Have you ever followed the latest interior design trends only to be left feeling underwhelmed? Or worried about the environmental impact of your purchases? Slow interiors, like slow food and slow fashion, offer an alternative approach to designing, decorating, and styling your home. It’s about making slower, more considered, and thoughtful decisions.
Outshine trends with slow interiors
Homeware trends may move slower than fashion trends, but we’re all still susceptible to buying the latest look without thinking it through. We might regret it later because it goes out of style quickly, doesn’t match our other furniture, or is just plain impractical. These are all things we didn’t consider when we were caught up in the moment.
Adopting a slow-living mindset for your home means creating a space that is uniquely yours. It’s a great way to personalize your home and make it feel like a true reflection of your personality. So take your time, be thoughtful about your choices, and create a home that you’ll love for years to come.
- Decorate in your own style and don’t worry about trends.
- Appreciate craftsmanship and design.
- Buy less but buy better quality.
- Do your research on sustainability.
- Take care of your stuff.
- Upcycle and buy vintage.
- Make your home for you and your needs.
Slow interiors are all about taking your time to think about how you want your spaces to feel. It’s about creating a nurturing home that truly reflects what’s important to you. Before you make any purchases, take some time to consider who and what purposes your home will serve. Choose the most sustainable options within your budget, or make the most of what you already own. Slow interiors are about creating a space that you love and that makes you feel good.
Identifying the true usage of your home and interior spaces
Kate Watson-Smyth, author of Mad About The House, says you should ask yourself six key questions before decorating a room. She says if you don’t, you’ll “end up with a room that doesn’t work for the people who live there – which means they won’t use it.”
Here are the six questions:
- What do you want to use the room for?
- Who will be using the room?
- What style do you want?
- What colors do you like?
- What furniture do you need?
- What’s your budget?
Watson-Smyth says it’s important to answer these questions honestly so you can create a room that’s functional and stylish.
If you don’t think about what you want to achieve in a room and who it’s for, you’ll probably end up redecorating sooner than you want to. And that’s no fun!
Decorating true to your own stylishness!
Do you buy things because you saw them in a magazine or on Instagram, or because they reflect your personal style?
If you see a piece of furniture or decor that you love, don’t buy it right away. Walk away, or close the tab. Come back to it in a few days, or even a few weeks, and see if you still love it just as much. It’s easy to get swayed by the way items are styled in other people’s homes, but it’s important to make sure that the piece will actually work in your own space.
Don’t rush into decorating your home! Take the time to create a mood board and slowly find the right items. You’ll be living with your décor for years, so it’s important to be happy with it. If you buy something you’re not entirely sure about, you’re likely to end up feeling discontented and wanting to change it again soon. So take your time, be patient, and create a home that you love!
Choosing quality and craftsmanship
This means choosing items with simple, timeless designs and sturdy materials that will last for years to come. This is a good idea because it will save you money in the long run, as you won’t have to replace items as often. It will also help you create a more stylish and cohesive home, as your items will complement each other.
Fast Interiors is all about cheap homewares brands and mass production. On the one hand, it’s great because it allows more people to design a stylish home on a budget. On the other hand, it can lead to a throwaway culture where people buy things without thinking about how long they’ll last. That’s why we’re big fans of slow interiors. With slow interiors, you focus on buying the best quality items you can afford, even if they cost a bit more upfront. This way, you can be sure that your home will look stylish and last for years to come.
If you buy quality hardwood furniture, it will last longer and you won’t have to replace it as often. When you’re shopping for furniture, think about how durable it is and where you’re going to put it. Furniture in high-traffic areas of your home will wear out more quickly.
Handmade items are unique and imperfect, just like the people who make them. They’re a chance to slow down and appreciate the hours of work that went into creating them. And when you buy handmade, you’re supporting makers and creatives, and sometimes even helping to preserve long-established skills and trades. So next time you’re looking for something special, consider shopping small and supporting handmade. You won’t be disappointed.
LET’S START A MOVEMENT: BRING BACK HANDMADE ITEMS SHOPS!
It’s easy to get into a disposable mindset when there’s always something new and cheap on the market. But if you really love your home and appreciate the value of the things in it—both your own investment and the designer’s—you’ll be more likely to take care of it.
Buying sustainably and upcycling
Buying furniture from antique shops or second-hand marketplaces is a great way to furnish your home sustainably. Upcycling these pieces, or your own, is another great option. It’s a win-win for the environment and your wallet!
Just like when you buy a new house, you need a little imagination to see the potential in something. And sourcing vintage or rustic items can add real depth and character to a home.
Check out the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which celebrates the imperfect and authentic. Sure, some vintage and antique pieces can be pricey, but they don’t have to be. You can find some amazing finds on Facebook Marketplace, charity shops dedicated to furniture, car boot sales, and flea markets. The rental economy is also on the rise in the interior space, giving you the option to rent furniture like sofas instead of buying them outright.
Final thoughts on slow interiors
- When designing a slow-living space, keep your lifestyle and needs at the forefront. This will help you avoid buying stuff that doesn’t work for you.
- Take your time to make the right choices for pieces that you’ll love for years to come. Don’t buy into every trend that comes along.
- Choose high-quality, durable items that you can afford. Think about the brands you want to support.
- Upcycle and buy second-hand whenever possible. Do some research on sustainable materials to help reduce your home’s environmental impact.
- A slow-living home evolves over time. There’s no such thing as a “finished” room. Enjoy the journey and let your spaces grow with you.
Peace & Harmony, Cheryl
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