How to decorate your bathroom in an affordable and sustainable way
The bathroom is one of the rooms in your home with the most potential to be updated and turned into a more sustainable space. Also, because it's used by the whole family, any small changes you make to both your use habits and to the fixtures could result in a big improvement for your loved ones and the planet.
Want to find out what you can do to transform your bathroom into a more environmentally friendly space? Don't miss these simple tips on how to make your bathroom a little bit greener. You'll see that it only takes a little effort to be much more sustainable.
1. Choose bathroom textiles made from renewable materials
This is one of the simplest and most affordable changes that you can implement to make your bathroom more sustainable. If you think about it, this room contains a large variety of textiles: bath towels, hand towels, bathrobes, bath mats, shower curtains etc. So, replacing them with textiles made from renewable materials could be a good first step. Let's have a look!
Cotton is always a safe bet for your bath towels. As well as being a renewable material, all IKEA towels are made from sustainable sources. This means that we guarantee that all cotton is recycled or grown with less water and fewer pesticides, all while increasing profit margins for farmers.
And speaking of recycling! When you need to replace them, don't forget to put them in the right bin or take them to your nearest recycling location so that they can be given a new life.
Don't stop at checking the composition of your bath towels – go even further and change the rest of your bathroom textiles like the bath mat and even your bathroom slippers.
You can replace your oldest or most worn items with more sustainable ones made from cotton or recycled polyester, for example. It's a fantastic way to keep pampering your feet as it still feels soft and fluffy, and you'll also be doing your bit for the environment.
Environmentally friendly shower curtains? Of course we've got them! At IKEA, we have a wide range of shower curtains made from recycled polyester, which are a perfect alternative.
When it comes to those made from plastic, they've been produced in a more sustainable way using PEVA, a chlorine-free plastic. Oh! And on some of our shower curtains, the design has been embossed to avoid the use of chemical products. That also helps to reduce our environmental impact. What do you think?
2. Install water-saving taps
Did you know that you can use up to 50% less water be replacing your bathroom taps with more sustainable ones? This is one of the big advantages that a more eco-friendly lifestyle has to offer, as you can reduce waste and energy consumption in your home, saving you a bit of extra money.
In the bathroom, for example, a good investment (and not necessarily an expensive one) is to install bathroom taps with a flow regulator. The aerator in the tap keeps the water flowing at the right rate, using less water and energy, which has a direct impact on your bills and the planet. Our taps with strainers are tested and certified in line with European mechanical, quality, safety and hygiene standards, including Kiwa. And we're so sure of their quality and efficiency that they come with a 10-year guarantee.
3. Decorate with bamboo furniture
Bathroom furniture can also help to make a home more environmentally friendly. So, if you have the opportunity to furnish it or add some new furniture, consider choosing products made from renewable materials.
Bamboo, for example, is great for decorating and organising your bathroom. It's a renewable, affordable and highly resistant material that can withstand the humidity and steam in your bathroom. We also love the natural style it adds to the room. If you combine it with a touch of green from some natural plants, you'll create a clean and peaceful setting. At IKEA, we have a special range of bamboo furniture called RÅGRUND that can fit in all kinds of spaces.
4. Add boxes and baskets made from renewable materials
In small spaces like bathrooms, decor and organisation go hand in hand. It's best to add accessories that make the room look stylish without compromising on everyday practicality. To add a sustainable touch, we recommend being conscious of the materials these accessories are made from.
You can use beautiful handmade baskets, like those made from seagrass or recycled polypropylene, to store spare towels or rolls of toilet tissue. These are handmade by our skilled craftspeople, meaning that your product will be unique. If you don't want something as big as a basket, you can always choose a smaller size, like the baskets seen here, which can be hung anywhere you like.
You can also opt for accessories that you can use to store smaller items, such as cotton buds/wool or perfume bottles and creams. Organise them easily with affordable accessories made from recyclable materials. Glass jars, boxes with compartments, make-up organisers and even small baskets for the accessories that you use the most.
5. Good habits for your bathroom routine
Using the most environmentally friendly items isn't the only thing we can do to make our bathrooms sustainable – our daily habits should be eco-friendly too.
Let's have a quick look at how to get the most out of our bathroom routine.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or lathering your hands with soap.
- Time your showers so you don't take too long.
- Use cold water for other things; for example, while you're waiting for the water to get hot, fill a bucket with the cold water and use it to mop the floor.
- Don't shower with very hot water, as it increases energy consumption and it's also not recommended for your skin.
Get an organised and efficient bathroom with these simple and affordable tips. Plunge into the world of sustainability and discover all the benefits awaiting you. If you'd like to find out more, don't miss these ideas that we recommend below.
We love it when customers use our products in a creative way. Why not try to do something new with them yourself? But do remember, any modifications or changes that you make to IKEA products will prevent them from being resold or used for their original purpose, thus invalidating IKEA product warranties and your right to return.
