Easy Ways to Go Green in the Bedroom

There’s little wonder as to why so many households have come to embrace eco-friendliness. With climate change continuing to cement its reputation as the greatest threat of our time, a growing number of families have stepped up to the plate and started doing right by the environment. When many of us think of conservation, our minds go directly to the kitchen, the garden and the car. While these are all important areas to focus on, other parts of the home shouldn’t be overlooked. Case in point: the bedroom. Although your bedroom may seem like a fairly low-pollution area, there are a number of easy ways you can make this space eco-friendlier.

Invest in a Natural Mattress

In many respects, your mattress is your bedroom’s main attraction. Since this room primarily functions as a sleeping space, it’s only natural to seek out a mattress that offers maximum comfort – and it’s entirely possible to be both comfortable and eco-conscious at the same time. This is where a natural mattress – i.e., a mattress composed or organic materials – can really pay off. Not only will a natural mattress enable you to comfortably sleep through the night, it will help decrease the size of your household’s carbon footprint.

Buy Furniture Made from Reclaimed Wood

You’d be hard-pressed to find a bedroom without furniture. Nightstands, bookshelves and dressers are just a few of the furnishings that can be found in even the most minimalist sleeping space. As is the case when shopping around for other types of furniture, dependability and resiliency should factor prominently into your decision making whenever you’re scoping out potential new additions to your bedroom.

Fortunately, there are easy ways for you to score first-rate bedroom furniture while doing your part for the environment. In addition to limiting yourself to options made from eco-friendly materials, you should also explore furnishings made from reclaimed wood. As the name suggests, reclaimed wood refers to wood collected from abandoned structures, like barns, factories and warehouses.

This wood is then “upcycled” and used to create a wide variety of home furnishings. So, if you’re currently in the market for a new bed-frame, shelf or any other piece of bedroom furniture, consider the benefits of reclaimed wood. In addition to getting a well-built piece of furniture, you’ll be actively aiding wood conservation efforts.

Install Energy-Efficient Windows

The temperature in your bedroom can have a dramatic impact on the overall quality of your slumber. This is particularly apparent during the frigid winter months and blisteringly hot summer season, when extreme temperatures abound. In order to combat uncomfortably hot and cold weather, many of us rely on home heating and cooling systems. While such systems are essential in modern-day homes, overusing them is bad for both your household’s carbon footprint and your personal finances.

This isn’t to say that you should never rely on high-tech heating and cooling, but there are steps you can take to make your family less dependent on it.

For example, energy-efficient windows can effectively seal in warm air during the winter and cool air during the summer, thereby helping your bedroom – and any other areas in which these windows are installed – maintain a consistently comfortable temperature. Unlike standard single-paned windows, energy-efficient windows contain multiple panes, making it difficult for outside air to enter and inside air to escape.

Utilize Practical Heat-Trapping Solutions

As previously stated, extreme temperatures can be a huge detriment to a good night’s sleep – especially throughout the winter months. If you live in an area that’s regularly hit with brutally cold winters, there are a number of eco-friendly heat-trapping solutions that are sure to serve you well. For instance, thermal curtains can effectively seal in heat, especially when paired with energy-efficient windows.

Additionally, make sure you have plenty of flannel and cotton bedding on hand. Sheets and comforters made from these materials can keep you warm throughout the icy winter nights, ensuring a peaceful night’s slumber regardless of how much the temperature is falling outside.

There’s little wonder as to why so many households have opted to reduce their carbon footprints in recent years. With the worsening effects of climate change now impossible to deny, many of us feel compelled to do right by the environment and help offset some of the damage. Additionally, taking steps towards a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to be inconvenient or prohibitively expensive. Whether you’ve been living green for years or are just dipping your toes in the pond, the previously discussed bedroom alterations can be a boon to your eco-friendly efforts.