“A leather couch makes me think of Christian Bale in American Psycho.”
—Moby
As a designer, I believe that a sofa is one of the most important pieces of furniture in a space. It’s where many of us spend a large majority of our time hanging out. I think choosing it is as important as choosing a mattress.
As a vegan interior designer and a teacher of other industry professionals and consumers, I’m often asked where to find vegan sofas. (This means those that don’t contain wool, leather, silk, fur, down, or any other products that were derived from animals.) There are two ways to get a cruelty-free sofa: have one custom made, or find one at a retail shop or online. The latter requires a bit more detective work but is less expensive than buying a custom vegan sofa.
Below is a list of a few of my favorite vegan sofas. If you don’t see anything you like and want to search on your own, be sure to confirm with the manufacturer that the entire sofa is vegan, not just the outer fabric. (Many of us are under the impression that if we buy a faux-leather sofa, the couch was humanely produced. But there’s a chance that the cushions are stuffed with down feathers and/or silk.) Ask about the material that’s used to wrap the cushions. Also, inquire regarding what the cushions are stuffed with.
1. Wayfair
One of my daughters got this sofa for her apartment. It’s extremely soft and comfortable. So far, there are no scratches from the dog or the cat! It’s the priciest on the list, but I’m really impressed with the quality and the look:
2. Amazon
This is also a great source for vegan sofas. We combed through quite a few lines to find our favorites:
Here’s a relaxed-looking sofa that can fit in a space that’s either modern or traditional. I love the soft white material:
This curvy, modern sectional is great for taking a nap with your furry loved one:
This one is simple and classic, with straight lines, dark color, and a great look:
This futon has modern acrylic legs, and the newer model is also a sleeper:
Here’s an understated, classic sofa with lovely mid-century legs:
3. Target
This store is also a good resource. Here are a couple of options:
This reclining sofa has a mid-century look:
This one is great for a small space, and the design is very sophisticated:
4. IKEA
Who doesn’t love shopping at IKEA? Check out these choices:
Low arms and memory foam make this affordable piece extra comfy. It comes in several colors, too, which is handy:
This sofa has a clean, simple style. I wouldn’t count on it for great comfort, but it looks darn good:
Now that you have your sofa, try these vegan decor accents:
Crate&Barrel’s cozy, wool-free throw is made from a blend of high-quality synthetic fibers and will look great draped over the back of your couch:
These pillow covers below are free of wool and silk and will add some pizazz to your couch. Opt for a down-free pillow insert.
In the same vein as the above, we also love West Elm’s Honeycomb Velvet Pillow Covers.
We’re also smitten with their sweater-like, hand-woven throws:
This Anthropologie area rug is made from cotton and polyester, and it’s available in three colors:
This bright blanket will add a pop of color to your sofa or bed, and is available in two shades:
Choose from the different sizes and colors of this adorable tasseled pillow:
Deborah DiMare is the founder of 100 percent vegan luxury interior design company DiMare Design as well as VeganDesign.org, a resource for shopping cruelty-free furniture and learning about the emerging world of vegan interior design. To support companies that support PETA, visit PETAMall.com.
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