You’ve received your keys, renovation is done and dusted and all that’s left is decorating your home. What is your strategy? Will you be rushing out and buying a bunch of flat-packed furniture or purchasing furniture without thinking about how it could impact the environment?
Furnishing your home sustainably means making your home beautiful while keeping your carbon footprint small. For some, they may sometimes not have the disposable income to buy good, lasting furniture that’s responsibly sourced. The need for cheap and quick solutions such as flat-packed furniture could do in a pinch but perhaps three to five years down the road, the piece of furniture may start to crumble. Afterward, the only thing to do is to spend more money buying another piece of furniture that may need another replacement too.
Don’t worry. There’s no need to scramble and get an obscenely expensive piece of furniture made of sustainable timber, but if it’s within your budget, go right ahead. Buying sustainable decor items for your home can wait a few months especially if you need to get the essentials first. Remember, you can always furnish your home, one room at a time.
When you’ve gotten your home essentials, preferably sustainable or energy efficient options, now you can slowly buy things to make your home a little cosier. Don’t worry about needing to ship things from overseas because there are some lovely home-grown brands that make sustainable home décor and even home furnishing very accessible.
#1 HARITH GREEN CARPENTER (HGC)
Image courtesy of Harith Green Carpenter Facebook
The man behind HGC is Harith Ridzuan, a designer maker from Kuala Lumpur. He heads his family’s 27-year-old furniture making business as a second-generation woodworker and is also the founder of The Green Factory, KL’s greenest wood manufacturing facility. This is the place to look for simple and sustainable items to furnish your home with. There are bed frames, tables, cabinets,side tables and more which are all made with simple, modern lines and of course, sustainable practices.
Find his beautifully made furniture at his website (www.harithgreencarpenter.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/harithgreencarpenter).
#2 DAPO
The best way to remain sustainable is to support local makers and manufacturers. Making your home beautiful Image courtesy of Dapo website while remaining sustainable isn’t difficult if you know where to find them. The warmth of timber makes any home all the cosier and also brings the tropical feeling into your home. Dapo is Malaysia’s first PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)-certified homeware brand. It offers a range of homeware and accessories sourced from Malaysia’s ethical tropical timbers.
Find more of their range at their website www.dapoware.com and follow their Facebook (www.facebook.com/dapoware/) for updates and for home décor inspiration, check out their Instagram (www.instagram.com/dapoware).
#3 NOKTA
Image courtesy of Nokta Furniture Facebook
Another Malaysian made brand that offers furnishings perfect for any modern home is Nokta. Making modern contemporary furniture that’s all the rage now, their practices is what caught our attention. Their furniture is made with sustainable timber which refers to timber that’s been harvested responsibly. This means that when one tree is cut down to be used, another is being planted to replace it. Products that they offer include shelving, sofas, armchairs, media consoles and the list goes on!
Find their retailers at www.noktafurniture.com/retailers and follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/noktafurniture/) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/noktafurniture/) for their latest updates and interior design inspiration.
#4 ME.REKA
Image courtesy of Me.reka Facebook
If you’re all for DIY and getting your hands dirty, no need to go out and buy expensive power tools and materials. Just head to Publika where this 12,000ft2 Makerspace is located. Me.reka is equipped with wood and metal workshops, electronics lab, textile and design studio and more! If you have the materials ready, all you need to do is to book the machines to complete your project which can be done via 3D printing, waterjet cutting and laser engraving. If you haven’t the time, you can also send them your design and they’ll make it happen with their services such as woodworking, welding, circuitry and fabricating. Did you know you could even join their workshops and find out how to make a Bluetooth speaker? The possibilities are endless!
Follow them for events and cool workshops at their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/mereka.my/) and for further information, check out their website (https:// www.mereka.my/).
TIPS
HOME ESSENTIALS: Even when it comes to buying the smaller home essentials like cutleries, plates and cooking utensils, opt for environmentally friendlier options such as those made out of bamboo, recycled materials and silicone.
