Designing a Low-Tox Kids Room

updated 11/2025

When designing a “big kids room” its worth taking some time to make sure you are not adding furniture and decor that will be adding unnecessary chemical exposure to the bedroom. Children sleep, on average 9-12 + hours a day and this is a period where our bodies do some important detoxing…. children - because of their small size- are more vulnerable than adults to toxins … all of this to say that its important to reduce our exposure to harmful environmental toxins in the bedroom

️TIP: Focus on the items that are closest to your child when they sleep & largest in size⁣
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Ultimately the room layout and design will play a roll on what the priority list will look like for 𝘺𝘰𝘶 but here is what I usually recommend:⁣
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Priority items: ⁣
Mattress, pillows, sheets & mattress protector⁣
Invest in organic since you child will be sleeping anywhere from 9-12 hrs on these every single day. You do not want them breathing in flame retardants nor pvc ⁣

Both my sons had Naturepedic mattresses ( discount code ‘3littleplums’) and my daughter has a My Green Mattress crib mattress and we have their King mattress

Now, in our new homes: my daughter and middle son have the NAturepedic Verse Mattress (discount code: 3littleplums for 15% off) , my 15 year old has the customizable Savvyrest Serenity mattress (discount code: AIDASPICKS for 20% off)

Pillows are from: Happsy, Naturepedic (discount code: 3littleplums) and Shephards Dream ( i have a full pillow review of all my family pillows here). In our new home we have: Avocado mattress Green pillows and Savvy REst wool pillows (discount code: AIDASPICKS)

Mattress protector is Avocado mattress and Naturepedic (discount code: 3littleplums)

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Bedframe⁣
Again, due to the proximity to a sleeping child this is an important item to consider. Composite wood can emit formaldehyde. Upholstery can emit flame retardants, vocs & pfas chemicals. Metal could be an issue with magnifying EMF. Solid wood is an ideal choice ⁣

This solid wood bed frame pictured from my son’s old room (pre fire) is from Room and Board but sadly no longer available. They have this one similar.

Other companies that make solid wood or upholstered without flame retardants nor PFAS beds include:

Avocado: 2 of my kids currently have their City Bedframe

Savvy Rest: (discount code: AIDASPICKS) Has a couple of solid wood designs available.

Nico and Yeye (floor bed model and not floor)
⁣Romina

Naturepedic (discount code: 3littleplums)

Thuma

Medley

Area rug ⁣
Many Conventional rugs will emit: formaldehyde, pfas, heavy metals & more. Choose an organic certified rug like this from Organic Weave (discount code: 3LITTLEPLUMS for 10% off ) or choose a natural fiber rug. I really love Rugsbyroo they sell both organic weave & other (more affordable but low tox ) rugs: Discount code ‘PLUMS15 for 15% off! ⁣

For a smaller rug, newcomers Sage & Wild has organic cotton washable rugs that come in cute designs. My daughter has their flower rug in her playspace; I love how soft it is!
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Walls⁣
If you are painting the walls make sure the paint is zero or very low voc, zero APE and contains no antimicrobials.⁣
If you are using wallpaper look to my nursery reveal post which has details on what to choose.⁣
If you are using decorative decalls avoid those made with pvc.⁣
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Windows and/or closet

( depending on their size- this will be dependent on the room layout /design)⁣
Window treatments often have pfas & heavy metals &/or pvc. My new organic clothing guide has a bonus section with my favorite options for organic window treatments! ⁣

My window treatments are custom made using linen and polyester backing for blackout


Closets:

If installing a new closet in a childs room i would reconsider composite wood bc of the levels of formaldehyde it will emit. Metal is a better option here⁣
My kids closets ( not pictured) are from ikea Boaxel
Container store Elfa is a similar option
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Second priority⁣

1. BEDDING

• Comforters/ duvet: organic cotton, organic bamboo, 100% cotton. Avoid synthetics⁣
  I have over 20 organic bedding options listed jn my organic clothing guide for inspo!
  Comforter is from Pendelton Wool - Glacial National Park collection (100% cotton)
  Duvet cover ( white) from Under the Canopy
  Duvet insert from Simply Organic Bamboo code: AIDASPICKS for 25% off

Other duvet inserts we have/ have had at home:

Avocado Down Insert : filled with down that is ethically sourced and Responsible Down Standard certified.

Avocado Alpaca Insert : Percale Organic Cotton Duvet Cover is stitched with long-staple organic cotton in a 200 thread-count, tight-knit weave that’s naturally breathable and sleeps cool. Well-suited for warm climates and hot sleepers, the durable bedding gets softer with every wash.

• Weighted Blanket:

So many are synthetic (made of polyester) but Bearaby is made with organic cotton. My son LOVES it.

• Blanket (discount code: AIDA)

Most kids love a cozy blanket, but these are almost always made with polyester. I finally got my kids to try Aizome’s organic cotton soft knit blanket and they love it! We only have one at home right now and we all kind of fight over it LOL def need to get a new one this holiday!

• Bed Sheets

GOTS certified is what you are looking for. Lucky for you there are many companies that make these now a days! Some that I have used/ love:

AIZOME: (discount code: AIDA) If your child is extra sensitive (or you just want the purest material available) I would consider AIZOME bedsheets (this is what my highly allergenic son uses) These are made with regenerative cotton and either undyed or dyed with plant dyes- so absolutely ZERO synthetic chemicals come into contact with these sheets!

Coyuchi by Avocado: two well known companies in the low tox bedding room teamed up to design some really pretty GOTS certified bedding

Naturepedic: ( discount code : 3LITTLEPLUMS) plain in design but great quality too

Crate and Barrel also makes cute GOTS certified blankets for kids!

2. Nightstands/ dressers/ desks:

The ideal⁣ is solid wood but if you choose composite wood let it off gas before bringing indoors and make sure it is - at least- Greenguard Certified. Some companies we have used/ or have:

• Avocado

• Naturepedic (discount code: 3littleplums)

• Medley

• MAx & Lily ( my kids currently have their ‘Mid Cenury Modern Table Nightstands”)

• Oeuf

Hope this is helpful. Rememeber: you do not have to make all of these changes at once! We just got the area rug a few weeks ago and my son is 9! we just didnt have a rug in his room before!

Some things you can incorporate today that can help reduce your exposure to toxins are:

1. open windows daily to allow fresh air in and toxins out

2. clean/dust often since most toxins migrate to dust

3. avoid electronics in bedrooms like tvs since these all contain flame retardant chemicals

4. use an air filter at night if you have one

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