How to Design an Eco-Friendly Bedroom with DIY Wooden Furniture

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Looking to transform your bedroom into a sustainable sanctuary? From building a custom bed frame and floating nightstands to adding a lush green wall, this guide walks you through practical, stylish ways to create an eco-conscious space that reflects your personality while minimizing environmental impact.

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Creating a bedroom that reflects your personality while keeping sustainability at the forefront may seem like a big challenge, but with a little creativity and some DIY spirit, it’s entirely possible. The bedroom is a sanctuary, a place for rest and rejuvenation, so what better way to honor this space than by making it as eco-friendly as it is stylish?

In this post, we’re going to walk you through transforming your bedroom with sustainable, DIY wooden furniture—everything from the bed frame to the nightstands—and adding beautiful green touches with a DIY living green wall. We loved transforming our master bedroom with these changes! Let’s dive into how you can build a serene, sustainable bedroom that you’ll love to wake up to every day.

A Sustainable Master Bedroom with DIY Wooden Furniture

Let’s start with a quick before and after example of our master bedroom and the transformation it underwent. We’ll talk through each of the design elements and eco-friendly features in the next sections.

Before
After

Embracing a Sustainable Sanctuary

The bedroom is the one space where we spend a significant portion of our time, yet it’s often overlooked when it comes to sustainable home design. Many times, people put so much thought into making other rooms eco-friendly with low-energy appliances and product swaps, but the bedroom is where we can create a real sense of calm with conscious choices that benefit both our health and the planet.

When designing a sustainable bedroom, it’s all about reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact, all while creating a beautiful and functional space. From choosing eco-friendly materials and products to incorporating DIY projects, it’s easier than you might think to create a room that is as good for the earth as it is for you. 

We’ll walk through a variety of DIY wooden furniture projects and green design elements that will help you build a more sustainable bedroom.

Starting with Eco-Friendly Paint

Before we dive into the furniture projects, let’s talk about the first step in transforming your space: the walls. While furniture gets a lot of attention, the colors and finishes on your walls are just as important in setting the tone of the room. 

Unfortunately, many conventional paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals that are released into the air. 

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Paint?

Conventional paints often contain a cocktail of chemicals that are harmful to both your health and the environment. These chemicals, known as VOCs, can contribute to indoor air pollution and cause respiratory issues, headaches, and dizziness over time. Not to mention, their production and disposal contribute to environmental damage. 

Low-VOC paints have a smaller ratio of these volatile organic compounds and chemicals like formaldehyde than traditional paints. In the U.S., Zero VOC paints are ones with less than 5 grams of volatile organic compounds per liter. Whereas, natural paint is made with raw ingredients like plant extracts, minerals, and oil. It is also either free of petrochemical ingredients or uses only small amounts that are approved for food production.

Choosing a low- or zero-VOC paint is a simple yet impactful step toward a healthier bedroom environment.

Eco-friendly Paint Recommendations

Here’s a quick list of our favorite go-to eco paints:

  • Behr Premium Plus – low VOC, interior/exterior, look for the ones with Greenguard certification, found in home improvement stores
  • Valspar Simplicity – low VOC and Zero VOC  paint options; interior/exterior, look for the ones with Greenguard certification, found in home improvement stores
  • Real Milk Paint – A Natural paint in 56 colors; interior/exterior, biodegradable/compostable paint, online purchase only
  • Clare – Zero VOC, Greenguard gold certified, interior/exterior, online and direct-to-consumer only
  • Ecos Paints – Zero VOC; has free color matching option, interior/exterior, online purchase, uses 100% post-consumer recycled containers and boxes for shipping

Related –  Eco-friendly Building Materials & Products: A Guide For DIYers & Homeowners

Color Palette Inspiration

When considering color options for a sustainable bedroom, we like to look to nature for inspiration. Neutral shades like soft beiges, warm greys, and creamy whites can create a soothing backdrop that allows your wooden furniture and green wall elements to shine. If you want to add a pop of color, consider shades of green or blue, which bring a calming, natural energy to the space. For an earthy touch, mossy greens or ocean-inspired blues pair beautifully with the natural tones of wood. Honestly, we love using Pinterest to find inspiring color palettes

For our master bedroom makeover, we utilized the following colors and paints:

Application Tips

Before applying your eco-friendly paint, make sure the walls are clean and dry. Start with a primer to create a smooth surface, if needed. When it’s time to paint, use long, even strokes, and don’t rush. Let the paint fully dry between coats for the best results. 

