Eco-friendly bedroom refresh
Eco-friendly bedroom refresh
Our bedroom is a sanctuary, a place to relax and recharge. While it may not be as focal as the living room or kitchen, a cluttered, poorly designed bedroom can affect quality of sleep, which can affect mood, productivity and emotional balance!
Creating a space that is beautiful and healthy is always our goal, yet the prevalence of synthetic materials in our homes- from the paint on the walls to the furniture- makes this a challenge. Synthetic materials give off toxins that are detrimental to our health. Long-term exposure can cause an array of health problems, from headaches to respiratory and neurological issues. Small changes can make a big impact on the quality of air inside our homes, and many companies now offer healthier products that are safe for the home and look great too!
Let’s start with the walls…
Whether you love a clean white space or lots of pattern, the wall options are endless. A fresh coat of paint can instantly refresh the look and feel of a room, and companies like Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore now offer lines of non-toxic interior paint. For those of you who want more visual interest on a wall, we love the look of a wallpapered feature wall behind the bed. Our Blackish Magic wallpaper in white would be a great, subtle pick. For a bolder look, our Cascade designs in Mauve or Indigo both infuse energy and texture into a room. An oversized ornate mirror would finish this look off glamorously. (Spoiler alert: We have an exciting new collection coming soon, which includes some sophisticated, show-stopping murals so keep those eyes peeled!)
From left to right | Navy bedding with geometric throw pillows image from my luxe finds | White on white bedding image from lindsay marcella | Teal palm print bedding image from anthropologie |
The Mattress Matters:
The bed is the foundation of the bedroom…obviously. What is not so obvious is that most conventional mattresses are made of synthetic materials that emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and mattresses made after 2007 legally must be treated with flame-retardant chemicals, which are super toxic. Avoid petroleum-based polyester, nylon, and polyurethane foam. Instead, look for mattresses made using natural latex (derived from the rubber plant), and certified organic components, such as untreated wool, which is naturally fire and dust mite resistant, and organic cotton.
We encourage finding a local natural mattress store where you can try before you buy…or, check out Tuft & Needle, Intellibed, Nest and loom & leaf who all offer a 3+ month trial period.
Better Bedding:
Many bedding components also contain synthetics. Look for bedding made with organic natural fibers from plants (linen, bamboo, cotton), or animals (wool and alpaca).
A company that we’ve partnered with on our throw pillows is Malpaca. Malpaca makes organic bedding and pillows using domestic alpaca fiber, which is naturally flame resistant, hypoallergenic, and completely sustainable. Oh, and it feels amazing too!
Updating bedding is also a great way to freshen up your bedroom each season. For spring and summer, we love crisp white bedding with brightly patterned decorative pillows. For fall and winter, try an all over print with some luxe knit throw blankets for added coziness. Kate, our elworthy studio designer, recently updated her bedding with a neutral linen set from Coyuchi. It is the perfect foundation for layering patterned pillows and blankets!
From left to right | Potted plants on shelves image from bloglovin | Potted plant garden image from french fancy | Snake plant image from apartment therapy |
Green-ify with Greenery
Having lots of beautiful plants indoors adds life, color, and style to any space, but more importantly, they have purifying benefits and promote healthy sleeping patterns. According to the EPA, the average home’s interior air is three times more polluted than outdoor air! Yikes. Indoor plants remove these toxic gases by absorbing them through their roots and leaves - essentially filtering your air in a process is called phytoremediation. A few of our favorite houseplants that are known for their absorbing qualities (and winning aesthetic): aloe vera, areca palm, snake plant and chinese evergreen.
Furniture:
When selecting furniture for the bedroom, we suggest choosing something timeless. Look for pieces made of solid wood from sustainable sources (or reclaimed wood), or metal. We love the clean lines of midcentury pieces. They can be easily updated with a fresh coat of paint, new hardware, or simply by switching up your decorative accessories. And speaking of decorative accessories...what better way to source home accessories than a visit to your local flea market or antique store! Reusing/repurposing is better for the planet, plus it's a great way to find something totally unique.
Lots more where that came from! Follow us on Instagram for sustainable decorating inspiration.