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Discover the dark side of ‘fast deco’ with the rise of budget furniture at Zara Home, H&M and Shein in addition to fast fashion.
The world of interior decoration is undergoing a revolution with the growing popularity of budget furniture. Stores like Zara Home, H&M and Shein now offer trendy and affordable options for those looking to update their space without breaking the bank.
This rise in budget furniture goes hand in hand with the trend of fast fashion, where consumers regularly buy new pieces and encourage a throwaway culture. Although these affordable options can be tempting, it is important to also consider the dark side of this ‘fast deco’ trend.
Is the price we pay for cheap furniture really worth it in the long run? Let’s take a look behind the shiny facade of these trendy interior design choices and their impact on our lives and our planet.
Fast deco: a growing problem
There is increasing concern about the disasters that accompany the rise of budget furniture. This trend, called “fast deco“, reflects the fast and cheap production of furniture and decorations. Just like with the fast fashion industry, this rapidly updated supply leads to enormous amounts of waste.
The impact on the environment
According to a recent report by Zero Waste France, Les Amis de la Terre and the Réseau National des Ressourceries et Recycleries, the rise of fast deco has led to a major ecological problem. During the Covid period, people invested heavily in their homes, leading to an explosion of purchases. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of furniture sold in France increased by 88%, while the amount of waste between 2014 and 2020 doubledand only a small portion of it was recycled.
Major players in fast deco
Stores like Zara Home, H&M on Shein play a major role in this trend. They regularly release new collections, inspired by commercial holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, to stimulate impulse purchases. Other new players such as Maisons du Monde and Action add thousands of new objects to their range every year, which only increases the pressure on the environment.
Comparison with fast fashion
Similar to fast fashion, there is extensive use of synthetic materials that pollute the oceans and natural resources such as hout are overexploited. Documentaries such as “Ikea, the Master of the Forest” highlight these problems, as well as the use of pesticides and large amounts of water for production.
The call for regulation
Pierre Condamine, who is responsible for the campaign against overproduction at Les Amis de la Terre France, emphasizes the need to regulate this sector and excessive consumption to deal with. Despite growing awareness about recycling and reuse, these practices remain marginal. It is crucial that concrete action is taken to address these problems.
