The Rise of Slow Interiors: How Chinese Antiques Support Sustainable Living

At Shimu, we’ve always believed that the spaces we live in should be created to value craftsmanship, longevity and care for the world around us. As more people look for ways to live sustainably, many are turning towards what’s often called “slow interiors”. This movement focuses on making mindful choices that last a lifetime, rather than quick fixes that soon lose their appeal. Chinese antiques fit perfectly within this approach, offering beauty, durability and a genuine respect for materials and tradition.

Antique Furniture: A Sustainable Choice

Investing in antique furniture is one of the most practical ways to furnish a home sustainably. Each piece has already stood the test of time, meaning that no new trees are felled, no new resources are extracted and no factories are required to produce it. As well as that, choosing antiques over mass-produced furniture reduces waste and demand for newly sourced materials. In essence, every antique cabinet, table or chair that finds a new home is one less piece of furniture destined for landfill.

The antique Chinese furniture we carefully choose and have restored by skilled craftsmen, offers hundreds of years of history in its frame and finish. The elm, pine, walnut and poplar used to make these pieces were felled generations ago and seasoned naturally over time. These woods were chosen for their strength and grain, then shaped using frame and panel construction and mortise-and-tenon joints, a traditional technique that requires no nails or screws, but still holds solid centuries later – the cheap plastic fixings from flat-pack furniture are nowhere to be seen in this furniture! This traditional craftsmanship results in furniture that is durable, practical and simple in its design.

Furniture Designed and Built to Stand the Test of Time

In comparison to antique furniture, much of today’s mass-produced furniture is designed for speed rather than longevity. Modern manufacturing relies heavily on composite woods, adhesives and plastics, many of which cannot be recycled. While they may look the part at first, these pieces often deteriorate quickly, and repairs can be difficult or impossible. The environmental impact of producing and discarding such items is significant, contributing to deforestation, energy consumption and landfill waste.

Chinese antiques take the opposite approach. A well-made cabinet from the Qing period, for instance, it still useful as functional storage today, just as it was a hundred years ago. Its clean lines and balanced proportions make it timeless, working equally well in both traditional and modern interiors. Because these designs were based on harmony and proportion rather than passing fashion, they continue to suit a wide range of homes and tastes.

Restoration Versus Replacement

Restoring rather than replacing is at the heart of sustainable living. At Shimu, each antique we source is carefully cleaned and repaired to bring back its original character without erasing the marks of its age. The slight variations in colour, texture and form are what make these pieces special. Every repair is a continuation of the object’s history, offering a reminder that quality craftsmanship can and should last for generations.

There’s also something satisfying about living with a piece of furniture that has already lived a long life. Chinese antiques were made for real use; for eating, storing, sitting and gathering, and they continue to serve those same purposes now. They remind us that furniture doesn’t have to be disposable: instead, it can be something to live alongside and appreciate for years to come.

Slow interiors invite us to think differently about our surroundings by encouraging patience, appreciation and connection with the things we choose to bring into our homes. Chinese antiques embody these values, combining elegance, history and sustainability in a way few modern pieces can match.