Quick Guide to Vegan Home Decor

Vegan home interiors are one of the hottest interior design trends nowadays. Probably so for the right reasons. Are you inclined towards vegan food, and prefer using cruelty-free cosmetics and fashion? Well, then you must check our quick guide to making home interiors vegan too.

First, of, let’s take understand what exactly vegan home design is.

If you switch to vegan food, you avoid all items that come from animals or involve exploiting living beings. Similarly, vegan home interiors are all about using cruelty-free, ethically-sourced materials, furniture and accessories in your home.

Let’s see how you can easily switch to vegan home decor in an economical manner.

Pick furnishings in natural materials like bamboo, linen, cotton, hemp, cork or wicker. Pick jute or nylon rugs, hemp pouffes, linen or bamboo silk throw pillows, and so on. Organic bamboo and hemp grow fast and leave smaller carbon footprints. You can experiment with newer materials like Tencel Lyocell fibres. They are made from wood pulp and can be used for bedsheets, rugs, and towels. You can opt for cotton, linens, and other natural materials for upholstery and drapery.

Look for furniture made from 100% recycled materials. These would have used no (or less) harmful processes during their manufacturing. Their production would have also released lesser pollutants into the atmosphere and water. If you prefer new furniture, pick those made using sustainable practices. You can look for furniture made from forest-friendly wood. They are sure to have met eco-friendly standards.

Stay away from animal leather, wool, suede, feathers, cashmere, snakeskin, fur, and silk. Instead, pick faux leather sofas and armchairs. Look for alternatives that are durable and look as stylish as natural leather pieces. These could be made from natural materials like cork, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or waxed cotton. Check out other animal-free leather substitutes that are made from pineapple leaves, mushroom mycelium, apple skin, natural bacteria, etc.

Make sure that all the furniture is made from animal-free products. For instance, when you buy a vegan sofa, check if the cushion material is vegan too. When you buy a mattress, check if it is filled with down or feathers. Down-free bedding, pillows, and rugs are made from Tencel, acrylic, and other synthetic materials. They look stylish and serve the same purpose.

Wall paint can be animal-tested and may contain animal by-products like casein (milk protein), shellac (from the female lac bug), and ox gall (comes from cows). But vegan paints replace such animal-based ingredients with plant-based binders. Go for those!

The candles you use contain beeswax or paraffin wax and stearic acid which is derived from animals. Switch to candles made of soy to add warm lighting whenever you need to.

Most cleaning products are animal-tested. Pick natural cleaners and detergents that are hypoallergenic and environmentally responsible. They avoid genetically modified ingredients and animal by-products. They are not tested on animals and have a minimal impact on our environment. Cruelty-free cleaning products use plant-based surfactants and are certified by the Vegan Society.

Before you buy any vegan product, make sure the company has legitimate eco-credentials. Read about their philosophies and if they’re committed to creating ethical products and protect animal life.

This is something we often forget while looking for vegan home accessories. Buying from other countries also means that you’re adding to the carbon footprint through transport emissions in getting them delivered to your place. So, buy local as much as you can.

It’s possible to avoid cruelty to animals in your daily life and in your home interiors as well. For more interesting tips and tricks about setting up your dream home, follow our Design Journal. Connect with HomeLane design experts to design your home.