find décor inspiration and outlets – especially the smaller, out-of-the-way shops in your hood (or the countryside) that often don’t have an online presence. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to get out there and start shopping. There are so many options, so there’s no way we could mention them all, but below are just a few local and sustainable stores to help you kick-start your sustainable decorating journey…

Craft markets

• Country Craft Market - Hand Made Craft, Arts and Crafts Somerset West
• African Market Place | Rosebank Art & Craft Market
• Scarab Village – Craft Market | Sedgefield, South Africa
• The Marketplace – Biggest Arts & Crafts Market in KZN

Sustainable home décor vendors

• Barrydale Hand Weavers
• Shop Zero™
• Eco Furniture Design
• That Furniture Website(for local furniture)
• African Queen Studio
• Eco Lifestyle

Reach out to the professionals

Curious to learn more about how building and decorating sustainably could impact the resale value of your property? Speak to the professionals at your nearest RE/MAX office. As industry experts, we are always happy to help and to answer any questions. As suburb experts, some of our agents may even be able to recommend local stores that sell sustainable furniture and home decor.