Following the food, beauty, and fashion sectors, the home goods market is keeping up with the vegan trend and finding ways to avoid the use of animal-based materials. Paris-based agency NellyRodi has singled out the desire to create a vegan home as a separate trend, which has every chance of becoming one of the most significant in 2023.
There is a growing movement in Britain that calls for the avoidance of exploitation or cruelty to animals. In the US, the number of vegans has increased by 600% in four years, from 4 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2018. It is noticeable how more and more people are focusing on growing ethical vegan practices in their homes. Many furniture companies are now looking to go beyond aesthetics and look at the broader ethic of contemporary design in a vegan way.
In early 2022, vegan design will become as popular as vegan food, with a shift in demand due to the widespread adoption of ethical and sustainable practices. Large supply chains will inevitably change in 2023. The necessary changes will begin with an emphasis on well-made, high-quality, and durable structures.
The terms “vegan”, “sustainable” and “natural” do not have to be mutually exclusive. If you learn in detail about the process and materials used in your furnishings, you will be more confident that you have chosen the most ethically appropriate options. As obvious as the term “vegan furniture” may seem, it’s not just about avoiding leather in the finishes. For example, woolen fabrics, and animal products (and materials tested on animals) can be used in all kinds of ingredients, such as glue, and most paints and varnishes use milk proteins to bind the mixture.
Many companies try to use only natural upholstery: for example, linen, cotton, or high-quality innovative materials. Many guarantee that they do not use polyurethane foam in the production of plastic. Many (like the British Maker & Son) claim to develop completely vegan furniture, which will use raw materials that do not contain animal derivatives, with an emphasis on natural and environmentally friendly raw materials.
The philosophy of vegan living goes far beyond food and clothing. Vegans do not own anything that was made from animals. Instead, they use plant-based foods in every aspect of their lives. Vegans also care about the environment and sustainability; therefore, they must make informed choices by choosing products that cause no or less harm to the environment during the manufacturing process. This means they choose products that are less processed, use less energy and cause less carbon emissions. These are things that consist of a minimum number of ingredients. Therefore, if you are a true vegan, it is worth considering reorganizing your home space.
1. Wall paint
Be careful with paint – conventional paints, which, by the way, contain a lot of toxins, are made on the basis of a milk protein binder. Vegan paints are made from natural binders such as vegetable casein, which is protein glue. They do not contain toxins and are safe for your health. In addition, natural paints must be biodegradable and free of petrochemical ingredients to prevent environmental pollution. They are already available in many online stores.
2. Furniture
Use sustainable wood and other sustainable materials for furniture and home renovations. The production of commercial concrete, paints, and wood-like synthetic materials releases tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Sustainable wood is trees grown on renewable plantations. Keep in mind that treated laminated wood furniture may not always be completely vegan. Treated laminated wood used for flooring and furniture may contain adhesives with animal ingredients. If you really like a classic leather sofa in your living room (some people say it’s easy to keep clean), then faux leather is the way to go. The best thing you can do
3. Textile
Usually, non-vegan materials are used for interior decoration of interiors. So be careful when buying textiles, curtains, pillows, carpets, and rugs for a vegan home. Usually, materials of non-vegetative and animal origin fall under the ban: silk, fur, feathers, all types of wool, leather, and suede. The global leather industry kills over a billion animals every year, but you can easily replace leather and other materials with natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, jute, or bamboo silk. It is permissible to choose products from synthetic.
4. Bedding
And what about bed linen? Perhaps some of you still use feather blankets. Well, that’s not vegan either. You can find a variety of sheets and duvets made from natural fabrics or synthetic materials at most stores. These materials are often more comfortable than regular sheets, more hygienic, and, moreover, more affordable.
5. Plants
Plants are the best functional decoration for a vegan home. They clean the air of toxins and pollutants found in chemical cleaners, paints, and other materials. Choose those that are easy to care for and very effective, such as aloe vera, dracaena, snake plant, and English ivy. These are ideal plants for the living room and bedroom. They remove benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene, and fill the air with oxygen. In addition, plants help reduce stress levels.
6. LCD screens
It turns out that for the production of liquid crystal screens on TVs, computers, phones, and tablets, animal cholesterol is used. At the very least, you can reduce their number and not buy new ones if you can’t do without them at all.
7. Photos
Some printing processes use gelatin to create black-and-white photos and coat other photo papers to protect the images. It may not be worth ordering a wall-wide magnetic board, where hundreds of photos will be hung.
8. Candles
Candles are usually made from beeswax or paraffin with animal stearic acid. Well, as you know, none of them are vegan. How to replace them? Choose soy candles! Soy candles can burn longer, and by buying them, you’re supporting agriculture, not the big oil industry.
9. Detergents and cosmetics
Choose your cosmetics and cleaning products wisely. Most of the biggest brands test their products on animals. What’s more, some products still contain ingredients and preservatives that can be hazardous to your health (parabens, SLS, phthalates, etc.). There are different ways to make sure that products are safe for us. When shopping, try to focus on those labeled as eco-friendly or vegan-friendly. These days, every supermarket has a number of similar products. When in doubt about whether a certain product is vegan or not, you can always check it out on the Veganbase website.
10. Plastic bags
Not many people know that plastic bags contain anti-slip substances from animal fat, which reduce friction and static charge in the material. This is another reason why we should stop using them and switch to planet-friendly alternatives.
