When it comes to making your bedroom more eco-friendly, many of the changes you make will be beneficial to your health and living space as well as the environment. Some of these suggestions will take more work than others. They can be implemented piece by piece to suit your needs and budget. Discover the latest innovations in designing an eco-friendly bedroom that promotes relaxation and harmony with nature. From sustainable furniture choices to energy-efficient lighting, this blog post will guide you in creating a serene and environmentally conscious sleep space.
Ways To Make Your Bedroom More Eco-Friendly
Learn how to turn your bedroom into a green oasis with simple yet effective tips and tricks. Find out how choosing organic bedding, reducing energy consumption, and incorporating natural materials can help minimize your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.
1. Energy Star Lighting
Here is a super easy eco-friendly upgrade- make sure that you are using Energy Star approved light bulbs. Switching from traditional lighting to Energy Star certified lighting offers energy savings of 75% or more! Energy Star certified CFL and LED bulbs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes for any application. These include recessed cans, track lighting, table lamps, ceiling fixtures, accent lighting and more. You can even find Energy Star certified bulbs that can be dimmed. You can choose the light color that the bulb gives off by selecting on the Kelvin scale (K). Lower K (like 2700) means warmer, yellowish light, while higher K (like 5600) means cooler, bluer light. For tips on choosing which types of bulbs are best for your space, visit energystar.gov
In Photo: Mulberry Filled Silk Comforter
2. Bedding
Another easy upgrade for your green sanctuary is sustainable and eco-friendly bedding. Look for natural fabrics, organic materials, and Oeko-Tex certification. I recently received a cotton and silk duvet insert for review purposes that I absolutely love from thecottonandsilk.com and it is one my favorite eco-friendly bedroom additions. The mulberry-silk filled comforter is not only made of natural fabrics that are good for the environment but also bring luxury to your sleep experience. The filling is made from 100% premium long-strand mulberry-silk, which is soft, smooth, breathable, temperature-regulating, and body hugging. The shell is made from 100% premium breathable cotton. I like that it has the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 label for peace of mind since it means that it has been independently tested for toxic chemicals.
In addition to an eco-friendly duvet, try eco-friendly sheets like organic cotton sheets and/or bamboo sheets. My favorite way to start creating a holistic and rejuvenating sleep sanctuary is with lovely new eco-friendly bedding.
3. Paint
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way to freshen up and change the look of a room. However, if you need to paint, choose a zero VOC paint. These help ensure that you are not releasing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into your bedroom air. It is important to consider that many labels on paints don’t account for the VOCs in colourants added at the store. These can boost VOCs considerably. Check with the paint store to see if they have no- or low-VOC colourants. Also make sure to dispose of excess paint in a safe way. Consider donating it to a local school if you have enough for a mural project. If there is just a bit of pain left in the can, you can remove the lid and allow it to dry for safer disposal.
4. Furniture
Lots of options exist for eco-friendly furniture choices. Options include antiques, thrift store shopping, to quality crafted pieces that use wood from sustainable forests. You can also find a full range of furniture built from bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and other environmentally safe materials. Be sure to buy furniture that is durable. It is another added green benefit if it is locally made. If you need help locating eco-friendly furnishing manufacturers, you can use this website sustainablefurnishings.org
5. Mattresses
Mattresses can be another hidden source of chemical emissions. It is important to choose eco-friendly mattresses made without:
- prohibited phthalates
- ozone depleters
- PBDEs
- mercury, lead and heavy metals
- formaldehyde
- And made with Non-Toxic Fire Retardant (FR) barriers
An example of an eco-friendly mattress choice is Amerisleep mattresses made in the USA. They are made without the aforementioned list of things to avoid. Amerisleep plant-based Bio-Pur™ memory foam provides a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based foams. Bio-Pur utilizes plant-derived oils and extracts to replace the majority of petro-products. They also use an environmentally-conscious manufacturing processes. The Columbus Bed™ offers a 2″ Bio-Pur™ memory foam and a 6″ Bio-Core™ support layer. The Americana Bed offers a plush comfort layer while minimizing pressure points that relieve discomfort with a 3″ Bio-Pur™ memory foam and 7″ Bio-Core™ support layer. Both options are SFC (Sustainable Furnishings Council) Approved and made in the USA.
6. Flooring
When it comes to eco-friendly flooring, there are many routes. The most common flooring choices are hardwood or carpet for bedrooms. If you need to replace your flooring, I suggest considering that some carpets will outgas. Ask retailers for information to select lower emitting carpet, cushion, and adhesives. Eco-friendly rugs that are made with more natural fibers such as wool or jute are one option. Another option is recycled fiber carpets that can keep up to forty plastic containers out of our landfills per square yard. When selecting hardwoods, look for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified woods or check out bamboo flooring.
7. Eco-Friendly Cleaners
This is kind of an invisible element but if you are using harsh toxic cleaners on your lovely sustainable goods, you are really undoing all your efforts. Make sure to use eco-friendly laundry detergent on your organic cotton bedding, steam cleaning on your bamboo floors, natural room sprays when you want to freshen things up. The right houseplants can even serve as eco-friendly air cleaners.
Conclusion
There are untold perks of creating an eco-friendly bedroom. Eco-conscious practices like using non-toxic paints, optimizing indoor air quality, and embracing sustainable décor can enhance your well-being, while also supporting a greener planet. Consider organic drapes and linens to finish off your new eco friendly bedroom. I hope these tips help you to make your bedroom more eco-friendly and a more enjoyable space! Want to reduce your carbon footprint while you sleep? Which step will you take first?
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maria smith says
Such great eco bedroom tips! I’m always looking for some green cleaning ideas and tips.