The trend of ‘fast homeware’ has resulted in one in six individuals revamping their home decor annually, leading to millions of perfectly usable items being discarded into landfill. A study involving 2,000 adults discovered that a staggering 62% have disposed of homeware items that were in good enough condition to be donated to charity.

Furthermore, 26% of the participants feel that homeware trends are evolving at an increasingly rapid pace. Over half (57%) regularly purchase new items, with the primary reasons being the desire to keep their styling fresh (38%), to boost their mood (23%), and to keep up with current trends (13%).

Despite the rise in purchasing frequency, 40% of the adults surveyed in the British Heart Foundation poll do not consider the environmental impact when buying new homeware products. The research was conducted to promote ‘slow-ware’ – the practice of buying pre-loved homeware before purchasing new items and donating what is no longer needed.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, representing the charity, stated: “Most of us are aware of the impact that fast fashion has on the environment, but don’t think about this when it comes to homeware. Items like mirrors and sideboards might fall out of favour in your home, but they’re that missing piece in someone else’s home. When refreshing your homeware, consider buying second hand first – our home stores are continually restocked and could have just what you’re looking for.”

According to new data, over half of UK homeowners change items and decorations seasonally. However, this frequent rotation leads to many unused or unwanted items lying around. Shockingly, despite the frequent turnover, 27% confessed to never having made a second-hand purchase. A further 29% said they only buy second-hand rarely.

On the bright side, those that do opt for second-hand purchases often feel rewarded, with 56% saving money, while 37% boast finding more distinctive items. A solid third of these bargain-hunters, based on a OnePoll.com survey, also opted for used items because it’s more sustainable.

As we continue to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, price rules in homeware shopping, with 60% of respondents saying it’s key when making purchases. Style (44%) and functionality (40%) come close behind.

Despite reflecting on their wasteful habits, half of the participants wished they altered their home decor more regularly. To encourage the trend towards sustainability, British Heart Foundation has showcased an array of second-hand products to demonstrate how stylish and budget-friendly second-hand pieces can be.

Allison Swaine-Hughes concluded: “We’ve made it easy to stop quality pieces from going into the bin. These days you can book home collections, post them to us or drop them into your local shop – and the best bit, you’ll be funding lifesaving research. And when considering your next purchase, always consider shopping second hand before buying new. It’s a better decision for your wallet and the environment.”

CASE STUDY

Sarah Cromwell, 51, a freelance art director from London, has filled her home with vibrant colours and pre-loved items she’s found in charity shops. She combines these second-hand treasures with new products from other stores and car boot sales, and has even stumbled upon the occasional gem in a skip.

Sarah aims to create colour themes in each room of her house, selecting intriguing smaller homeware pieces, accessories and textiles to tell a specific colour story. Whether it’s a throw, a cushion, vintage curtains, a picture frame or an unusual trinket that catches her eye, Sarah uses these items to add character to her rooms. When she feels like refreshing a room, she has a plethora of items to choose from to give it a new look.

Sarah shared: “I used to have an all-yellow – very happy bedroom – that’s now changed to calming Mediterranean peachy plaster. With another neutral bedroom, I re-purposed my yellow accent pieces, lampshades, bowls and other trinkets with some bold vintage purple curtains, to create a whole new 60’s pop guest room.”

“My boho 70’s luxe living room is a blend of peach, cream and damson with a hint of whisky orange. It demonstrates how a unique colour palette can come together to create a distinctively warm and cosy space the small items in the room really tie it all together.”

“One piece of advice I’d give is to have a precise shade in mind. For instance, ‘yellow’ could be mustard, neon yellow, or pastel yellow.” If you know the exact shade and stick to it when shopping, you can be sure that everything will match, no matter what room you place them in. It’s like having a ready-made story waiting to be rewritten.”

TOP TIPS TO REVAMP YOUR HOME

1. Choose a colour, or combination of colours that you adore and go for it!

2. Draw colour inspiration from a painting, print, photograph, or vibrant textiles.

3. Paint swatches are fantastic tools for experimenting with colour combinations.

4. Incorporating trinkets and smaller items can add those final touches.

5. Know the exact shade of colour to ensure everything coordinates… blue isn’t just blue, it could be navy, turquoise, teal or something else.

6. Don’t hesitate to shop ‘off-grid’ at charity shops, car boot sales and jumble sales. You might be surprised by the unusual and unique pieces you find.

7. Shops like the British Heart Foundation, which sell homewares, can be treasure troves of items to cherish.

8. If you grow tired of the colour scheme, consider packing them away for storage or donating it all to your local charity shop. It could be a ready-made new look for someone else’s home.