affordable design

22Nov09

Photo Credit: IKEA

Places like Target and IKEA are popular for their modern and affordable design solutions. When the average person is asked to redesign a room or decorate an existing space, he or she would most likely look to cheaper places like IKEA and Target for their needs. However, due to the demand for these stores, design becomes mass produced and loses its value. It is common to walk into different dorm rooms and see the exact same bed sheets and posters, which takes away from the uniqueness and originality that the word “design” is associated with.

The fashion industry also suffers from this phenomena. Stores like Forever 21 and H&M boasts their affordability and trendiness, which is especially appealing to anybody trying to save money without losing style. It is a regular occurrence to see girls sporting the same dresses and guys wearing the same plaid button-up shirts. More often than not, these people will avoid each other like the plague so that others will not take notice of the fashion similarities. However, little relief can be provided for such embarrassing events, as shoppers need to uphold their budgets without sacrificing the so-called “style” of the time. It is difficult to live in such a society in which originality and affordability is rarely a possibility.