We explore two empirical examples of 'prefiguring' efforts that are challenging the consumption and purchasing of new household items in Western cities, while they also offer a counter-hegemonic narrative that is observable and real. The first is the growing movement of community bike workshops or ‘bike kitchens', which offer a convivial environment for the restoration and maintenance of bicycles. The reuse, recycling, and refurbishment of bikes in these workshops is widespread in cities, with convivial sharing of tools and knowledge. Secondly, Tool Libraries (TLs) also challenge consumerism and private ownership by stocking reclaimed tools and household objects that can be borrowed, reducing purchasing. The Brisbane, Australia TL offers a 'sharing' commons model, also helping households save money and space. It has influenced city policy discourses, alongside its practical contributions. Both examples are part of 'shadow networks' that operate in parallel to the dominant economic system. However such organisations prefiguring lower consumption can be fragile because they rely on securing affordable premises, and sustained human interest and investments of time and energy from diverse participants. They are intervening in specific circuits of material items and knowledge, also socialising the process of salvaging and reuse.