It's the big moving season and who says new home says irresistible desire to build a new cocoon where life will be good.
Unfortunately, the sudden urge to put your new home in your image sometimes rhymes with waste and overconsumption , which is harmful for the planet and let's be honest, your wallet!
Did you know that each Canadian spends an average of $3,720 annually on superfluous goods (Radio-Canada)? That's why we thought we'd bring you some ideas to inspire you to be more aware and reasonable in your choices:
- Prioritize quality over quantity
- Prioritize timeless pieces and pay attention to trends
- Reuse what you already have or restore old items instead of buying new
- Check on the side of the second-hand market
- Plan and reflect on your decor by creating mood boards and drawing inspiration from Pinterest
- Take the time to find favorites
- Prioritize local businesses.
Want to know more? Keep reading! We invite you to use this guide as a reference during your move, or to share it with people around you who are in this situation!
Quality / quantity
You've probably heard that it's better to bet on quality rather than quantity . In this era of overproduction and overconsumption, it's easy to get sidetracked and let low prices dictate our final choice when it comes to shopping for decorative furniture and accessories.
Taking the time to compare the durability of the materials used, the conception and the design is however a very important step in order to make an informed choice. For example, solid hardwood is much stronger and more durable than soft wood like pine or, even worse, MDF often used to imitate wood.
Our parents and grandparents still have furniture dating from their marriage, with simple and timeless lines , which they have sometimes refreshed over the years and which are still in superb condition. The quality still exists today, you just have to shop in the right place!
Timeless / trends
Making choices that will stand the test of time is also important. The trends pushed by society often lead us to want to get the novelty of the moment which, in a few months or years, will be replaced by another passing fad .
“It wasn't expensive, it doesn't matter if I get bored. We will replace him. »
“I found this one to replace the one I'm tired of. »
Do these thoughts sound familiar?
For example, the arch shape is currently very trendy: we see it in architectural details, on accessories, but also on furniture. Why not just paint an arch on the wall if you really want to follow this trend? It will be much more economical and eco-friendly to repaint in a few years, rather than changing furniture when you get tired of it.
Reuse and move
The popular thought is that a move = new start = new decor. However, moving shouldn't involve getting rid of everything and buying new.
Sometimes the space is completely different from one home to another, letting your creativity flow and moving the room items can be the solution without having to spend a penny!
Recovered and restore
The second-hand market has become increasingly popular in recent years and it has become easy to find pieces with timeless designs and quality.
It is an economical and eco-responsible practice. It is the same for the restoration of furniture and accessories, such as, for example, modifying the appearance of a vase or a chest of drawers.
Plan and visualize
The many choices to be made during a move can be as exciting as they are dizzying. To make sure you don't get lost, we suggest you create a moodbard to get an overview.
We use the Canva app to do ours, importing photos of our items or using the available image bank. This makes it easier to view and conduct trials that won't require unnecessary purchases, refunds, and travel.
Once your moodboard has been created, you can take the time to find the favorite object that will perfectly complement your decor. There's no hurry , the layout of a space can change over time and that's perfect.
local purchase
You haven't found any second-hand items or items to revitalize and you still have a new space to fill? Buying locally is then a responsible solution.
It is sometimes more difficult to find what you want, but the result will be worth the effort! As a bonus, a great sense of accomplishment and pride in having found a piece designed close to home and contributing to the local economy .
Here are some options to make your search easier:
-The blue basket
-The 1840 factory x Maison Simons
-The right basket
-Etsy (select your province in the search filters)
-Ask for suggestions from those around you
-Go to shops offering local products
We believe that as a responsible consumer, we must question ourselves and analyze our behavior . If we constantly want a change of scenery, it may be because we don't take the time to properly analyze our needs, use what we already have and choose what we buy.
What are your tips for limiting waste and overconsumption during seasonal moves or changes of decor?
Meggie Dufour &
Mouvance.co