Bedroom Decorating Ideas to make your room healthy and non-toxicIdeas to improve the health of your bedroom and limit toxic and chemical exposures As you decorate your bedroom , keep these principles in mind for making it healthy: *1) Keep the room simple and uncluttered. The fewer items you have in the room, the healthier it will be. There will be less harmful things to be exposed to, and fewer things to clean.This one principle alone makes a big difference in the healthiness of your bedroom. *2) Prioritize which items you really need in the room: You will certainly need a bed, perhaps a nightstand or two and lamps, one or two dressers, and perhaps a table and/or chair. That is all you really need. If you add many more things, it can keep your room from becoming the healthy oasis you need it to be. Your bedroom should be designed primarily to promote restful sleep and be a haven from the rest of the chemically-overloaded world. Also be aware of EMF's (electromagnetic fields) which are produced by anything electrical in the room. Keep alarm clocks and lamps as far away from your bed as you can, while sleeping, to cut down on these exposures. While it's not completely clear about all the harm these can cause, it seems pretty certain that they damage human cells and the less you are exposed to these, the better. Unfortunately, we are exposed to many of these, especially if your house has electricity. There is wiring all around you in the rooms behind the walls. But the more you can limit these exposures, especially from objects very close to you, the better it is. *3) When painting , use non-toxic paints whenever possible. Many paint colors produce various moods and feelings when entering the room. Choose a bedroom color scheme that is appealing to you. Avoid wall-papers as these often contain chemicals which off-gas into the room, and over time can become moldy on the backings especially if the room has any excess moisture. *4) Use natural solid woods whenever possible for bedroom furniture. Particle boards and synthetic materials can off-gas large amounts of undesirable chemicals and odors. Keep this in mind if you have a headboard or want one. Many contain foams, and synthetic materials which are not healthy. *5) For bedroom flooring , use natural wood and avoid carpets, especially if you have health issues or allergies. Bedroom rugs can be used and can be a healthier choice than carpeting. *6)Decorating with plants can be a healthy addition to a bedroom. Make sure they are real (not plastic or synthetic) and change the dirt in the pots frequently (every 3-4 months or so) to cut down on mold exposures. Some plants can be just as effective and even more so than some room air purifiers. Plants also add an aesthetically pleasing touch to a bedroom, giving you a sense of the outdoors or creating a tropical or restful look. *7) Wall decorating: avoid synthetic or dried floral arrangements (unless they are encased and sealed in frames) as these contain many chemicals. Use organic fabric wall hangings, metal sculptures or sconces with candles to create a cozy or romantic feel to the room. You could create your own unique wall pictures from your own photos for a personalized touch to the room. *8) Bedding: The use of organic bedding such as sheets, pillows, comforters and mattresses will cut down on chemical and pesticide exposures which can be absorbed through the skin or lungs while sleeping. Remember, non-organic mattresses contain fire-retardants which contain chemicals that are harmful to humans and pets.
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