Fast Furniture Can't Compete with a Custom Approach in Interior Design
The Consequences of Convenience
Furniture sales increased dramatically during the pandemic. Sales of desks, chairs, and patio equipment alone increased by more than $4 billion from 2019 to 2021. Many of these pieces, purchased from mass-production companies, aren't made to last.
The EPA says that each year, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture, an increase of 450 percent since 1960. Often, fast furniture pieces are made from materials that are hard to recycle or repair.
An Interior Design Perspective on Fast Furniture
Fast furniture also makes a less-than-ideal impression when used in a home.
Mass-produced furniture is sub-par from a design perspective – lesser quality and easily replicated, which is why we do not use it at Lisa Gilmore Design.
That's why we source our furnishings in three ways:
Placing Custom Orders: We collaborate with independent craftsmen and artisans to create unique pieces.
Custom Upholstery: We order custom upholstery from carefully selected partners, as made-to-order pieces create less waste.
Restyling Antiques: We revitalize carefully selected antiques and vintage pieces to give them new life.
Lisa Gilmore Design Furniture Selection
When we are shopping or custom-ordering a piece, we ask ourselves these questions:
Where was this item made?
What material is this item made of?
Does this item have a history?
Is this a piece that will still be relevant in 20 years?
Here are a few examples of our process in action.
RASPBERRY PINK SOFA - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
HISTORIC HOME WITH GREEN SOFA - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
PINK-ORANGE SOFA - 1920’S BUNGALOW - LISA GILMORE DESIGN TAMPA
TEAL SOFA VACATION CONDO - LISA GILMORE DESIGN FLORIDA
FAQs: Fast Furniture and Interior Design
1. What is considered fast furniture?
Fast furniture refers to mass-produced, inexpensive pieces you can easily find in big stores. They're quick fixes for your home, but they come with a price.
2. What are the issues with fast furniture?
Well, fast furniture may be cheap, but it's not eco-friendly. It ends up in landfills, and it's not built to last. Plus, it's kinda like having the same outfit as everyone else at the party—no fun!
3. How long does fast furniture last?
Don't count on it for the long haul. Fast furniture tends to wear out quickly. It's like buying a car and expecting it to last forever. It won't.
The Lisa Gilmore Design Difference
The spaces Lisa Gilmore Design creates include locally sourced and custom elements. While some fast furniture pieces are beautiful, they are still cheap reproductions in comparison to the one-of-a-kind pieces we include in our clients' homes.
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