Talking About Green

You don’t have to build a tree-fort in order to get the eco-friendly bedroom you’ve been dreaming of. In fact, so many people are now looking for ways to go green in different areas of their home that there have been tons of innovations in the field of eco-décor. Whether you’re looking at replacing a few pieces of furniture, you’d like to try a new paint color, or you’re gung-ho for an entire room makeover, there are plenty of products to help you along the way. Of course, you may have to do a little legwork to find the décor that fits your green sensibilities, but by shopping around and using a little common sense, you can come up with ways to make every part of your bedroom better for the health of our planet. Here are just a few areas to focus on.
1. Walls. There are a couple of ways to keep it eco-friendly when you implement a new color scheme. Paint is probably the least expensive option to spice up your space with a new hue, but it could also be the most harmful. Toxic VOCs from most paint can pollute your interior air for years to come. So look for brands that offer low- or no-VOC options. You may also want to do just one accent wall to cut down on the amount of paint you use. Or you could add some texture and color by skipping the paint and installing floor-to-ceiling curtains along one wall. They can act as a backdrop, easily be removed if you get tired of the color, and if you select organic fabric, they’ll do far less harm than other options.
2. Flooring. If your heart is set on carpeting in the bedroom (most people prefer it, even though it is notorious for trapping allergens) at least forego pile made from synthetic fibers (which are non-recyclable and non-biodegradable). Instead, choose natural fiber carpeting like humane wool or organic cotton. You may also want to consider reclaimed hardwood planks, which give your space a richer look at less cost (and no further deforestation), and then simply add a few throw rugs.
3. Lighting. Natural lighting is always best, but that doesn’t mean you need to contract for new construction to install skylights and larger window frames. The waste from construction will completely undermine your efforts to go green. Instead, use whatever natural light you have to the fullest, possibly installing a couple of ornate, antique (read: second-hand) mirrors to bounce the light, then use candles in the evening. You can also install compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in fixtures so that when you do have to flip the switch you’re using less energy.
4. Furniture. The main pieces of furniture for this room are likely to be made of wood. This could include bed frames, dressers, side tables, armoires, and so on. But with wood comes the very real threat of deforestation. Luckily, there are ways around it. For one thing, you could opt to reuse pieces you have by refurbishing them. Or you could go for reclaimed items if your current bedroom set is shot (try yard sales, estate sales, or even reclaimed furniture outlets).
5. Accessories. Photo frames, lamps, pillows, throws, and other accessories can also get the green treatment. Knick-knacks can be found second-hand and spruced up or you can purchase interesting items made from recycled materials at eco-friendly décor stores. As for textiles, you should always go organic.