Where to Source Sustainable Home Decor in Bristol
Endlessly fascinating, ferociously independent and utterly bursting with inspiration for designers, creatives and those with an interest in all things arty, there’s simply no place quite like Bristol.
For those of us who’ve lived in the city for the past decade or two (or longer), it’s been impossible to ignore the fact that, when it comes to sustainability and eco-conscious credentials, Bristol has proudly been leading the way. So much so, in fact, Bristol was named European Green Capital in 2015 as a result of the plethora of green initiatives underway on home soil.
However, as all of us should be aware, eco-friendliness and proactivity isn’t something that should solely come from city councils, national schemes and European Union funds (remember those?) - it’s the responsibility of each and every one of us. As interior designers and those with a passion for flexing their design muscles, we too should all be taking care to ensure we’re doing our bit for the planet we all share.
The good news? Bristol is a fantastic place for sourcing beautiful and sustainable home decor items, accessories, tools and additions, meaning your home can reveal its true potential with minimal impact on the environment… and maximum impact on independent creators, producers and businesses in need of your support.
Let’s take a closer look at why sustainable home decor is not only crucial in 2025 and beyond, but also well within reach for those living in the south west’s vibrant capital.
My top five spots for sourcing sustainable home decor in Bristol
As mentioned, Bristol is a fantastic city for designers - every year, it feels as though more and more creatives move to the city or remain here after graduating at one of Bristol’s leading design schools. The infrastructure of sustainable producers and retailers has grown accordingly, and there are more brilliant businesses than ever before helping designers like myself keep their projects as green as possible.
Here’s just a few of my many, many favourites I’d urge you to check out and make full use of in the near future.
Wessex Reclamation, St Werburghs
Specialising in reclaimed timber furniture and handmade sustainable pieces, Wessex Reclamation in arguably Bristol’s most creative corner is an absolute gem of a business, and one I’d encourage everyone to start visiting more regularly. The fact that the team working there is friendly, passionate about their business and brilliantly well-informed also doesn’t hurt, either.
It’s the ideal place to pick up beautifully-crafted reclaimed wooden doors for both internal and external use, and you can uncover some incredible wooden fireplace surrounds that bring instant character to any living room. What’s more, Wessex Reclamation has a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of door and doorframe accessories - door knobs, handles and hinges made from a vast range of beautiful materials - which never fail to provide those perfect finishing touches. Once you start exploring their collection of reclaimed wooden items, there’s a good chance you’ll never buy new again. Website
Better Food (Clifton, St Werburghs, Wapping Wharf, Gloucester Road)
Supermarkets, as we all know, are one of the biggest culprits of unsustainable practices out there. From vast amounts of food waste to decidedly non-fair trade business models, they’ve shouldered their way into public life for decades, often at the expense of the independent retailers they’ve swallowed up and forced out of business.
Better Food - now with four fantastic locations throughout Bristol - provides a sustainable alternative that’s well worth your attention. With a significant focus on locally-produced, artisan-made and eco-conscious products, they stock a fabulous range of sustainable homewares and other must-haves. I’m a particular fan of their beautiful candles and reed diffusers (always a lovely finishing touch to any room), but you’ll also find excellent quality organic food and drinks, beauty products - including refillable items and holistic healthcare items, too. Website | @betterfoodco
Prior Shop (Cabot Circus and St George)
It says a lot about Bristol that our most commercial quarter - the Cabot Circus shopping centre - features businesses like Prior, an ethical, not-for-profit independent retailer providing a real, sustainable alternative to the big department stores and supermarkets in the area.
Prior is a real one-stop-shop for all kinds of homewares and decor items, all sustainably sourced from independent creators and makers who put ethical production front and centre. Soft furnishings - including beautiful cushion covers and blankets made from organic fibres - sit side by side with artisan-made lamps and light fittings, ceramics and plants, and you’ll also find gorgeous clothing, jewellery and beauty displays there, too.
