Did you know: 66% of Millennials say that purchasing from a company with a positive social and environmental impact is more important than price? This concern over sustainability and a decrease in global spending power is causing us all to re-evaluate not only what products we’re buying, but how often we buy them.
It’s a cause that’s close to our hearts, as we always design our kitchens to last a lifetime. That means sensitive design to its architectural surroundings, and a classic look that still reflects our clients’ personalities and lifestyles.
Some people are calling this pro-sustainability shift the ‘Buy It For Life movement’. As we, as a society, are taking more responsibility over the lifecycle of the products we buy, we’re looking for better-quality, longer-lasting items that minimise their impact on the environment.
But ‘Buy It For Life’ isn’t just about consciously engaging with our purchase decisions; it also means considering the ways our existing items can be updated. We’ve worked on a lot of projects where we design around existing parts of the kitchen, such as the Dark Green Shaker Kitchen, which all started from a vintage haberdashery unit, as you can see below. In this instance, we even designed a beautiful wine rack to sit above it.
Looking after your purchase matters, too. For our clients, that means letting us know when it’s time to touch-up their cabinetry with a new lick of paint (which we provide as a courtesy), and staying in touch to ask any questions about the proper maintenance of their beautiful kitchen.
Maintaining appliances is key. Sadly, between 2004 and 2012, the percentage of household appliances that died within 5 years rose from 3.5% to 8.3%. But we’re pleased to report this worrying statistic has kicked some of our politicians into gear. In the UK and Europe, ‘right to repair’ laws are now under consideration, which would require manufacturers to repair products like televisions, refrigerators and other white goods. We’re in full support of this, and will be keeping a close eye on ways we can encourage laws like this to have a positive impact on our environment.
The ‘Buy It For Life’ movement is one trend we’re welcoming with open arms: buying fewer, better things can only have a positive impact on the world around us.
To read more about our sustainability initiatives, visit our materials page.
You can also give Sarah a ring on 0117 961 6471 or email her on hello@sustainablekitchens.co.uk to talk about your own sustainably-designed kitchen.
