How to Design an Eco-Friendly Bedroom

Excessive consumption, plastic, and toxic chemicals are our planet's biggest enemies. Nowadays, everywhere you turn, these three seem to be present. Since almost every aspect of our lives has been corrupted with pollutants, resisting the urge to take the easy way out can seem unachievable and elusive for most. Because of this, educating yourself on ways to become greener and spreading the word is of the utmost importance. While eco-newbies usually start their journey with reusable water bottles and shopping bags, more experienced green warriors might want to take it further. And what better way to do that than to bring eco-friendly practices into your living space? This article will cover tips on how to design an eco-friendly bedroom. Walls and Floors

Every eco-friendly room needs a healthy foundation. You might not expect there could be anything wrong with your walls, but they are most likely covered with paint that is polluting your bedroom air with toxic fumes. These fumes come from Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs for short, and they can be highly health-compromising. While it might be challenging to find paints that are free of harmful substances, with a little bit of research, you'll easily get your hands on low VOC options. When it comes to flooring, the most eco-friendly solution is to simply keep what you have. However, if you're keen on giving your bedroom a complete makeover, you can opt for hardwood, bamboo, or tile flooring. Again, try to stay away from any toxic finishes as they contain VOCs, as well. If you want to make your room extra cozy, carpets and area rugs made of natural fibers might be your best bet. Furniture

The greenest choice when it comes to furniture is to stick to what is already there. However, if you have nothing or are eager to update your pieces, make sure to go with furniture made from natural and sustainable materials. Wood, metal, rattan, and natural textiles are not only eco-friendly, but they will add some serious style to your room as well.

When shopping for furniture, check thrift stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces for unique vintage pieces. Finding the right pieces might take some time, but you will surely become addicted to second-hand treasure hunting once you do. However, if this mission fails or you're not into the idea of used furniture for your bedroom, make sure to shop locally and from small business. Excessive shopping contributes to consumerism and waste, so leaving a minimal carbon footprint with your purchase is essential for treating our planet kindly. Textiles

Comfort and coziness are essential in any bedroom, and they are most commonly achieved with luxurious bedding, fluffy pillows, and curtains that mute bright morning light. Sustainable textiles for your bedroom include cotton, linen, and hemp. Wool and silk are also natural, but they come from animals, so vegans might want to stay away from them. Your mattress and pillows should ideally be made of organic materials, as well. Since they are difficult to thoroughly clean, most people rather buy new ones. Luckily, there are many sustainable and affordable options on the market nowadays. Again, if there is nothing wrong with your current mattress, it's wiser to keep it to cut down on waste. However, beware that old mattresses and pillows can promote bad posture and bacteria growth. If that is the case, consider donating them to an animal shelter or other organizations that might find them useful. Ambiance and Décor

Creating a relaxing ambiance in your room before going to bed can help you fall asleep faster and promote healthy sleeping habits. Many people find that scented candles, air fresheners, and incense sticks help them achieve this. However, these beloved products are not very eco-friendly or healthy. Instead, you can bring a spa-like atmosphere into your bedroom with the help of a humidifier and essential oils.

Adding a few plants to the room is an excellent eco-friendly way to increase freshness and eliminate odors. Peace Lily, Snake Plant, lavender, and Pothos are perfect for bedrooms as they are great air purifiers. When it comes to decor, options are endless. You can choose to support local artists or even express your creativity by making a few pieces yourself. However, if you're leaning towards a more minimalistic approach in your new bedroom, you might be tempted to get rid of your knick-knacks. Make sure to either donate or store items you no longer need in a green way. Green packing and storing is essential for an eco-friendly bedroom, and it is easy once you learn how to do it right. Lighting and Electronics

Designing an eco-friendly bedroom can't go without eco-friendly lighting options. LED lights are affordable, long-lasting, and use less electricity than other alternatives. However, in an attempt to become more eco-friendly, you must work on reducing your consumption, even when using energy-efficient lighting. Stick to natural lighting whenever possible, and make sure to turn off the lights when you don't need them.

Additionally, try to minimize the number of appliances in your bedroom. They often emit heat, light, and sounds that can disrupt your sleep. Those you decide to keep should be turned off when not used to cut down on wasting electricity. Applying these rules will help you greenify your entire home. Temperature

Lastly, you shouldn't forget about temperature control in your bedroom. A room that is too hot might make it difficult to fall asleep, whereas a lack of heat can be health-compromising. Because of that, energy-efficient temperature control is vital for an eco-friendly bedroom. Good insulation is the first step to lowering your carbon footprint. Curtains, blinds, and shades will help keep your room cool during summer. Avoid excessive use of air conditioning as this is highly harmful to our environment. Take care of drafty windows and doors before winter to avoid letting the cold air in your room. Depending on where you live, you will likely need to use additional heat sources during colder months, so choose the most energy-efficient option you can afford. Final Thoughts

Many people are afraid of venturing into the world of green living because they think being eco-friendly is expensive and difficult to achieve. However, when designing an eco-friendly bedroom, the best thing you can do is repurpose items you already have. Even when investment is necessary, the satisfaction of becoming more sustainable and Earth-friendly with your choices will surely make it worthwhile.

Bringing green practices into our home is of the utmost importance for helping our planet. This article will help you design an eco-friendly bedroom. Photos used: https://unsplash.com/photos/PhwbTwdZ3f4 https://unsplash.com/photos/4Wlp6m8hroE https://unsplash.com/photos/NwBx723XaHw https://unsplash.com/photos/GqbU78bdJFM