I want to make sure my nursery is environmentally friendly (and safe for my baby). How can I make my baby's nursery green on a budget?
Sandra F. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and Barbara Nyke of NIKKA Designs, answered;
We all want to save money. When it’s time to decorate a nursery, there are ways to save money, but there are also areas that we shouldn’t skimp on because of ever-changing safety standards. (Ed. Note: For the full list of Canadian safety regulations, visit Health Canada's website.) Earlier generations relied on hand-me downs for cribs, clothing and toys. I don’t think this sharing has ever waned in popularity, primarily for the sake of saving money (since children grow out of items so quickly). Nowadays, there are plenty of stores that have taken this idea commercial and resell used products.
During the spring season, consumers find lamps, rocking chairs and dressers at garage and antique sales. All they would likely need to do is to refinish and repaint the items.
An environmentally friendly and cost-effective paint would be a low-VOC, water-based paint, which would cost approximately $40. It's a small cost to have a non-odorous room. Standard paints and oil paints can take a couple of months to off-gas, depending on the level of ventilation. Naturally-made milk paint is another alternative, but is much more costly. For flooring, an economical way to get broadloom on a budget is to choose an end-of-roll piece that has already off-gassed and is cheaper than buying a new cut.
Green products to update a nursery/children's room:
Everything that goes into creating a nursery can be sustainable. There are plenty of sustainably-made options to choose from for updating a nursery or children’s bedroom.
- Bedding: look for certified organic, cotton, or bamboo sheets.
- Natural rubber crib mattresses.
- Natural fiber flooring or soft flooring such as wool area rugs or broadloom.
- Hard flooring: marmoleum.
- Non-toxic toys: Children love to put things into their mouths, so replace toxic plastic toys with natural wood toys.
- Low-VOC paints or all-natural milk paint.
- CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps): they last eight times longer than incandescent bulbs, but aren’t dimmable.
- Add dimmers to halogen and incandescent bulbs to save electricity.
Barbara Nyke, of NIKKA DESIGN, is an eco-luxe design specialist and an accredited interior decorator. NIKKA DESIGN creates customized spaces using products that are environmentally certified, sustainably manufactured and which will improve indoor air quality.
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