Eco-Friendly Decorating Tips for Your College Dorm

With back to school season just around the corner, finding the right college dorm furniture and accessories will probably take some planning. Creating a welcoming space for reading, studying, relaxing, and perhaps entertaining in the college dorm is possible with a little smart furniture selections; if you’re interested in helping the planet as well, you can pick from a variety of eco-friendly and organic accessories, furnishings and decorations. Here are a few tips for creating an eco-friendly college dorm room:

1. Pick out some organic cotton window treatments. Most college dorm rooms have at least one window; dress it up with a small organic cotton or bamboo fiber curtain, window covering, or pick up a printed organic silk scarf for a unique touch.

2. Choose minimalist décor. Remember that efficiency is of high importance here, so picking just a few natural pieces of art for decoration should suffice. Look for bamboo picture frames, organic cotton throws, and jute rugs for an eco-friendly touch.

3. Buy a bamboo plant. Natural bamboo is meant to have some lucky properties (a hot commodity during finals season) and the plant itself can add a Zen-like vibe to your college dorm space.

4. Buy a natural-fill, untreated bed mattress. This is a green-friendly option that can even be delivered to the dorm so you don’t have to worry about transportation as you move.

5. Look for a Forest Stewardship Council Certified bed frame. This means that the wood used to make the bed frame comes from responsibly-managed forests, and any glue used to hold it together will generally be free of inorganic compounds.

6. Buy organic cotton sheets and bedding. You’ll find a variety of soft and cozy sheets and bedding accessories from sites such as Gaiam or EcoMall These chemical-free creations are environmentally safe and may even give you a restful night’s sleep.

7. Look for natural pillows and organic pillowcases. You can enjoy a good night’s rest with husk-based pillows and organic fills that can be scented with essential oils. Add a drop of lavender essential oil to the pillow for even deeper sleep.

8. Buy a Sigg water bottle. Sigg water bottles are great for carrying around campus, but keeping one in the dorm room will save you extra trips to the lounge, as well as using extra plastic bottles. The 20.2 oz. size is ideal for guzzling your daily water requirement.

9. Buy a fluorescent lamp. Most dorm rooms are equipped with halogen torchiere lamps, but you can conserve some electricity with a compact fluorescent one instead.

10. Use a crock pot instead of a microwave. This can take some time to get used to, and you definitely won’t have instant meals at your disposal. Still, if you can learn how to cook with a crockpot or rice cooker, you’ll be saving a lot of energy in the process.

11. Buy fair trade kitchen accessories. From plates to silverware, explore the web for bamboo-based kitchen accessories that are free of toxins and chemical

Even though the standard cotton and fibers can be more cost-effective for the average college student’s budget, there are still plenty of budget and eco-friendly products that offer quality and style. Keep in mind that these items can be a long-term investment, but you can still be plenty creative with your eco-friendly picks!