February 10, 2020
2020: The Year of the Vegan Home Design
As society grows, we're becoming less ignorant towards the suffering of animals, with veganism being as popular as ever. A poll by supermarket chain Waitrose reported that a third of UK consumers have cut back or stopped buying meat altogether.
With Meatless Monday, the new year's Veganuary and 31% of the population identifying themselves as "flexitarians" swapping meat for plant-based alternatives, it's no surprise to see this flirtation with veganism is making an appearance in home design.
In fact, design bible Dezeen reports vegan home furniture, furnishings and products will be as popular as vegan food in 2020 as more and more customers are opting for high-quality, vegan designs with longevity over off-the-shelf, unethical products. Many interior designers believe that the trend will take hold as soon as alternatives to animal-based products like leather and wool become more readily available.
Cactus Leather
Leading the way in creating an animal-free alternative to leather are Mexican entrepreneurs Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez who have created a material that looks and feels like leather but made entirely from cactus plants.
Named Desserto, the cactus leather was first exhibited in October 2019 at Lineappelle, Italy's most important leather trade fair. The material's organic composition means that it's soft and well suited for processing. It's also breathable and easy to dye.
Desserto is partially biodegradable, designed to last at least ten years. This animal-free alternative to leather has the potential to drive conventional furniture materials out of the market in the future.
Mushroom Lampshades
Another veganism pioneer in home furniture, furnishings and products is British designer Sebastian Cox who specialises in the development of furniture made of mushroom mycelium.
About three years ago, Cox discovered a material in the woodlands of Kent that was holding two branches of hazel together which led the furniture maker to contact researcher Ninela Ivanova. Since the pair have been experimenting with ways in which the innovative material could be used in functional products such as furniture.
The result was a collection called Mycelium+Timber, a series of simple stools and lamps with a suede-like texture that premiered at Somerset House as part of the London Design Festival in 2017.