Sustainability In Interior Design Series - Week 4
Sustainable Bedroom Design
Designing Sustainable Bedrooms
Welcome to week 4 of our series exploring sustainable design in interiors. This week we are going to deep dive in to bedroom design, so grab a cuppa, get comfy on your sofa and lets dive in!
How on earth do you create a sustainable bedroom I hear you cry. Well lets start with what surely is the most important item in a bedroom; the thing sleep on – your mattress!
According to National Institute of Heath we spend as spend about a 1/3 of our lives sleeping or trying to sleep.
Perhaps you saw on social media recently the spate of videos showing instagrammers cutting open their mattresses to find fibreglass in them, whilst it is important to point out that the majority of these videos originate from America, the UK mattress industry also often uses synthetic materials or chemicals you might be surprised to find yourself sleeping on.
I’d highly recommend checking out companies that have a planet friendly approach at the heart of their manufacturing processes. Naturalmat are based in Devon and make award winning mattresses in their solar powered workshop from natural breathable fibres such as wool and organic coir that are either biodegradable or recyclable.
Purify with plants
Biophilia is the idea that humans have an innate tendency to seek connection with nature and there is growing evidence that bringing real plants into your bedroom can boost your wellbeing. NASA’s Clean Air Study found that certain plants could remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours. Plants such as Peace Lily, Philodendron, Dragon Plant and Snake Plant are all fairly straightforward to look after so a good starting place.
If you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, it may also be worth considering an air purifier in addition to plants.
Clear your clutter
Not only is clutter distracting it also gathers dust which can cause breathing issues when you sleep. Clear spaces promote clear minds which in turn promotes a good nights sleep.
Companies to Champion
Where luxury meets eco, this British company make handmade natural duvets from recycled feathers, down and synthetics.
Preloved pillows and duvets are sorted and cleaned and then the filing is repurposed removing the need to use virgin materials in their products.
Button & Spring
Bed & mattress manufacturer run a Second Sleep project to recycle customers old pocket sprung mattresses (regardless of where purchased) and FOC! The natural fillings go through a sanitation process and then 95% of the old contents are regenerated into a new mattress.
Bedrooms seem to be a space where industries are leading the way in sustainable design and whilst the price point tends to be higher for their products there is immense satisfaction in knowing your purchase is not harming the world. We spend 1/3 of our lives asleep and in close contact with our mattresses and bedding so this is a room where considering the products you are touching and whose fumes you are ingesting is essential.
What changes have you made to your bedroom that are sustainable? We love hearing your ideas.
Becky x