Less consumerism and more Green Friday to protect the environment

It doesn't make sense to us to defend and demand environmental policies from countries and institutions and then go crazy on Black Friday. At Spotahome, we invite you to join Green Friday, with no fast homeware to reduce your environmental footprint, and with decorative and functional solutions for free.

Fast homeware alternatives

You've just moved to a new city and want your house to feel like home. You may have entertained the idea that, as you're not exactly rolling in it with so many expenses, you could make the most of Black Friday. We recommend an even cheaper alternatives that will do the planet a favour.

Circular economy to decorate

There are many objects and materials that can be re-used and given a second life to solve some of your needs. An excellent example of circular economy in décor is taking industrial pallets and turning them into outdoor sofas and tables. We invite you to give it a go; you can also use fruit crates, nicely arranged, to build the living room table you need. A coat of paint - best to use chalk paint because it doesn't emit fumes and is natural - and you will decorate your home without spending much and without sacrificing style. You don’t even need to sand it if you don't want to.

Upcycling

It’s also known as super recycling or creative reuse. If your house already has furniture, even if it's old and you don't like it, you can work miracles with it. Some painting or creative techniques, such as decoupage, will work magic on them. You don't need to be a professional handyman. It's actually quite simple and the time you invest will go towards resting your mind. On the internet, you will find great masters willing to show you how to renovate all your furniture. You will be surprised!

Apart from the great benefit of having company in a new city where you don't know anyone, sharing a flat has other positive effects. On the one hand, you save money, as the costs of utilities and rent are divided between all of you. On the other hand, you save precious time by sharing household chores.

What’s more, an interesting aspect that not many people think of is that they save resources. An example would be heating. It also allows you to buy food in bulk and avoid excessive plastic consumption. It’s also ideal for sharing furniture, appliances and all the household goods that you would also need if you lived alone.

And if you don’t have furniture?

In this case, you can get the right ones at bargain prices at a second-hand flea market or on websites such as Vinted, Wallapop and eBay. There are endless possibilities when it comes to saving old furniture and updating it.

Most of the time, with these options, you get better quality furniture with higher quality materials than the low cost ones on the market. Especially the antique ones often have solid wood frames and were made by skilled cabinetmakers. Reusing them not only protects the planet and your wallet, it's also a low-cost luxury if you can look beyond appearances.

What is stooping?

It's a social movement that has emerged, supported mainly by the social media platform Instagram. It refers to people who no longer want certain pieces of furniture and leave them at the curb for someone else to use. Many users who are aware of this movement take photos of them and upload them to the Instagram account. Generally, the name of the account is Stooping X, where X is the city in question. They provide the exact location of the goods in case anyone is interested.

It started in New York, specifically in the borough of Brooklyn, but it has spread like wildfire. Nowadays, virtually every city has a community. In Europe, you will find it in almost all cities. In Italy, in cities like Milan, it’s very popular and you can find some true gems. But you can also find it in Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Vigo, Barcelona, Paris, etc.

The term comes from ‘stoop’. It references the movement we make when we pick up something from the ground or a piece of furniture in the street. There are many students and digital nomads who furnish their homes completely free of charge with this system, but they are not the only ones. Many people already prefer stooping to shopping.

Towards a new mentality

Some reactionary objectors, who find it hard to accept novelty, see this movement as an attempt to glamorise poverty. They are very much mistaken. Of course, people who do not have many resources can participate in it, but it goes beyond the socio-economic background of the participants.

Most of those who have joined are motivated by environmental reasons and common sense rather than financial reasons. It’s absurd to discard or destroy a piece of furniture that can still serve a purpose.

On the other hand, from a sociological point of view, although it’s true that this movement was initiated by new generations, everyone is involved. We can even see its influence on brands. Most have echoed its principles in their own corporate social responsibilities and are committed to reuse. Influencers, often paid by the same brands, have also started to talk about it.

Another interesting aspect of it is the ability of society to organise itself to tackle one of the most serious problems we face. Thanks to the internet and social media, the public is showing its power to join forces and tackle waste effectively and quickly.

So, if you are moving to a new city and starting from scratch, you don't need Black Friday to furnish or decorate your home. Green Friday is available every day and fulfils your needs free of charge. You just have to be patient and a little creative.