Slow shopping: How to think sustainably when decorating your home

Sustainable retail offers unique buys with a low carbon footprint

Old salvaged timber can be repurposed for a contemporary look like this stairs design. Picture: Kilkenny Architectural Salvage

We're so much more aware of buying sustainably, both second-hand and new, with ethical practices and a low-carbon footprint. What’s less considered, however, is the hidden virtue in the finer details of buying.

Wallpaper, for example, can be wasteful, something Ruth Mottershead, creative director at sustainable paint and wallpaper makers Little Greene, says can be avoided. “Carefully consider how much wallpaper you need, make use of online calculators and contact customer service if you need help with calculating quantities," says Ruth.