5 Reasons Why You Need to Forgo the Fast Furniture Trend
Over the years, people have adapted and become accustomed to a demand for “fast” products: fast food, one-day shipping, quick washes on our clothes, in washing machines. Life in the fast lane is, however, an unfortunate reality for many people. They want satisfaction immediately or as close to it as possible. People always seem to be rushing around and usually going for the cheaper option that’s more convenient. Fast furniture has become an element of our modern life. Nowadays, furniture is built to be affordable and disposable. This fast trend in furniture has brought an oversupply of low quality, poorly made, and cheap furniture.
According to the EPA, Americans dispose of over 12 million tons of furniture and furnishings every year. That’s close to $60 billion worth of furniture! Unfortunately, much of it is ending up in landfills.
Why You Should Forgo Fast Furniture Trend
Here are five reasons you should avoid the fast furniture trend at all costs.
1. The Fast Furniture Trend Includes Low-Quality Furniture
Fast furniture has become synonymous with low quality. Most fast furniture consists of particle board covered in veneer or laminate. The lifespan of furniture made from particleboard is usually short, especially if it has to be disassembled and re-assembled during a move.
When particleboard is exposed to moisture, it swells and becomes brittle, warping the furniture. Veneer curls at the edges of furniture. Laminate finishes peel off when you clean your furniture or use alcohol-based cleaners on it. While the price may seem attractive at the moment, this will add up quickly when you have to buy a new dining table or couch every five years instead of one that could last decades.
2. Produced Using Harmful Chemicals
Particleboard used to manufacture fast furniture contains toxic chemicals. These chemicals can leach into our indoor air and create a toxic environment in your home. Glues used to adhere the veneer on furniture are also toxic, containing formaldehyde and phenol-based resins. Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. It’s associated with diminished lung function, cancer, and an increased risk of asthma in children.
Lacquers, paints, and stains used to protect fast furniture contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These harmful chemicals release when you use your furniture, polluting the indoor air you breathe.
3. The Fast Furniture Trend Includes Unrecyclable Furniture
The materials used to make fast furniture don’t disperse easily. The plastic laminate coating and resin chemical binding the particle board makes it non-biodegradable or recyclable, causing disposal to become a huge issue. They take up a lot of space in landfills which you can’t simply recycle.
Instead, you would need to burn some of the materials or use special treatment to make them decompose. However, some chemicals used in furniture are highly toxic and shouldn’t be burned at all. They should be disposed of carefully.
4. Not Eco-Friendly
Fast furniture uses a lot of timber. The demand for cheap furniture pushes companies to cut down trees faster than they can replenish them, which contributes to deforestation. For example, IKEA, a leading global furniture retailer, uses 1% of the world’s commercial wood supply. To produce cheap furniture on a large scale, you need many strong hardwood trees as raw materials.
Although IKEA has laid a goal to be more sustainable, many other furniture producers are falling far short regarding sustainability. Deforestation is harming biodiversity and causing climate change increasing carbon dioxide levels.
5. Mass-Produced
Mass-produced furniture limits you from customizing your home. You can’t match colors, you have limited options for sizing, and you can only choose from the available styles. The fast fad makes you settle for what you can get instead of creating something unique, durable, and one you love.
Forgo the Fast Furniture Trend and Get Quality Furniture Today
Fast furniture has become a phenomenon over the past few years. It’s cheaper, and you can have your couch, dining table, and bed delivered to you in just a couple of days. Unfortunately, you’re getting what you pay for: low-quality furniture that is neither long-lasting nor recyclable. Instead of settling for fast furniture, you should opt for furniture you can hold on to for generations. Check out the Tarpon Springs furniture sale for a huge selection of high-quality curated furniture for your home.
At Matter Brothers Furniture we are your destination for the finest furniture and accessory from renowned worldwide manufacturers. We bring an exclusive Florida lifestyle to you with our personalized experience in creating your distinct style, all within reach.
Our passion comes from providing customers impeccable quality that lasts a lifetime through the timeless appeal of each piece we offer. Don’t hesitate to visit us at one of our five convenient locations or contact us for more information.
