Select the icons to get remodeling tips for each area of the room.

Additional resources

• EcoBusiness Environmental Directory external link
  Provides an extensive list of links to companies that specialize in eco-friendly products for any home remodeling project
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options – from the King County Solid Waste Division
  Provides information on how to best dispose of household hazardous waste
• VaPrecision external link
  Online store for purchase of calcium chloride vapor emission test kits for concrete floors
• King County Solid Waste Division What Do I Do With…? website
  Provides information about where you can recycle carpet in King County
• Carpet America Recovery Effort external link
  Contains a searchable map of places you can recycle carpet
• Consumer Reports Greener Choices external link
  Consumer Reports guide to choosing green products
• Insulation and Air Sealing from the U.S. Department of Energy external link
• U.S. Department of Energy Home Energy Audits external link
• Build It Green external link
  Fact sheet on Green Carpet
• Ravenworks Joinery external link
  Produces finely crafted and detailed environmentally-friendly furniture and cabinetry
• EcoBalanza external link Eco-friendly sofas
• Urban Hardwoods external link Wood furniture made from local salvaged lumber
• Dunn Lumber external link
  A family-owned supplier of building materials including FCS certified lumber
• Green Home Solutions external link
  A Seattle-based company providing quality green building products including certified flooring, cabinets, countertops and tile
• Norberry Tile external link
  A specialty tile showroom featuring sustainable surfaces

Bedroom Flooring

• For best air quality, choose hard surface flooring such as wood, natural linoleum or cork instead of carpeting. Natural fiber carpets, such as wool or jute, are also typically better for indoor air quality.
• Look for recycled-content flooring products.
• If considering carpet, look for carpet, padding and adhesives that are labeled as emitting less volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Choose low-pile carpet to minimize allergens such as pet hair and dust.
• Consider carpet tiles that don't require adhesives; worn or stained tiles can be replaced individually.
• Consider small areas of carpet or soft furnishings for sound dampening/acoustics. Exposure to excess noice can impact the quality of sleep.
• If carpet is present, clean regularly to maintain good indoor air quality and decrease exposure to allergens (e.g. dust mites).
• View more Eco-Cool Remodel flooring resources

Furnishings

• Select furnishings with environmentally friendly finishes and wood resources (FSC-certified), and organic fabrics.
• Buy bedding made of natural latex, wool or organic cotton.
• Buy TB-117-2013 compliant products to avoid harmful flame retardants in furniture with foam cushions.
• Clean bedding regularly to maintain good indoor air quality and decrease exposure to allergens (e.g. dust mites).
• Green Product Buying GuideDownload PDF 500 K.
• Bedding made of natural latex, wool or organic cotton can help to reduce allergens and are biodegradable, so they will break down at the end of their life.
• Consider buying used, recycled and antique furnishings to reduce demands on natural resources while helping to create period-specific aesthetics, while oftentimes saving you money.
• Keep furnishings at least one foot from baseboard heaters and floor registers, and make sure they do not cover baseboards, wall heaters or forced air heat vents.

Bedroom Paints and Coatings

• Test for lead-based paint before you do any sanding or wall demolition if your house was built before 1978.
• Consider natural alternatives to paints, such as clay plaster.
• Choose low-toxic, low-VOC or Zero-VOC paints.
• Typical low VOC levels are:
  • Less than 150 g/L for flat paints
  • < 50 g/L for non-flat paints
• ****Consider use of recycled or "reworked" paint and finishes that do not contain lead or cadmium for any re-painted surfaces.
• Choose low-toxic, low-VOC paints since they are safer to handle, easier to clean up and do not emit harmful fumes as they dry.
• If your house was built before 1978, make sure you test for lead-based paint before you do any sanding or wall demolition, especially in a nursery or child's bedroom. Because their brains are still developing, children are very vulnerable to lead, a highly toxic neurotoxin.
• Consider lighter-colored paints to reduce artificial lighting needs.
• Select clay plaster as an alternative to paint to create a rich, natural texture. It is breathable, mold resistant, hypo-allergenic and low-toxic.
• View more Eco-Cool Remodel paints and coatings resources

Bedroom Lighting

• Replace all incandescent light bulbs with LEDs.
• Install ENERGY STAR-labeled light fixtures.
• Consider timers, occupancy sensors or motion detectors, especially in the bedroom closet.
• Consider black or smart switches that turn off all outlets which do not incorporate clocks or other electronics which cannot be turned off.
• View more Eco-Cool Remodel lighting resources