Also, consider using brushes and rollers made from sustainable materials, like bamboo or recycled plastic, to keep your project as eco-friendly as possible. A good angled brush also can allow you to use less tape. With a slow, steady hand, you can edge everything with that brush without the need for painter’s tape! Check out more of our accent wall painting ideas and tips that we’ve used around our home.

DIY Wooden Bed Frame – Where Comfort Meets Sustainability

One of the most rewarding DIY projects you can undertake is building your own bed frame. Not only does this allow you to customize the design to fit your space perfectly, but it also gives you the chance to choose sustainable materials and avoid mass-produced, low-quality furniture that often ends up in landfills. We love the clean-lined and unique DIY bed frame we built!

Choosing Sustainable Wood

When it comes to building your bed frame, the materials you choose make a big difference. Look for FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) lumber, which ensures that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. Reclaimed wood is another excellent option as it not only reduces demand for newly harvested wood but also gives your bed frame a unique, rustic charm. You can often find reclaimed wood at local salvage yards or even through online marketplaces.

Related – Best Eco-friendly Wood Types For Sustainable DIY Projects

Why It’s Worth It

A DIY bed frame is not only a beautiful and functional piece of furniture, but it’s also a symbol of your commitment to sustainability. By choosing eco-friendly materials and building it yourself, you’re reducing waste and avoiding the environmental impact of mass-produced furniture. Plus you’re getting the design aesthetic YOU want, not what the industry thinks is popular and cool. Check out our full process on building our DIY platform bed frame!

Crafting a Custom Headboard from Leftover Wood

No bed is complete without a headboard, and this is another perfect opportunity to flex your DIY muscles while repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste. A wooden headboard adds warmth and texture to your bedroom and can easily be customized to suit your style.

Why Repurpose Wood or Leftover Wood?

Using repurposed wood for your headboard is a great way to reduce waste and add character to your room. Each piece of reclaimed wood tells a story, with its unique grains, knots, and imperfections. Whether you source wood from an old barn, pallets, or even your own backyard, this project is a chance to give new life to materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

All these pieces made up both our DIY headboard and floating nightstands (even had some left after those to make a massive cutting board!)

We personally used leftover wood from our DIY bed frame with only the addition of a plywood board as the backer. The lumber we had purchased only came in 15’ lengths, so we knew ahead of time we would have leftover wood and planned to make a headboard with those extra pieces. Finally a use for “scrap wood” that doesn’t just sit on a shelf and collect dust!

Design Ideas

There are countless ways to design a wooden headboard, from minimalist to intricate. A simple panel headboard is perfect for a modern look, while a slatted design adds a touch of rustic charm. For an even more unique look, you could mix different types of wood or create a chevron pattern. Pinterest is a great place to find inspirational photos!

We went for an organic shape to create a subtle tree branch design with the pieces going in a diagonal direction. It was a lot of work, but worth it for this unique headboard made from leftover wood!

General Step-by-Step How To

  1. Choose Your Wood: Select wood planks that are wide enough or can be joined together to create the size headboard you need. You can cut the wood to your desired length or leave it as is for a more organic feel.
  2. Prepare the Wood: Sand the wood to remove any splinters or rough edges. If the wood is particularly old, you may also want to clean it with a mild soap and water solution.
  3. Assemble the Headboard: Lay the wood pieces side by side and attach them together using a joinery technique, a backer to glue to or even horizontal support beams on the back of the planks. You can use screws or wood glue to secure the pieces.
  4. Mount the Headboard: Depending on the height you want, you can either attach the headboard directly to the wall or to the bed frame using brackets or a french cleat system.
  5. Finishing Touches: Apply a eco-friendly wood finish like Oil Plus 2C to enhance the wood’s natural beauty.

There were a few extra steps for our complex headboard design, but that gives you a general idea of the process!

