Habbio (vegan modular armchairs & sofas)

Habbio is England’s first vegan-certified sofa (the company also makes armchairs and sofa-beds, including refurbished ones for people on a budget). These items are modular. So if your family expands (or you move to a bigger house), you don’t have to buy a new sofa. Just ‘add to it’ with a new piece.

You can dissembles the sofas (no tools required) so it’s easy to move house with them, and are delivered in a box that squeezes through doorways (and goes upstairs without your swearing!)

They use sustainably-sourced wood and fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles (if laundering, use a microfiber filter). You can also buy loose replacement covers, in case you have a red wine accident!

Sold with a 15-year guarantee, these sofas are made in Derbyshire by artisans from a family with 70 years experience in making furniture. Their workers are paid at least 20% more than the living wage, with no zero hour contracts.

This company uses 90% fewer chemicals than other sofa makers, and chooses nontoxic and biodegradable alternatives where possible (tomatoes have more formaldehyde!) You can even order collection of your old sofa for recycling.

How to clean sofas and armchairs

Shake out cushions each week and hoover any crumbs underneath. If you can’t wash covers, mix a teaspoon each of unscented dishwash liquid, white vinegar, baking soda and warm water, to froth up. Apply to stains with a plastic-free sponge, rinse and leave to dry.

Arranging sofas & armchairs for conversation

Instead of just plonking a sofa in front of the TV with an armchair either side, interior designers say that to encourage conversation, it’s far better to arrange items in an L-shape (with a coffee table between you, so you can still see the TV, but it’s no the focus of everyone’s attention.