6 Eco-Friendly DIY Upgrades You Can Do in Your Bedroom

Making your bedroom eco-friendly is something that can provide real health benefits and reinvent your space. This is becoming an increasingly important approach as the need for improving our environmental impact grows, and while you may feel like you’re just one person who can’t change the world, you can still make a difference. Here are some upgrades you can do yourself.

1. Make the bedroom a sleep haven

The best part of DIY is personalizing your room. You definitely need to make your bedroom more conducive to sleep, which includes painting it cooler colors, like blue. You should also work on your bed. If your mattress has lost its original support and you’re finding it difficult to fall or stay asleep, a new mattress can solve that. Most mattresses are good for seven to 10 years, so look into recycling your worn-out one. You can contact secondhand stores to see if they’ll take it, see if your local recycling program processes mattresses, or even see if the mattress store will take it from you.

2. Go for second-hand items

If you’re looking to replace or buy furniture, avoid IKEA. Instead, head to a place that sells reclaimed furniture. Whether it’s cars, clothes, or furniture, using second-hand products can reduce emissions and have a positive environmental impact. You can do this for almost anything: bed frames, dressers, chairs, tables, and so on.

If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can go to a garage sale, find a piece of old furniture, and restore it yourself. If you’ve never done this type of DIY project before, look online for instructions, or consult someone with experience. They’ll give you smart advice about avoiding injuries and extra messes.

3. See what you can repurpose or fix

Too often, it’s easier to throw out what you’ve already got and start over with new belongings. Instead, look at what’s in your bedroom, and think of ways you can make over your items. For instance, turning an old bedroom set into something that fits your revamped bedroom’s style by repainting it is surprisingly easy.

4. Donate or sell what you don’t want

Not every item is a keeper, but that doesn’t mean you should throw it away. According to US News, donating bedroom furniture can provide a huge tax deduction and gives your old item a brilliant new life. You can also sell your items, whether it’s online or doing an old-fashioned garage sale. Selling your old items can also help you keep up with the unexpected costs that come with DIY remodels.

5. Check the insulation

If your room is poorly insulated, it can cost more to heat your room and make your energy bill rise, which isn’t the most eco-friendly option. Some insulation is made from fiberglass, but that has been linked to issues with respiratory problems. Never fear: there are good green insulation alternatives, which include polyurethane foam, cellulose, and the surprising option of sheep’s wool.

If you want to upgrade your insulation but aren’t sure where to start, think beyond the fluffy stuff inside the walls and attic. Putting weather stripping around doors, windows, and other open areas that let in outside air is a simple DIY job. If you want to add insulation in tight spaces, it’s best to work with an expert to get the job done.

6. Use safe paint

Some paints release so many volatile organic compounds that the pollutant level in a home can be much higher than outside, so research any paint you plan to use. A good paint job can completely make over a room without changing much else and is one of the simplest DIY techniques anyone can use.

Creating a more eco-friendly living space can save you money and protect your health, all while helping the environment. DIY can be intimidating. However, if you consult experts and look online for products and ideas, you can make it a much smoother process.