The True Costs of Fast Furniture: Plus, Alternative Options

Purchasing furniture is a costly endeavor no matter where you look, making low-cost options enticing. While buying affordable furniture may save you in the short term, there are impacts that can have a negative effect on your family's health and finances in the long term. What are these hidden costs? Read on to learn more about the consequences of fast furniture.

5 Reasons Fast Furniture Costs More than You Think

Fast furniture is a huge industry characterized by mass-produced pieces of furniture often sold at affordable prices online or in big box stores. Similar to fast fashion, fast furniture items are often a short-term solution, with styles that don't stand the test of time. While the price point may be lower at the time of purchase, what are the true costs?

Not only does fast furniture cost you monetarily in the long run, but it also has other negative impacts.

1. Planned Obsolescence

Companies have helped create a consumption-driven culture. An important part of this culture is planned obsolescence, which means companies create products that are meant to break or become unusable after a certain period of time. Affecting industries from software and technology to fashion and of course furniture, planned obsolescence is present everywhere.

In the furniture industry, planned obsolescence takes many forms. One aspect is using poor-quality materials. Affordable furniture is often made using particle board products like MDF (medium-density fibreboard). Particle board is a wood product made of materials like sawdust, wood shavings, and other waste products held together by binders.

While cost-effective for making furniture, these materials don't last. Even industry manufacturers admit that particle board lasts 2 to 3 years and MDF's life expectancy is 10 years. As far as how long fast furniture lasts, sustainability expert, Ashlee Piper told Architectural Digest that most furniture that ends up in landfills is only 10 to 15 years old.

Planned obsolescence results in consumers buying more furniture and furnishings after items wear out. Ultimately, this means you need to spend more money on furniture, making the lower upfront cost less of a bargain in the long run.

2. Furniture Waste

In 2018, Americans threw out an astonishing 12 million tons of furniture and furnishings. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 80% of it ended up in landfills. This is an upward trend, increasing dramatically from 2.2 million tons in 1960. Poor quality furniture simply doesn't last and has little resale value.

One contributing factor is that damage to MDF is nearly impossible to repair or recycle, unlike furniture made of solid wood. Because of this, few furniture companies that produce affordable furniture have buyback, recycling, or repair programs that extend the life of furniture pieces. Furniture waste ends up impacting your wallet and also having a negative impact on the planet.

3. Toxic Chemicals

Researchers are increasingly sounding the alarm on the effects furniture may have on indoor air quality. In particular, VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds found in furniture can cause a range of health issues from breathing issues to cancer.

In 2024, investigative journalists tested formaldehyde levels in furniture stores and found levels between 7 and 13 times the recommended levels by the EPA. Unsurprisingly, 10% of American homes have levels 6 times the recommended levels. Formaldehyde is often used as an adhesive when making MDF. 

Another study on furniture and MDF, in particular, found concerning levels of other VOCs like benzene. This chemical poses a probable risk of cancer. The study also found that lacquers and finishes on solid wood also emit harmful chemical compounds.

VOCs from furniture and building materials are prevalent in many settings from homes to office buildings. They also likely contribute to an illness known as "sick building syndrome." Sometimes chronic, symptoms of this illness include headaches, dizziness, irritation of the airways, and more.

4. Environmental Consequences

From harvesting prime materials to manufacturing and shipping, every step of the fast furniture supply chain has negative impacts.

One issue is the use of many chemicals such as binders, solvents, and finishes. These chemicals are not only harmful to humans but also to the environment. Formaldehyde is one common chemical found in conventional furniture that can sicken animals. 

Illegal logging is another problematic practice in the furniture industry. Companies striving to keep costs low seek out cheap lumber. The best way to get it is often through illegal logging from developing countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, among others.  

Alternative materials like plastic, commonly used in children’s furniture, are also highly problematic. Plastic refining and manufacturing involves the use of toxic chemicals and processes that release harmful emissions. Creating plastic is also an energy-intensive process that caused 1.8 billion metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. What’s more, plastics do not biodegrade and when broken down, become micro and nanoplastics that can harm both humans and wildlife.  

Another concern is greenhouse gas emissions created by shipping so many materials and products around the world. Packing materials such as styrofoam, plastic, and unsustainably sourced cardboard also contribute to waste and carbon emissions.

5. Unethical Practices

Finally, the fast furniture industry is rife with unethical labor practices. Keeping costs low means companies often resort to using factories with poor labor conditions or even child labor.

Manufacturing furniture can also put workers at risk for health conditions related to the materials used. For instance, some varnishes, paints, and thinners can damage kidney, liver, and/or brain health.

Sustainable Furniture: The Better Alternative for Your Wallet, Your Health, and the Planet

Sustainable furniture options can help you save money in the long run while also protecting the health of your family and the planet. What should you look for in sustainable furniture? 

• Quality materials like solid wood. This can help ensure you can repair your furniture and enjoy it for years to come.
• Sustainably sourced materials. For example, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood.
• Non-toxic certifications. Some good options to look for include Greenguard Gold, which tests for over 10,000 potentially harmful chemicals. Also, third-party certifications like Intertek, SGS, and TUV ensure claims made by companies are legitimate. 
• Water-based, non-toxic finishes.
• A commitment to the planet. Some sustainable furniture companies use sustainable materials for packaging and even offset carbon emissions created by shipping.
• A strong warranty that includes the option for repairs or replacement parts.

Although the cost of sustainable furniture may not be as low as other mainstream options, the long-term outcomes are well worth it. 

At Piccalio, we are proud to meet the above guidelines and offer high-quality, safe, and sustainable children's furniture. Learn more about how we create furniture ethically and sustainably here.

Sources:

1. Sierra Club
2. VIR MDF
3. Architectural Digest
4. Environmental Protection Agency
5. Propublica
6. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives
7. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
8. EPA: Sick Building Syndrome
9. Government of Australia
10. Magpie Reclamations
11. Center for International Environmental Law
12. United Nations
13. Santa Clara University
14. Furniture and Joinery Production