Veganism is on the rise. And, while the increase in recent years has focussed on food, more and more shoppers are becoming aware of more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives for their home interiors. Here, Matt Deighton, Managing Director at Sofas by Saxon, will be sharing five ways you can change your home interiors to fit in with your vegan lifestyle.
Veganism has grown significantly on a global scale in recent years. For us, in the UK, the number of people adapting to this lifestyle over the last five years (2014–2019) has quadrupled, with an estimated 600,000 vegans in 2019 alone (The Vegan Society). And, while you may have begun your vegan journey by adapting the edible produce that you buy if you’re thinking of making some other changes to your lifestyle, why not take a look at how you can ensure your home interiors are vegan too?
Here, I will be sharing some of the top ways you can adapt your interiors so they match with your lifestyle.
Buy British
It’s no secret that transport and shipping are some of the most harmful industries to the environment, with an estimated 33% of all UK CO2 emissions in 2018 coming from lorries, vans, and other vehicles (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy). These emissions pollute the air and water and damage wildlife habitats.
So, if you’re considering buying interior and décor pieces from abroad, you may want to rethink which company to purchase from as buying from overseas can require planes, trains, ferries, and other fuel-guzzling vehicles to get delivered to your door. But this doesn’t mean you need to miss out on getting beautifully crafted pieces to complete your home.
Instead, buying British can help you to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions your home purchases are contributing, and can also help to support and strengthen the UK economy. Plus, as British regulation on emissions and labour tend to be stricter than those abroad, these products tend to be more sustainable than those made abroad. And, as these pieces can be equally as stunning as those bought internationally, you’ll still be able to create the home you’ve always dreamed of.
Choose faux and vegan materials
Leather tends to be used widely throughout many homes, but for those looking to follow a vegan lifestyle, you may want to look for an alternative. If you’re a fan of the aesthetic of leather, you’ll be pleased to hear that this doesn’t mean you can’t still get the look — just that there are many more sustainable options.
For example, there are plenty of faux leather materials you can choose from. These are usually made from non-animal products such as polyester and are finished with wax, dye, and coatings like PVC to ensure they feel leathery to the touch.
If you’re not too concerned about having leather-look interiors, there are many vegan materials that can still give your home a modern, cozy feel. These include natural materials such as cork as well as glazed and waxed cotton, so you’re bound to find something to suit your dream décor while adhering to your vegan lifestyle.
Shop for environmentally friendly bedding
If you’re looking to overhaul your bedroom décor this New Year, you may want to pay attention to the fillings inside your pillows and duvets. Many companies create these with down inside which is made from the feathers of various birds and therefore aren’t an ethical choice for somebody living a vegan lifestyle.
Instead, keep an eye out for options with soy-based fillings and down alternatives like kapok and buckwheat which will still ensure you have something cozy to snuggle into at bedtime. Similarly, if you’re wanting a warm, decorative throw to place on top of your bedding, consider choosing vegan versions of wool. These include bamboo silk, viscose, cotton and jute, and can also be used for throws in your living room.
Use animal-friendly paint
Redecorating usually involves paint, but as some of these can contain ingredients that are derived from milk or beeswax, not all paints are completely vegan. This means that it’s important you’re searching for animal-friendly lacquers before you get down to the nitty-gritty of transforming your home.
As well as checking that the paints you use are free from animal by-products, you may also want to choose those with low or zero emissions to do your bit in protecting the environment while you create your new home aesthetic.
Add decorative plants for air purification
Houseplants make fantastic finishing touches to your home, adding bursts of colour, emitting soothing scents that make you feel good, and purifying the air around you.
Plants like snake and spider plants, as well as Aloe vera, are brilliant for purifying the air and can sit on the windowsills of your rooms if you’re limited when it comes to space. If you have room for slightly larger plants, why not try growing a lucky bamboo plant in your living room or bedroom? This is renowned for bringing people luck and encouraging good feng shui (known to mean good fortune), so you may even find yourself feel happier for having this plant around!
And, as these plants tend to be affordable and relatively low maintenance, they’re perfect for adding some interest to the rooms within your home.
Adapting your home interiors to your vegan lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply follow my top five suggestions and you’ll still be able to create your dream home — just a more sustainable version of it.