Designing a Low-Tox Kids Room
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
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:
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 have Naturepedic mattresses ( my daughter has a My Green Mattress crib mattress and we have their King mattress)
Pillows are from: Happsy, Naturepedic and Shephards Dream ( i have a full pillow review of all my family pillows here)
Mattress protector is Avocado mattress and Naturepedic
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 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:
Nico and Yeye (floor bed model and not floor)
Avocado Mattress
Romina
Thuma
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!
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.
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
Second priority
1. 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
Nightstands/ dressers/ desks:
The ideal is solid wood but if you choose composite wood let it off gas before bringing indoors
We chose a solid wood sidetable for my son’s nightstand… but I cant remember where I bought it!!! Will post int he future!
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:
open windows daily to allow fresh air in and toxins out
clean/dust often since most toxins migrate to dust
avoid electronics in bedrooms like tvs since these all contain flame retardant chemicals
use an air filter at night if you have one
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