The benefits of choosing vintage and upcycled furniture over new

The world is losing the equivalent of 27 soccer fields of trees every minute to deforestation – isn’t that shocking! By purchasing upcycled furniture, instead of new, we can all do our (small) part to slow this process down and be more sustainable. DANIELLE LEE from Just Anthony explains how buying used, vintage or antique furniture, can be good for you and better for the environment too.

Environmental Impact

As we cut down more trees, the impact on our environment increases. Greenhouse gases increase, biodiversity is reduced, and homes and livelihoods are disrupted. Factories that mass-produce new furniture also use up our precious resources. It takes so much energy to make new pieces – cutting down the trees, running the machinery, powering the factories, packaging and then shipping around the world. Yet we already have beautifully made pieces that can be lovingly rejuvenated and re-used, without overusing the world’s resources.

Upcycling furniture allows us to preserve the craftsmanship, uniqueness and the history rather than piling more unwanted items on rubbish dumps and tips.

“There are so many amazing pieces of furniture already created by artisans, with skills and knowledge passed down through generations. We can take these pieces and give them a whole new purpose and make them suitable for modern living,” Danielle explains.

With gentle refurbishment – and thanks to the integrity of the original craftsmanship – they can last many lifetimes, unlike so many of today’s factory-made items.

Upcycling and Repurposing

“We frequently come across old furniture that is incomplete or difficult to restore fully. Not only that, but the original purpose of the piece may not be suitable for modern, small space living. In these cases, we’re able to make use of the parts and refashion them into something more useful or practical, or even just more decorative. This gives them a new lease of life.”

Did you know, for example, that you can turn old lattice or door panels into coffee tables, consoles, trays or wall decorations? How about upcycling an intricate 100-year-old Chinese bed carving into a wall hanging or mirror? “The furniture pieces that we source are interesting because they’re made from old parts. These old parts have now become useful again,” says Danielle.

Besides the colour sometimes showing signs of age, the restored furniture can be as good as new and ready to be used again for a long time.

All In A Story

One of the things that appeals to Danielle the most about reusing old items is that the stories behind them can live on, and can be once again passed down through families. “Many of the pieces we source have fascinating tales to tell.”

She adds that this is something to keep in mind when purchasing. “Make sure you understand if you’re purchasing a genuine upcycled piece or one that has been reproduced. There’s a huge difference.” So, before you buy, ask about the provenance of the piece – where it was sourced – and also what its original purpose may have been.

Danielle and her team know that furniture with a history needs to be preserved and shared with future generations. “As the availability of antique and vintage furniture diminishes over time, we are upcycling more and more, so beautiful parts and pieces don’t go to waste. In turn, we can all help to reduce our impact on the earth.”