When we are teenagers, we deal with the changes in our life by dyeing our hair blond (because blonds have more fun, of course) or changing our style, but now, as adults, we deal with changes in a slightly different way. We become interior designers! Sometimes moving our furniture around (PIVOT) is simply not going to cut it. In the 21st century, there are three types of decisions – good, bad, and eco-friendly. Sadly, while our outside is very polluted, we can make sure that our inside space is not – so here are some helpful tricks on how to design a toxin-free and eco-friendly bedroom.
Go green – literally
Yes, we have all seen commercials for (plastic) air purifiers, but believe it or not, the best air purifiers are plants. You can even choose between fresh-cut flowers in a vase or houseplant pots. Our advice is to research what are the plants that can detoxify your home – for example, English ivy, bamboo palm, lilies, and aloe vera… Also, those plants go great with natural materials that are all the rage now in the world of interior design.
Choose your bedding wisely
Like we shouldn’t judge a book by its covers, we shouldn’t buy a bed set because of its looks. We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, so we must make sure that we don’t sleep on fibers that have been grown with pesticides. Yes, silk is very silky but there are a lot of eco-friendly bedding options (Tencel) that feel just as silky. You can never go wrong with linen, cotton, hemp, or Tencel. Sustainable bedding is not only eco-friendly but will also help you improve your sleep quality.
Go vintage
One thing that never goes out of style is vintage. That’s not only good for the environment because you use eco-friendly furniture, but it is also good for your budget. Flea markets and thrift stores are filled with hidden gems that will give your bedroom a unique look, and also you can sleep tight on your eco-friendly mattress knowing that you probably saved a tree. It’s not easy to find a piece of good recycled furniture, but don’t give up. There’s a shelf out there with an amazing history that is just waiting for you.
Eco-friendly life means eco-friendly mattresses
An increasing number of people all over the world cite sustainability and eco-friendliness as one of the top considerations when shopping for goods and services. As an example, a recent study has shown that ninety percent of Australian consumers want sustainable and toxin-free products.
Unfortunately, most mattress companies today still use plastic in their manufacturing process. Sustainable, toxin-free mattresses are becoming increasingly sought after in the Australian bedding market. You can find an excellent and eco-friendly mattress in Sydney made by eco-conscious manufacturers who source their materials domestically and employ environmentally friendly production practices. No matter where you live, investing in a healthy, non-toxic mattress is an absolute must if you want to preserve your long-term health.
Saving energy is an eco-friendly must
Yes, saving trees is an imperative in the “eco-friendly handbook“ but so is saving energy. Regular lightbulbs are not only so-last-season, but they are also quite energy-consuming. That’s why your new eco-friendly bedroom needs an LED bulb that not only consumes much less energy but also lasts longer, so you save money AND energy. If your bedroom is flooded with natural light, a simple nightstand lamp can give you all the light you need. People often think that LED means white, but if you are a fan of warmer lighting – there are yellow LED bulbs too!
Non-toxic paint is the way to go
Painting your bedroom can be your stress relief and a major change, but dizziness should not be a part of the process. Regular paints are filled with toxic chemicals that are a big no-no for your new non-toxic bedroom. In the post-pandemic world, the last thing you need is paint that can cause a respiratory illness. That’s why non-toxic paint is truly the way to go and they come in all colors, not only natural ones like you would think.
Final comments
Building an eco-friendly home is not as expensive as one might expect, but you need to dedicate time to research and learn about all the toxic things we use in our everyday life. Your bedroom should be your safe place where you rest from the big bad world and it needs to be toxin-free and eco-friendly so it can be the sanctuary you deserve.
It may take a while, but at the end of your remodeling, you will see that an eco-friendly change was just the change you needed and then your bedroom won’t be enough for you – maybe it will be time for an eco-friendly living room?