Since governments are asking citizens to stay at home to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, it is only natural to want to create a safe and beautiful space for ourselves and families. Here are some ways to design a comfortable, sustainable bedroom while continuing to give Mother Nature a chance to recover and heal from destructive human activities.
1. Eco-Friendly Mattresses
The pandemic and associated health and financial impacts has caused stress and anxiety. It is crucial that we take care of ourselves during this time, whether we test positive or not to COVID-19.
One way to get optimal health is getting lots of sleep and a comfortable mattress will definitely help to achieve that. An eco-friendly mattress also forms the basis of a sustainable bedroom. Here are a few mattress brands to check out:
Plushbeds
Most mattresses are produced and contain harmful chemicals including toxic adhesives and petroleum-based foams which can pollute the environment, irritate the skin and release toxins no matter how old the mattress.
One of the great benefits of purchasing a PlushBeds mattress is that it is certified and accredited by independent organisations and meets the highest health, environmental and social standards. Plushbeds mattresses are GreenGuard Certified, Oeko-Tek Standard 100 Certified and eco-INSTITUT Certified which ensure that harmful toxins aren’t used in the manufacturing of these beds.
Made from natural materials such as GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton and organic latex, PlushBeds mattresses are a healthier and safer mattress option and the premium quality materials and workmanship is superior to most mattresses, and at a reasonable cost considering the company’s strong commitment to environment and ethical and sustainable business practices and its use of high-quality inputs. The business also produces a range of cruelty-free and vegan mattresses.
Loom & Leaf
The high-performance, affordable eco-friendly memory foam mattress from Loom & Leaf is made in the USA and has an organic cotton cover and comes in two firmness options, Relaxed Firm and Firm.Hand-delivered. It is delivered and set up in your home, never stuffed in a box and left for you to organise yourself. This brand is a sub-brand of luxury mattress brand Saatva.
Amerisleep
American mattress business Amerisleep manufactures its foam mattresses in the United States using advanced technology and eco-friendly materials such as HIVE® technology for coils that alleviate physical pain and pressure and Bio-Pur® to moderate moisture and air.
The business produces different mattresses to match different comfort requirements, offers a 20-year warranty on and ships across the USA – for free. All Amerisleep mattresses are certified by CertiPUR-US®.
2. Sustainable Bedding
Of course, what’s an eco-friendly mattress without sustainable bedding? Sheets that are made from natural fibers and free from harsh chemical treatments that could expose you, your loved ones and the planet to harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and synthetic pesticides. Choosing eco-friendly and organic bedding to match your sustainable mattress is essential for a comfortable, blissful slumber. Here are some eco-friendly bedsheets worth buying:
Coyuchi
Curl up and experience eco-luxury with Coyuchi‘s certified organic cotton bedding, sheets and duvet covers. They are all ethically-made and Coyuchi also has a stunning organic linen bedding collection too!
SOL Organic
SOL Organics produces high-quality yet super affordable organic cotton sheets that are GOTS-certified and Fair-Trade. The brand also manufacturers a range of beautiful 100% European linen sheets.
ettitude
Eco-conscious bedding Australian brand ettitude responsibly manufactures luxurious bed sheets and doona covers and pillowcases that are made from organic bamboo – and at budget-friendly prices!
Huut
Huut‘s high-quality organic cotton sheets are GOTS-certified and are ethically made in Fair-Trade certified factories.
Bed Threads
Bed Threads sheets are made from 100% flax linen, a natural and durable fibre that will last for years and ideal for both warm summer nights and cold winter days.
3. Sustainable Bed Frames
Before purchasing new, try scouting for a second-hand bed frame on eBay, Facebook community groups or Craigslist. You’ll save a little money and be helping the planet by using an existing resource.
For brand new sustainable bed frames, there’s Area Home for Scandinavian bed frames designed by the talented New Yorkers Magnus Lundstrom and Anki Spets and made in the USA from Solid American White Oak, Solid American Walnut and FSC Certified Sustainable American Ash.
For a wide range of bed frame styles, from cleaner styles to sturdier-looking ones, there’s also Greenington bed frames that are made from eco-friendly Moso bamboo, a fast-growing hard plant that grows abundantly in China.
4. Nightstands & Side Tables
For stylish and consciously made side tables, you’re going to love the ones on offer by Masaya & Co. Built with sustainably harvested hardwood and handcrafted in Nicaragua, you’ll want these beautiful and functional side tables at your bedside. Greenington also makes a gorgeous range of bedside tables and nightstands in a variety of shades to complement any bedroom.
5. Eco-Friendly rugs
Many rugs and carpets found in retail stores are typically mass-produced and contain polyester or plastic fibers but the ones on offer by ethical marketplace Made Trade are not only gorgeous, they are also made from natural and organic fibres and are handcrafted by skilled artisans who are paid fairly for their work.
Our fave ethical rug brands include the Minna rugs (pictured below) handwoven by a co-operative in Huancay in Peru and made from locally-sourced sheep wool and cotton and the Kilim 100% cotton rugs handmade by artisans in Fowwa, Egypt.
6. Eco-Friendly Pillows
Your bed won’t be complete without some eco-friendly pillows to rest your head on. Coyuchi makes organic latex pillows. Fern Earth manufactures 100% natural latex pillows wrapped in GOTS-certified organic cotton covers and SOL Organics products organic cotton down pillows. For USA-made GOLS organic certified latex vegan pillows you’ll love the Avocado Green Pillow.
7. Eco-Friendly Blankets & Throws
An eco-friendly blanket or throw adds a touch of coziness to any bedroom. Non-profit enterprise Anchal Project produces a stunning collection of handstitched one-of-a-kind naturally-dyed quilts, blankets and throws made from natural fibres such as 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. All artisans are fairly paid and all Anchal products are Fair Trade verified.
Fair-trade bedding company Boll & Branch also produces a luxurious range of eco-friendly blankets made from organic cotton and comes in a variety of styles such as chunky cable knit throw blankets and herringbone blankets.
There’s also cozy recycled wool blankets from Seljak, an Australian sustainable label making blankets from textiles waste off the factory floor at Australia’s oldest wool mill in Tasmania using a near century year old wool mill in Lithuania.
8. Eco-Friendly Sleepwear
An eco-friendly bedroom wouldn’t be the same without sustainable sleepwear and related attire such as slippers, socks and robes. There are some wonderful brands creating nighties, pajamas and long tees made from certified organic and environmentally-friendly fabrics including Pact Apparel, Boody and Reformation. Our comprehensive guide to sustainable sleepwear labels will help you find the style you’re looking for and covers sleepwear collections for men, women and children.
9. Ethical Cushions
Unique, handcrafted cushions thrown on your bed gives it a distinctive style and gives your entire bedroom character. We recommend browsing the huge range of beautiful and fair-trade artisan-made cushions by Minna, Archive New York and August Sage.
10. Soy Candles
To bring a touch of romance into the bedroom, some soy candles will do the trick. Check out Maison Blanche and Palm Beach Collection for hand poured, luxurious scented soy candles to pamper and heighten the senses.
Disclosure: All information and prices are correct at time of publishing. This curated list does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying special attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. This list also includes affiliate links. Click here to read more about our policies.
Feature image of Minna Peach and Sage Pantelho Throw via Made Trade.