Prior also hosts plenty of workshops, classes and seminars, most of which are focused on creative pursuits with an ethical and sustainable focus. What’s not to love?
Bristol Vintage
It may be a cliché, but it's steeped in truth: they just don’t make things like they used to. Embracing this ethos wholeheartedly are the visionaries behind Bristol Vintage, not just an online store but a thriving pop-up business that breathes new life into vintage finds. Far beyond crockery, Bristol Vintage offers an eclectic array of vintage and antique items ranging from the early 1900s to the 1990s. From unique art pieces, elegant furniture, and decorative mirrors to retro lighting, intricate glassware, and even musical instruments, they curate a collection that celebrates the superior craftsmanship and timeless design of yesteryear.
Located in the heart of Bristol at Old Market, this store is a treasure trove for those seeking something unique, chic, and oh-so retro for their home décor or to enhance their personal collection. It epitomizes much of what makes Bristol enchanting, a passion-led initiative, quirky character, and a celebration of the beauty found in objects which the world has so often overlooked in favor of mass-produced, homogeneous (and rather boring) items from big producers. Bristol Vintage not only stands as a beacon for collectors but also upholds an environmentally conscious stance by promoting the value of second-hand and vintage goods, thereby encouraging a shift from modern consumerism to a more sustainable, treasure-filled future. More of this kind of thing, please!
Your local market
No matter where you live in Bristol, the chances are you’re never far from a weekly market awaiting your exploration. Whether it’s the rotating array of market stalls on Corn Street right in the city centre, the brilliant Tobacco Factory Sunday craft market, the Bristol flea market, Whiteladies Road or many of the seasonal one-offs that spring up throughout the year, there’s always something worth your time and attention.
Markets are a veritable hub of creatives showcasing their wares, made with love and free from the pressures of unsustainable big businesses dominating - and destroying - the high street. They’re a great way to support independent creatives, keep your finger on the pulse of new trends, and even make new friends. And that, in a nutshell, is what sustainability in Bristol is all about.
Some of my favourites; Perfect for those looking to explore vintage finds and unique treasures:
St Nicholas Market - A historic market in central Bristol offering a variety of local goods and vintage items, open daily except Sundays. Visit St Nicholas Market
Whiteladies Road Market - Known for its fresh, local produce and gourmet foods, this bustling market takes place every Saturday from early morning until 2 pm. Visit WhiteLadies Road Market
Bristol Flea Market - Specializing in antiques and vintage goods, this market is held every Saturday within St Nicholas Market (during the warmer months). Visit Bristol Flea Market
The Tobacco Factory Market - Features vintage clothing, accessories, and home decor in a sustainable setting, open every Sunday. Visit Tobacco Factory Market
Windmill Hill City Farm Market - Hosts vendors selling unique crafts and vintage treasures, alongside local produce, held monthly on Saturdays. Visit Windmill Hill City Farm Market
M32 Flea Market - A vibrant space under the M32 motorway offering arts, antiques, and vintage items on the last Saturday of each month. Learn more about M32 Flea Market
Uncle Sam's Vintage - A well known destination for high quality vintage clothing and accessories, this shop brings a touch of classic Americana to Bristol's vintage scene.
Why shop local?
Whether you’re on the lookout for fresh fruit and vegetables, sausages for a weekend fry-up or beautifully-crafted home decor items and materials, shopping local really does make a huge difference for all. It’s a way to support the local economy and the enterprising individuals pushing for positive change and making their mark on the world. It’s a great method for seeking out items which put quality before quantity, artisanship before mass-production, and sustainability before profit.
What’s more, shopping local often ensures that the worst practices of mass production - I’m talking single-use plastic waste, vast carbon emissions caused by international freight transport, water waste and human exploitation - are kept at bay and have no part in your treasured interior design projects.
Is it always possible to keep things local and sustainable? Sadly not. We’re all reliant on certain companies with less-than-ideal practices in order to get everything we need for our homes… but little by little, we can make conscious positive choices which result in gradual positive change, and that’s something we should all be striving to do more of.
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