What Is Fast Furniture?

Cheap, trendy clothing that can be discarded after a few washes—this is the fast fashion model. Another industry shares this approach of mass-producing ultra-low-cost products designed for easy replacement: fast furniture.

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Unlike earlier times when furniture was expensive and built to last, today's chairs, tables, and couches are often mass-produced and end up in landfills after just a few years.

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The Fast Furniture Model

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Mass-produced, relatively inexpensive, difficult to repair, and easy to dispose of—these are the hallmarks of the fast furniture model.

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Brands like IKEA and Wayfair have perfected this model, and Amazon is attempting to replicate it with its in-house brands, such as Rivet and Stone & Beam.

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Also read: Sustainable Alternatives to Amazon

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These brands import this furniture from countries like China and optimize it for speed and lightness rather than durability.

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They use cheaper materials like softwood frames, springs that aren't hand-tied, and lightweight foam cushions. This allows them to churn out tons of different designs and ship them across the globe easily.

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But these furniture pieces don't last long. After just a year or two, you might find them cracking, springs popping out, and cushions going flat. A professor estimates that today’s fast furniture is designed to last five years.

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These items also cannot survive a move, and when they break, the chipboard, upholstery, and metals all end up in the landfill trash. It's the price we pay for cheap, trendy furniture.

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This results in overflowing landfills. In 2018, furniture accounted for 4.1% of landfill waste (12.1 million metric tons), compared to 2.2 million metric tons in 1960.

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Sustainable Alternatives to Fast Furniture

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A sustainable alternative to fast furniture is buying high-quality second-hand furniture. It's affordable, helps keep existing furniture out of landfills, and prevents more trees from being cut down to create new pieces.

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These pieces are also healthier, as they're typically made from solid wood rather than particle board. Any volatile organic compounds from their manufacture or finishing have likely dissipated years ago.

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Also, second-hand furniture adds warmth, comfort, and rustic charm to your space, qualities that fast furniture often lacks.

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Also read: How to Pick a Sustainable Couch

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Consider brands like Chairish and AptDeco that promote sustainable living through the resale of pre-owned and vintage items.

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You can also explore rental furniture subscription services from brands like Fernish, which allows you to pay month-to-month for high-quality furniture items.

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If you are looking to buy a new piece of furniture, check out sustainable brands such as Sabai, Mast Furniture, and Grain.

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