Calm, Conscious, Curated: Applying the “Slow Living” Philosophy to Interior Design

Because slow living is a life philosophy, there is an almost endless number of areas one can apply this framework to. For instance, slow food promotes eating healthy and local foods, savoring each bite, and preserving biodiversity; slow fashion emphasizes buying sustainable clothing that’s built to last; and slow travel prioritizes greener modes of transportation and making genuine connections to places. One can see that all these movements are unified by taking a thoughtful and intentional approach that considers what’s best for oneself, other people, and the environment.

Principles from slow living can also be transferred to furniture, decorating, interior design, and even salesmanship. “Copenhagen has never been about high-pressure sales or rushing the process,” explains Dave Mason, a sales associate of over 20 years at Copenhagen Tucson. “That’s why many of our sales staff have worked here for a decade or more. It allows us to get to know our customers and gradually build long-term relationships with them – that way, customers can come into the store confident that they will be in good hands.”

If you’re curious to learn more about how you can apply a slower, more thoughtful mindset to the spaces you call home, then this blog post is for you. Below, we outline three possible ways of enacting “slow interior design” – through curating gradually, building tranquil spaces, and embracing sustainability.

Though it may be tempting to have all your furniture, design, and decor choices locked in right away, there are benefits to adopting a more leisurely pace. “Rushing decisions may lead to stress or possibly regret,” says Mason. “Taking a slower, room-by-room approach often relieves pressure from the decision-making process and allows us to consider what we truly want from a space.”

He encourages first and foremost getting in touch with your personal aesthetic sense and determining your desired function and feeling for each room of your home. Resist the urge to impulse-buy and allow yourself time to carefully think about major additions or changes. Though trends can be fun to partake in and introduce us to exciting new design elements, not every trend will have staying power for all of us. Therefore, it’s best to choose trends that genuinely speak to you and that you can see yourself enjoying in the long term.

Furnishings that take pride of place in a “slow home” may include timeless designs, family heirlooms, pieces that hold personal meaning, or pieces that spark lasting enjoyment for their beauty and utility. Imagine yourself like a museum curator or art collector, shaping your home over time into a space that could be no one else’s but yours.

If you aren’t sure where to start, try a timeless design styled in a clean, modern fashion that can adapt along with changes in your lifestyle or in the look and feel of a room. From there, layer on personal touches. For instance, you could anchor your bedroom with the classic look of the slatted Lake Bed, then place your grandmother’s antique writing desk in one corner. You could add an Eva Vase for a burst of joy or hang photos on the walls that reflect family milestones or memorable travels over the years.

“Don’t feel like everything has to be complete or ‘perfect,’” Mason advises. “The only constant in life is change – our needs, our tastes, and the places we live will all change, so our spaces can and should evolve over time to reflect this. Enjoy the journey.”

We can all benefit from a home that helps us relax and be more mindful. Therefore, it’s important that your furniture comfortably supports your body and makes it a breeze to unwind. Perhaps you’d love the plush feel and smooth Italian leather of the Enzo Sectional, which comes with included lumbar pillows – or the soft, cocooning sensation of the Toronto Mattress, made with memory foam and over 1,000 pocket coils.

“For me, nothing helps with slowing down and smelling the roses better than a Stressless® chair – the name says it all,” states Mason. One chair he especially recommends is the Stressless® Mike Recliner – its power motion controls provide tailored comfort, and its design also allows for a soothing rocking motion.

“Many Copenhagen clients have multiple Stressless® chairs around the house,” Mason continues. “You can put one in your bedroom, your art room, your Arizona (or Texas) room. If you have a nice view outside your window, that might be the perfect spot to sit in your recliner as you put down your phone and breathe.”

Indeed, connections to nature can play an integral role in helping us slow down and be in the present moment. Try arranging furniture to optimize outdoor views or using natural sunlight for illumination and warmth. You can also spruce up a room with real or faux plants, or incorporate pieces made with natural materials and textures, such as the Copenhagen Coffee Table with its live wood edge.

As an additional tip, Mason recommends designating technology-free zones in the house. Such zones can help us to mentally reset and connect more with the people, places, and things around us. For instance, you can set a rule to have no phones at the dinner table or create a special nook for reading, napping, or meditation where household members can take a break from technology.

Sustainability is an indispensable part of any “slow” movement, and design is no exception. “I have noticed that customers are becoming more environmentally aware, and asking about sustainability more often,” Mason says. He continues, “Sustainability is only going to grow in importance over time. Luckily, an increasing number of manufacturers are making eco-conscious furnishings that are both comfortable and stylish.”

Take, for instance, the Skovby dining collection, designed in Denmark with wood from responsibly managed forests, or Luonto’s Haven Sleeper Sofa, clad in 100% recycled polyester. Mason also recommends furniture made from bamboo, one of the earth’s most rapidly renewable materials – “A bamboo dining set like the Nani is a great choice for incorporating the natural beauty of wood while providing heirloom quality furniture.”

In addition to purchasing from eco-friendly brands, sustainability can also encompass buying durable, well-made products and using them for as long as possible – Stressless® is a notable example of a manufacturer whose meticulously designed pieces can last decades. Of course, proper maintenance of your furniture will also lengthen its lifespan, so remember to invest time into furniture care so you can reap the benefits down the road.

To keep furnishings out of landfills, consider repairing or upcycling worn or broken items instead of discarding them – or embrace qualities that reflect an item’s journey through time and give it character. For instance, many people consider patina on leather and wood to be beautiful rather than a flaw.

Additional ways to lessen your environmental footprint include buying vintage or secondhand, or buying from local artisans. For example, Copenhagen carries the Folded Glass Vase made by Laughing Glass Studio in Cave Creek, Arizona, and available in a rainbow of colors.