While we just celebrated Earth Day, caring for the environment should be a priority every day. As we all become more conscious of our impact on the environment, it becomes easier to shop sustainably and make ethical choices when it comes to our home decor, clothes, the products we use, and our lifestyles. By supporting eco-friendly companies that strive to be carbon neutral, you are making a lasting positive impact on the planet.
While there are endless small changes that you can make when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, we’re focusing on those that relate to decorating your home. If we all do our small part, we can preserve and protect this place we call home.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
The best way to shop sustainably is to choose quality over quantity. So many people get caught in the cycle of purchasing inexpensive furniture, trendy clothes, and poorly made goods that they use for a few months and then throw away. While this attitude towards purchasing may save you money in the short term, it won’t in the long run.
Instead, invest in high-quality pieces that you will not only enjoy more but will keep for much longer. Well-made furniture pieces can often be handed down through generations, avoiding the landfill, saving you money, and bringing joy to your family for many years.
Reupholster Your Furniture
Instead of springing for a new sofa when you are moving or redecorating, choose new fabrics and have it reupholstered. Often, your furniture is not the problem, it’s just that the upholstery gives it a dated or worn look. By reupholstering, you give your furniture a facelift that can completely revitalize a room. This not only saves your furniture from the landfill but also saves you money.
We have design centers at all of our GDC furniture stores in Charleston, SC, so that you can choose your desired fabric in person with the help of one of our expert designers. Our wide range of performance fabrics from companies like Inside Out, Crypton, and Lee Industries are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Shop for Eco-Friendly Materials
Natural materials like jute, bamboo, hemp, linen, and organic cotton are very popular right now, which is great news for the environment. Natural fabrics require less energy to produce than synthetic ones and create less harmful chemical waste. They are also biodegradable, so do not have the consequence of leaving microplastics behind.
A gorgeous natural rug like our Milo Ivory Woven Jute/Cotton Rug will brighten any room and is durable so you’ll get a lot of use out of it without seeing wear and tear. This is particularly important if you have kids and pets running around!
Shop Locally
It’s so easy to order things online these days, but there is more than one benefit of shopping the old-fashioned way — in-store. For one, it’s preferable to see what you are purchasing, especially when it comes to selecting fabrics and viewing large pieces of furniture.
In terms of sustainability, it’s also better to shop locally in person as you will avoid the extra packaging and energy expenditure of shipping the item to your door. Finally, by shopping locally at Charleston furniture stores, you are supporting the local economy and the people you know in your own community.
Support Sustainable Companies
Of course, wherever you shop, do some research about the company and its practices for sustainability. Sustainability has become a buzzword in nearly every industry, so it’s essential to look into what companies are actually doing to know if you are actually contributing to something good.
At our home furniture stores, we’re proud to say that we have installed state-of-the-art solar technology, high SEER HVAC units, ceiling batt insulation, infrared reducing window film, 100% LED lighting, motion-activated lighting, and wifi controlled and programmable thermostats. By prioritizing energy efficiency, we have become a sustainable energy leader for furniture stores in Charleston, SC, and beyond.
GDC’s Commitment to Sustainability
Over the past five years, we have installed a full-fledged Solar Energy System in our two largest stores. Our 70,000 square foot flagship store/office/distribution center at 1290 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard has had three separate solar installations and is now 100% carbon neutral. We no longer require any electricity from Dominion Energy to power the site.
Our 25,000 square foot location at 695 Coleman Boulevard In Mt. Pleasant has received two solar installations and is presently 75% carbon neutral. We expect to install a third phase later in 2021 that will bring this facility to full carbon neutral. By supporting our Charleston furniture stores, you are backing overall ecosystem preservation, supporting energy-efficient initiatives, and in turn advocating for an all-around healthy planet.