Related –  The Ultimate Wood Finish – Rubio Monocoat Review & Color Test

DIY Floating Nightstands – Maximize Space, Minimize Waste

Next up on our sustainable bedroom journey: floating nightstands. These sleek, space-saving pieces are both functional and stylish, making them the perfect addition to a minimalist, eco-friendly bedroom.

The Perks of Floating Nightstands

Floating nightstands have a modern, minimalist aesthetic, but they’re also incredibly practical. By mounting your nightstands to the wall, you free up floor space, making the room feel more open and airy. Plus, since they don’t have legs, they’re easier to clean around, reducing the buildup of dust and allergens, another win for a healthy bedroom environment.

Choosing Sustainable Materials

For this project, opt for sustainable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, or even plywood alternatives made from fast-growing, renewable resources. These materials are durable, lightweight, and readily available, making them perfect for a DIY nightstand.

Floating Shelf, Hidden Drawer

We designed a very minimal-looking nightstand that most would likely just call a floating shelf. But the catch is it opens up to have a hidden drawer to store some items in. It even has power built-in so that we can utilize a wireless phone charger through the shelf. 

Check out our full How-To post to build one yourself and grab a set of our DIY plans!

Green Wall with Sustainable Wall Planters – Bring Nature Indoors

Now that we’ve covered the furniture, it’s time to add a touch of greenery to your sustainable bedroom. A green wall is not only beautiful but also functional, helping to purify the air and create a calming, natural atmosphere.

The Magic of Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening is a great way to bring nature indoors, especially if you’re working with limited space. By installing a green wall in your bedroom, you can enjoy the benefits of houseplants without taking up valuable floor space. Plants can help improve air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, creating a healthier indoor environment.

Sustainable Planter Options

When choosing planters for your green wall, opt for eco-friendly options made from recycled or renewable materials. Many companies now offer sustainable planters made from recycled plastic, coconut fiber, or even bamboo. You can also DIY your planters using repurposed containers like mason jars, tin cans, or pots.

We opted to use Wallygrow’s Eco Wall Planters. They are made from 100% recycled plastic (they’ve diverted over 10+ million plastic bottles from the landfill!). Their packaging is extremely eco-friendly with no plastic bags or styrofoam. You just get the planters with the hardware smartly stored under the wall mount. The Eco Wall Planter also comes with a water reservoir, so it slowly waters the soil and your plants as needed!

We decided to overlay these planters on our green accent corner to really create some texture and depth to the space.

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Choose Your Wall: Select a wall in your bedroom that gets enough natural light for the plants you plan to grow. If your room is lacking in natural light, consider plants like snake plants or pothos that can thrive in low-light conditions. Or install a set of automated lights to provide light!
  2. Install Planter Holders: You can buy pre-made wall planter kits or create your own by attaching hooks or shelves to the wall. Make sure they are securely mounted and can support the weight of the plants.
  3. Select Your Plants: Choose plants that are suited to the light conditions in your bedroom. For a calming effect, consider adding plants like lavender, jasmine, or aloe vera, which have natural air-purifying qualities.
  4. Arrange Your Planters: Place your plants in the wall planters, arranging them in a way that creates a visually pleasing display. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different sizes and types of plants for added texture and variety.
  5. Maintenance Tips: Make sure to water your plants regularly and monitor their light exposure. You may also want to mist them occasionally to keep the leaves healthy and free from dust.

Your DIY Sustainable Bedroom is Complete!

By now, your sustainable master bedroom is starting to take shape. You’ve painted the walls with eco-friendly paint, built your own wooden bed frame and headboard, added stylish floating nightstands, and brought nature indoors with a beautiful green wall. Every piece in your room has been chosen or crafted with sustainability in mind, and you’ve created a space that is not only eco-friendly but also cozy and inviting.

More DIY Projects & Home Improvements

Remember, creating a sustainable home is about making small, thoughtful choices that add up to a big impact. Whether you’re building your own furniture, repurposing materials, or choosing eco-friendly products, every decision you make helps to reduce your environmental footprint. So go ahead, take pride in your new bedroom, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve created a space that’s as good for the planet as it is for you.

Check out more of our DIY project articles for inspiration!


Hope this post on ways to transform your bedroom in a sustainable way helps you create one, too! Let us know how you’re going to transform yours in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.

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