Did you know that we spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors? That makes it even more important for your child’s room to feel inviting and comfortable. We’ll explain why an environmentally friendly setup matters and share eight tips for a low-emission children’s room.
Whether it’s wall paint, furniture, carpets, or toys—everything in the home releases substances into the indoor air, including some that can affect your child’s health and well-being. A baby’s skin is even thinner and more permeable than an adult’s. As soon as your little explorer becomes mobile, they begin to discover their surroundings with all their senses—especially with their mouth. Children are therefore automatically more exposed to pollutants in their environment, and because their bodies are still developing, they react more sensitively. That’s why you should pay particular attention in the children’s room and make sure the furnishings don’t contain health-threatening pollutants such as volatile organic compounds, plasticizers, or insect repellents.
1. Pay attention to the flooring
The floor is the creative playground where your child will likely spend a lot of time in the coming years. If you have a say in the flooring in your apartment or house, it’s best to choose an option made from harmless, natural materials—for example, a solid wood floor. Linoleum is also made from wood or other renewable raw materials such as cork. Another advantage of this rollable flooring is that it’s warm, durable, and elastic. Important: When installing the floor, make sure the adhesive used is also free of harmful substances. If you can’t change the flooring, a rug or carpet can help create a cozy atmosphere in the children’s room. Here, too, natural materials such as (wood) wool, sisal, coconut, or jute are the first choice.
2. Choosing the right wall color
The wall paint in their little kingdom will likely be there for quite a while. Along with an appealing shade, low emissions of pollutants also matter when making your choice. The paint should contain no solvents or other questionable ingredients such as preservatives or plasticizers, and it should be breathable. Various eco-labels provide information about its safety. In general, pollutant-free and open-pore paints such as lime, silicate, casein or glue paint, and natural resin dispersions are recommended. It’s best to get advice directly from a specialist retailer.
3. Buy furniture made from as low-emission materials as possible
Furniture made from renewable natural materials is not only more sustainable, but also more timeless and durable than many alternatives—making it ideal for your child’s room. Wood, in particular, can positively influence the indoor climate thanks to its breathable properties: its open-pored surface absorbs moisture, releases it again, and helps regulate humidity. To keep the surface breathable, make sure it has been treated only with natural oils and waxes, not chemicals. Not all wood is the same, either: domestic woods such as birch, beech, or spruce are often more sustainable due to shorter transport routes and are generally more environmentally friendly than tropical solid wood or chipboard, which may have been chemically treated. The certificate of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C135956) provides information about products made from raw materials sourced from responsible forest management. FSC® promotes environmentally friendly, socially just, and economically viable forest management worldwide. By the way: all LILLYDOO diapers, wet wipes, and changing mats carry the FSC® certificate (FSC® C135956), as the ingredients based on wood come from responsibly managed forests.
4. Invest in furniture with a long lifespan
When you want furniture that will bring joy well beyond the baby and toddler years, investing in higher-quality pieces is worthwhile—not just financially. A grow-with-me bed, an adjustable desk, or a dresser with a removable changing pad is also more sustainable thanks to long-term use. To make sure the furniture still appeals to you and your child in a few years, it’s best to choose a timeless design rather than an extravagant one. With a few accessories, you can always add fresh accents from time to time.
Another sustainable—and, above all, affordable—alternative is second-hand children’s furniture. Ask relatives or friends with older children whether they have a piece or two to pass along. Browsing flea markets, children’s second-hand stores, or online platforms can also be worthwhile. Another advantage of used furniture is that any potential pollutants—often released most strongly by new furniture—have likely already dissipated.
5. Set up the changing area sustainably
In addition to the changing table itself, the accessories you choose can also support a more sustainable (children’s room) setup. You can avoid unnecessary waste by choosing a changing pad with a removable, washable cover and using warm water and soft, washable washcloths to clean your little explorer. Simply prepare a thermos of warm water on the changing table in the morning so you have pleasantly tempered water available throughout the day. For on the go, our are a great alternative: they’re made from 100% plastic-free cloth and therefore help protect the environment. If you’d also like to take a step toward sustainability with your diapers—without compromising on absorbency and comfort—our are the right choice. This diaper line features innovative paper packaging and uses as little plastic as possible otherwise. The remaining plastic is offset by LILLYDOO, in cooperation with Plastic Bank®, by removing the exact amount of plastic from the environment that is contained in the product. The diaper line also relies on unbleached cellulose in the diaper core as an environmentally friendly alternative.
6. Choose pollutant-free textiles
Not only furniture, but also textiles in the children’s room can influence the indoor climate and may contain pollutants. That’s why, when choosing curtains, cushions, blankets, and mattresses, you should pay close attention to the materials. Sustainably produced items made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and wool are a better choice for your little explorer’s room than plastics like polyester and similar materials. Natural textiles not only have self-cleaning properties, but the allergy risk is also significantly lower because they don’t contain softeners and other chemicals. Various seals, such as the GOTS label or OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification, provide information about textile product safety. Did you know that our LILLYDOO diapers, wet wipes, and changing mats are also awarded OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 in product class 1 (items for babies and toddlers up to 3 years)? This certifies that they have been tested for harmful substances according to the strict criteria of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100.
7. Watch out when buying toys
Even more than furniture or wall paint, your child is sure to be interested in their . When choosing toys, try to avoid plastic as much as possible—just as you would with furnishings—since it can contain harmful substances such as plasticizers. Toys made from materials like cotton or wood that have been tested for safety can be explored freely with all the senses, and sometimes even with the mouth. Despite all good intentions, you may have noticed that brightly colored plastic toys are often the most popular with little ones. ;) Don’t worry—you don’t have to ban everything from the children’s room: Toys sold in the EU must meet certain standards. However, exceptions can occur, so if you want to be on the safe side, look for the GS mark when purchasing. It stands for “tested safety” and confirms that the legal requirements for safety and harmful substances have been met.
8. Think Minimalistically
Admittedly, minimalism isn’t the first word that comes to mind when you think of children, and it can be difficult to implement with babies and toddlers. Still, it can help to approach purchases thoughtfully and question them. Even if it’s hard to resist adorable children’s accessories, consider what your child truly enjoys and what they really need. This way, you can avoid accumulating unnecessary items that are only used for a short time.
We hope we’ve been able to share some helpful tips for sustainable, low-pollution nursery décor. You can find more tips on how to make your little explorer’s domain not only beautiful but also safe in our article "". We wish you and your baby many wonderful hours in your children’s room!
