Our children’s future depends on the sustained use of our natural resources. But how can we create a sustainable and healthy environment for our children in our own walls and at the same time preserve our planet’s limited resources while putting our children at the center of the design?
We want to prepare our children for the challenges of a life in the future, want to make sure that they can live healthy and happy lives, and provide them with the knowledge they need for their individual development. This also touches upon the topic of sustainable living and housing. Away from the environmentally harmful throwaway culture towards more sustainability and longevity in the form of eco-friendly furniture made of natural materials – also in the children’s room.
Natural materials for a sustainable nursery
The design classics for sustainable children’s rooms are furniture made of natural materials like wood, which have a positive effect on the indoor climate, because wood ”breathes“ in a similar way to humans. However, for wooden furniture to be truly sustainable and safe, the surfaces should not be treated with varnishes and other harmful materials. This is particularly important to protect children from poisonous substances.
Ecological children’s furniture by Collect Furniture from Denmark
Especially when we are buying a baby crib we should try to avoid treated materials, starting with the right mattress. Here, all safety requirements must be met, especially for baby and toddlers. Mattresses should not be too soft, to avoid the risk of suffocation at night. Mattresses made of natural materials that have been tested for harmful substances are the most suitable. Make sure to check out labels such as OEKOTEX and GOTS.
Kiplis label provides baby mattresses made of natural latex, a high-quality natural material obtained from the tropical tree Hevea in Brazil. Unlike many other companies that assemble manufacturing elements sourced from abroad locally, the mattresses by Kipli are manufactured entirely in Italy. It is Kiplis goal to provide as durable as possible products for the nursery and not to conform to fast-moving trends.
Ecological baby mattress from Kipli
A children’s room that grows with your child
Children’s furniture that grows with your child can ensure greater sustainability in the children’s room. Rather than investing in a new crib during each growth phase, certain stages such as a side, a baby, a junior bed, or a large crib can be used within one bed. The Minimalmaxi – a growing crib made in Germany by Wilja is a perfect example that can be used from birth to about the age of ten.
minimalmaxi – growing cot by Wilja
The growing desk Growing Table by pure position can be easily extended and shortened or be supplemented with additional tools such as a pencil box or bookends. If it is purchased when the child is approx. three years old, it can be used up to approx. twelve years and – due to its robust and durable quality – it can subsequently be passed on to the next generation without any problems.
growing table – a desk that grows with your child by pure position
Furthermore, so-called box plug-in systems are particularly suitable for children’s furniture that grows with the child. The Berlin manufacturer Stocubo offers a complete program including various high shelves, drawer pedestals, and play boxes. Whether a chest of drawers, a desk, or a book tower – due to a system of modules that can be combined in a variety of ways, the children’s room simply grows along with the child’s age.
Stocubo – modular shelving system for the children’s room
Incidentally, it is also important to keep all children’s furniture in a simple design and soft colors so that they can blend into a wide variety of environments. As tempting as it may be to buy furnishings in bright rainbow colors, a child’s aesthetics change as quickly as they grow out of their first pair of shoes.
Ecological natural carpets and accessories in the children’s room
Sustainable furniture for the children’s room also means choosing the accessories wisely. A much healthier alternative to polyester and other synthetic materials are natural materials such as cotton, linen, virgin wool, or hemp. The natural carpets fabricated by myfelt, for example, have a significantly lower allergy risk because they do not contain any softeners. Another positive factor is that materials, such as virgin wool, have self-cleaning properties. Especially in rooms where kids play a lot this quality should not be underestimated.
Lotte – ecological natural carpet from myfelt
Parents can also do something for sustainability in the children’s room regarding lamps and luminaires. Simply replacing the light bulb with an LED lamp is by no means everything. It is important to pay particular attention to the production and durability of the fixture and lampshade. Recommended is the use of lamps like “be creative” from Limundo in Munich, which children can easily design themselves.
be creative – children’s lamp to be designed by the child by Limundo
A sustainable nursery for a healthy future
Ultimately, it is up to the parents how they shape the world for their children and thus to teach them awareness and opportunities for a more sustainable future. More sustainability – and sensibility in everyday living – is not that difficult if you are willing to inform yourself about the materials, origin, processing, and usability of the accessories and furniture that surround children every day. The effort is worthwhile: for the future of our children, the environment, and the planet.