A Guide to Sustainable Home Décor: From Purchase to Placement

The term 'sustainable home décor' has been caught up a lot in greenwashing and marketing buzz - but once you move past this and understand the core intentions of each company using these terms, you can start to find those that see it as a trend-setting opportunity and others [like Vita Haus] that see it as a mindset. 

Don't get us wrong, we roll our eyes every time we see or hear a fast-fashion brand talk about sustainable home décor, however, we have seen it help and change the concept in a lot of peoples minds on what this actually means. Prior, you may have assumed 'sustainable home décor' meant beige, boring, or beak-the-bank minimalism. 

Now though, we know it's so much more than that. From what you buy to how you style it, making more conscious choices in your home is about creating a space that reflects you and your values, no matter your aesthetic-preference or design choices. 

We break down how to purchase sustainable homewares, mindfully and with intention - and avoid those buzz-words taking over and pushing the "next big trend" on you. 

Rethink the Impulse Buy 

We all get tempted - I don't care if you are in marketing and sales, don't love retail shopping or live a minimal Marie Kondo style life - whether you notice it or not, you have made impulsive purchases that were controlled by marketing, the placements of products or the influence of others. 

When it comes to decorating a home or space, we naturally "want to get it done". So we often gravitate towards sales, clearances or offers and then allow our previous "I want to find the perfect piece" thought to "Oh, that'll do". 

So, how do you resist that urge to want to buy impulsive pieces. How do you stop yourself in that moment and identify if it is a piece for you, when that impulsive-drive has a hold of you?

One tip we like to use it to consider the purpose behind each piece. That purpose could be functional; is this something you'll use and will help you in the office/kitchen etc. or is it just a really cute plate that will just end up in the cupboard, unused? The purpose could simply be that it brings you joy and helps to create a mood for a room or area, that you have been trying to create. 

If you answer yes to it having a purpose - then look at whether it's made from natural materials, or if it's simply mimicking the look with cheaper plastics. If it's mass-produced or is of artisan-made quality, and consider the timeless design of it over trend-hopping décor. One meaningful piece will always outlive five forgettable ones. 

Seeing your items from large mass-produced stores, also in everyone else's home? Explore our collections of sustainable, globally sourced homewares that you won't find anywhere else. 

Understand the Story Behind What You Buy 

Any artisanal-made piece, has a story. This is because there is a human element behind it - behind what canvas they choose to use, what stories from their own life they apply to their artform, their culture, heritage and what is sustainably available to them to use for materials. 

Homewares that are pumped out by machines in large factories for as cheap as possible, only tell the story of unethical practises for both the humans working there and the materials they choose. 

We don't say this to guilt you - we say it to help you connect with what you choose to surround yourself with. What you choose to bring into your personal space. After all - this is your private sanctuary where everything within it was bought based on a choice you made ... with the exception of those gifted pieces from Grandma that do come with guilt if you don't keep them around! 

We are yet to come across any sustainable home décor that doesn't carry a story. From pieces like our brass bells that we came across an artisan making in Thailand, or our linen throws woven from naturally sourced fibres and created by hand from the very first linen thread, to the final cotton embroidered palm motif.

What's really beautiful about pieces having a story is that they become a part of your home - adding another chapter to your own story.   

Style with Intention 

We've spoken about styling many times before, but it's important to remember this when considering a purchase, and how or where it will be placed in your home. 

You don't need to fill every shelf. You don't need to show everything all at once. You don't need every piece to be front and centre for you or your guests to see as soon as they enter that room. Layering at different levels of a room adds so much character that you and your guests will start to see as they sit in that space a little longer - how great to have wares intentionally placed around the home that spark multiple conversations.

Consider your walls and not just your existing furniture-surfaces. Create a mini-wall gallery that features pieces of art you picked up on your travels or inspiring travel photography, intentionally placed in an organic way with small shelves, hooks or other items scattered among them. 

Your pieces should move with you and help that space evolve - not just be plonked down. If your space is missing a statement piece, or you are looking for unique homewares to introduce to an existing area, our artisan pieces were made to compliment your style and evolve with you for years to come. 

Make It Your Own, Just More Mindfully 

Sustainability doesn't mean perfect. It means intentional. We believe that your home should be a reflection of both who you are and what you value - like you're holding a mirror up seeing everything you stand for, brings you joy and your love, looking back at you. 

So when standing in a store, browsing online or coming across a post on social media, choose your new pieces slowly. Decorate with purpose [whatever that purpose is]. Let every piece tell a story worth keeping.