"I’ve always preferred to spend my discretionary funds on home goods over clothes, but as I slip further into my 30s, I find myself more conscious than ever of who and what exactly my hard-earned money is supporting. Opting for ethically sourced products is certainly an investment, but it’s an investment beyond what’s beautiful in your home or your closet: It’s an investment in a better life for someone else and a better life for our planet. Shopping for vintage and thrifted finds is one of the most affordable ways to shop ethically, but there are, of course, some goods that are best purchased new, not to mention incredible artisans that you can support in the process.
Below, we’ve rounded up 20 incredible ethically sourced goods for the home, from practical cleaning accessories to gorgeous stemware fit for a dinner party.
Unless you live under a rock (or just, you know, off of Instagram), you’ve probably heard of the Our Place Always Pan. At $145, the price can certainly feel steep, but this BIPOC, woman-owned business ensures all of their factories are paid above living wages, have benefits, and are treated well, which they confirm with factory visits, interviews with teams, and third party audits. When it comes to the pan itself, this beauty comes in an assortment of gorgeous, unconventional colors and promises to do the job of up to eight different traditional pieces of cookware.
You may be surprised to know that West Elm was actually the first-ever home retailer to join Fair Trade USA, meaning that they ensured workers had fair wages, healthy working conditions, and community development. They’ve invested $13.2 million dollars in small American-made businesses and $200 million in artisan communities and local craftspeople. This stunning stoneware dinner set is made in Portugal by local designer Aaron Probyn.
I’m a big believer in adding a bit of luxury to everyday chores to make them a bit more palatable. Laundry is my least favorite responsibility, so the more enjoyable I can make it, the more likely I won’t wear the same unwashed leggings for days on end. These dryer balls are made from cruelty-free New Zealand wool and are a natural alternative to fabric softener and dryer sheets. They speed up drying time, remove static and lint, and make your sheets and towels feel like clouds.
Even though I love everything Parachute has to offer, I’m going to take this moment to highlight their Cloud Cotton Quilt because I don’t think people appreciate quilts enough. This one is so soft with a chic texture, and you don’t have to go through the arduous task of taking the duvet cover off and on to wash. Parachute partners with the United Nation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to send life-saving, malaria-prevention bed nets to those in need and works with artisans from Portuguese craftspeople to a fourth-generation American mattress maker. Plus, they're Oeko-Tex certified, which means their products are safely made without any harmful chemicals or synthetics.
Founded by women to empower women, The Little Market is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to poverty alleviation. They have so many gorgeous finds, but I particularly love these hand-etched recycled wine glasses. The attention to detail makes any ol’ Wednesday night with TJ’s Two-Buck Chuck feel like you’re living in the lap of luxury.
I love a good nightly ritual, and this tea strainer mug is the perfect accessory to a cozy pajama set. Switching to loose leaf tea helps reduce waste, and this guy makes that a breeze. Made in Nepal, it’s handcrafted by artisans working with Sana Hastakala, a Nepalese fair trade organization. They work with independent producers (mainly women) across the country.
Another darling find from Ten Thousand Villages, this tablecloth is block-printed by hand, thanks to artisans working with Asha Handicrafts Association, who provides opportunities for artisans in and around Mumbai. A great tablecloth is one of my favorite ways to elevate an impromptu dinner party, and this one’s on my list.
I want several of these in every color. I have a tapered candle addition and usually just grab a couple of backs on my weekly grocery store run, but I’m thinking I’ll stock up on these for a special occasion. These beauties are handmade in the USA and made of natural soy and beeswax.
I’ve been recommending this pillow cover to everyone I know lately. It’s such a pretty pattern that works with so many styles, and it truly elevates your space. I love supporting small businesses on Etsy, and this one has racked up so many great reviews.
Do you need a bread warmer? Yes. Imagine a dinner party with hot-from-the-oven, crusty Italian bread served atop this terracotta warmer, or perhaps it's Taco Tuesday, when you can use it to keep your tortillas fresh for the table. The bread warmer is naturally insulating, and the basket itself is handwoven from sustainably grown seagrass by artisans in Bangladesh.
Made in Mexico, this oven-safe clay casserole dish comes with a woven palm holder. Oven-safe clay makes for a stylish and practical cooking vessel. The sale of this product supports development and employment opportunities for vital indigenous communities in the Sierra de Guerrero region.
I can’t stop thinking about this Soapstone Bottle Cooler. Would you just look at it? Soapstone’s natural properties keep your wine icy cold at the table (or on the coffee table, bath tub, nightstand—the world is your oyster), so it’s a perfect accompaniment to an evening with friends and family. Each wine cooler is hand-chiseled by artists in a fair trade environment in Kenya’s Tabaka Hills.
Most of Coyuchi’s cotton is Fair Trade Certified, meaning that their partners provide traceable and transparent supply chains and promise sustainable livelihoods for those who create their products. I’ve sworn off paper napkins completely and only use “real” napkins these days, and it’s honestly such a game changer. It elevates even my coffee table-style dinners, and I love knowing that I’m not contributing to excess waste.
This Shakerbraid broom is honestly gorgeous enough to hang on the wall, and I’d recommend it. It’s crafted by Berea College students using Appalachian methods, is plastic-free, and will truly stand the test of time.
My oven mitts currently have holes in them (how? why?), so I’m definitely due for an upgrade and have been eyeing these. They’re made from GOTS-certified cotton, and I love that they have a strap that can be used to hang them up.
This 100 percent French flax linen sheet set from Sunday Morning offers expert weaving, minimal seaming, and pre-stonewashing for a broken-in softness that’s hard to beat. Sunday Morning is a BIPOC female-owned business and sources from ethical manufacturers, using only sustainable fabrics.
Repose Home launched during the pandemic and focuses on centering BIPOC artists, designers, and creatives who make goods for home and lifestyle. So many of their gorgeous products are currently sold out (and rightfully so!), but this jaw-dropping fruit bowl by Amanda Hummes remains, and I’m drooling over it. I especially love that it doubles as sculptural art on your countertop.
Woven in a family-run linen mill in Portugal, this luxurious linen shower curtain is Oeko-Tex® certified and has such a soft and soothing material that is the perfect contrast to hard materials like tile, metal, and porcelain.
Noah’s Ark is an organization that runs three schools and provides 700 artisans and their families with free health care and access to clean water. This tray is part of the Noah’s Ark collection at GlobeIn, and it makes for the perfect breakfast-in-bed tray for weekends thanks to its sturdy build and beautiful wood finish.
These 20x20 pillows are handmade by women in Colombia who have made it their mission to preserve and revive their traditional crafts through collaborating with one another and exchanging knowledge—a frame of mind that we can all get behind. Their new Tyba Diagonal Basics pillow comes in three different color combinations and adds a playful but subtle dose of color to your bedroom or living space.