More and more people are moving away from fast furniture and getting into a mixed up approach to furnishing their homes. Vintage finds, second-hand steals and furniture rental are all part of this ‘patchwork’ shift towards a more sustainable, flexible (and cool) way of living.
At Poppy, we’re pretty much obsessed with this. Last week, we headed to Hackney Flea Market to see what’s trending and chat with shoppers about how they’re curating their spaces in a way that’s both personal and planet-friendly.
Why fast furniture is on the way out
We’ve called it: fast furniture is the homeware equivalent of fast fashion. It’s cheap and often (sorry) nasty. The result? Over 22 million pieces of furniture are discarded in the UK every year, many of them ending up in landfill.
Thankfully, people are rethinking the way they furnish their homes, looking for pieces with character, quality and longevity, which explains the boom in vintage and secondhand furniture. Solid wood, unique craftsmanship and timeless design are winning over MDF and throwaway trends. And we’re here for it.
What we learned at Hackney Flea Market
Since launching in 2013, Hackney Flea Market has been a go-to for vintage lovers, bringing together independent sellers with an eye for pre-loved treasures. We spoke to shoppers about how they’re making sustainable furniture choices, and here’s what we found:
- People want furniture that lasts. Whether moving house or just evolving their style, buyers are prioritising quality pieces that will stand the test of time.
- Vintage rules when it comes to character. Smaller items like side tables, mirrors, and lighting are perfect for injecting personality into a space, and they tend to hold their value better than new, mass-produced alternatives.
- Big-ticket items are trickier. Sofas, beds, and mattresses are a different story. That’s why many people prefer to buy new or rent these pieces rather than go secondhand.
- Selling on can be a headache. Buying secondhand is one thing, but selling? That’s another. Finding buyers, organising collections and dealing with no-shows puts a lot of people off.
The case for renting
So, where does furniture rental fit into all this? The answer: right alongside vintage and secondhand. It’s not a case of one or the other. Mixed up and interesting? Yes. A more circular, conscious way to furnish our homes? Yes again.
While vintage is perfect for smaller, statement pieces, renting fills the gaps, offering high-quality, flexible furniture ideas for the things that need to suit your home and your life right now. A sofa that actually fits your space. A bed you don’t have to lug up three flights of stairs. A way to refresh your interiors without waste.
With Poppy, you can mix and match, combining timeless vintage with rental flexibility, and all without the landfill guilt. Because great furniture shouldn’t be throwaway, should it?