Eco friendly bathrooms are a current design trend, which is fantastic from the point of view of sustainability – as well as design!
These days, a modern eco friendly bathroom is about so much more than just the tiles and fixtures you choose.
It’s about going beyond the materials and bringing a mindset of sustainability into every aspect of the space. From the products you use to wash and brush, to the towel you dry off with, an eco bathroom is about making conscious choices at every step.
Quite often when you come across a blog post or article about eco friendly bathrooms they’re either from the design standpoint or from the products and lifestyle side of things.
But this post contains eco friendly bathroom ideas from the moment you start to build or renovate, how to decorate sustainably, and includes all things you can do daily to make your bathroom time a whole lot greener.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!
Create an Eco Friendly Bathroom Design
Whether building a new home, or just upgrading your existing one, an eco bathroom starts with its bones. Meaning its flooring, paint, fixtures and more. Start at the beginning and work your way through the design process making conscious choices at every stage. Like recycled tile, no-VOC paint and – my favourite – reclaimed materials.
Use recycled tiles on your walls and floors
Nowadays, it’s not too difficult to find tiles for your bathroom that are made out of recycled content. The materials used to make tile such as glass and porcelain are easy to recycle and reuse, meaning you can purchase new tiles made from partially recycled – up to 100% recycled – materials.
Say no to paint containing VOCs
VOCs are gases that are emitted from certain solids and liquids, with interior paint being just one of many. The VOCs emitted from paint have been shown to have negative side effects, ranging from headaches to an increased risk of cancer, and also are linked to greenhouses gases and to climate change. Thankfully, no-VOC paints are readily available at most home improvement stores.
Incorporate reclaimed materials
From installing an antique clawfoot tub, to creating a reclaimed wood feature wall, to incorporating vintage lighting, there are so many ways to give your bathroom both character and a reduced footprint. Even if you don’t want to go the whole rustic vibe, you can refinish and paint most reclaimed items so they look like new. And only you would know they’re not!
More green bathroom remodel ideas
The above ideas are just a starting point for your sustainable bathroom design. Here are six more!
- Consider adding a bathroom skylight, which will allow the sun to provide natural light during the day and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
- Speaking of lighting, make sure to install energy-efficient lighting and use LED lightbulbs whenever you can.
- For water conservation, a low-flow showerhead and water-saving faucet are a must. If you have older fixtures, you can install aerators, which will control the amount you use.
- Go a step further and put in a motion-sensing faucet, meaning you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to turn off the tap again.
- Don’t let mold ruin the excellent air quality you’ve achieved by using non-toxic, eco friendly materials and finishes. Make sure to install a high-quality ventilation fan.
- Last up, an Energy Star water heater will help to reduce your energy use, especially if you pair it with underfloor heating that’s powered by an alternative source like solar. (We have solar-powered in-floor heating in our basement bathroom and we love it!)
Need help choosing eco-conscious furniture and decor for your home? That’s what I’m here for!
Shop for Sustainable Bathroom Decor
There’s no point in carefully designing a green bathroom remodel and then filling it with unsustainable decor items. From plants, to thrifted finds, to beautiful touches like eco-friendly wallpaper, the green oasis you’ve been dreaming of is definitely in reach.
Bring in plants and other items from nature
Decorating with nature is about as sustainable as design gets. Bring plants into you bathroom. Place some twigs in an old glass jar. Collect rocks from the river. Buy handmade art featuring things like leaves and trees.
Incorporate thrifted and vintage items
I know I just said bringing things in from nature is the most sustainable way to decorate your bathroom, but there’s also decorating with thrifted and vintage pieces. (Don’t make me choose which is my favourite!) Before buying anything new, head to your local secondhand shop and see what you can find. Keep an open mind and consider using older items in interesting ways.
Add a little something extra with eco-friendly wallpaper
I love wallpaper and have been planning on adding it to my bathroom since day one. (Day one was years ago and I still haven’t put wallpaper up, but that’s how it works when you practice slow design.) Eco-conscious doesn’t have to mean bare, blank walls. It just has to mean that the things you choose were made as sustainably as possible, so choose toxic-free wallpaper made of recycled or natural materials.
More decorating ideas for sustainable bathrooms
You might think environmentally friendly bathroom decor just means the little added extras like artwork and knick knacks. Yet, functional items like towels and shower curtains also double as decor. Here’s how to do them – and other related items – sustainably.
- Buy a shower curtain made from linen, which doesn’t need a plastic liner because it is resistant to mold.
- There are plenty of brands that sell eco friendly bath towels, just make sure you check that they backup their green claims with certifications and transparency about their contributions to environmental organizations.
- As above, an eco friendly bath mat should be made of natural materials that are resistant to mold an made by a company that takes sustainability seriously. But remember, you don’t have to necessarily use a bath mat, you can also use a plain old rug or even the good ol’ towel on the floor trick.
Look for Eco Friendly Bathroom Products
It’s not enough to have an eco friendly bathroom vanity or recycled tile shower, the products you use when you’re in your bathroom have an environmental impact and should also be chosen carefully. My advice? Search for brands that have the same values as you do.
Buy your personal care items from sustainable brands
Finding companies that truly care about their environmental impact used to be quite the task. But not anymore! There are now hundreds of companies just in the beauty and personal care world that use sustainable ingredients and eco-conscious manufacturing and shipping.
One of my current favourites is Canadian skincare brand BareLuxe because they donate a significant portion of their revenue to environmental causes. They’re also very honest and transparent about their ingredients and about current – and future – sustainability goals. (Plus, they’re Canadian like me!)
Reduce plastic waste whenever you can
Why does everything need to come wrapped in plastic when in so many cases paper will do? Reduce your plastic waste by switching over to things like environmentally friendly toilet paper packaged in paper. Also look for zero waste bathroom supplies like handmade soap and shampoo bars and zero waste razors.
Switch to eco friendly bathroom cleaning supplies
Guess what I use to clean my own two eco friendly bathrooms? Vinegar, baking soda and tea tree oil. That’s it. If you prefer your cleaning supplies to be a little less DIY, there are so many sustainable cleaning products out there. Including ones that come as tablets you then mix with water and go. Fun!
More eco bathroom product ideas
If you can think of a bathroom product, you can bet there’s a sustainable swap for it. Here are just a few more green bathroom ideas.
- Switch to biodegradable hygiene products like pads and tampons that contain no plastic and are made from non-toxic materials. Or better yet, make your period zero waste with washable fabric pads and a menstrual cup.
- Skip the chemical-filled aerosol sprays and eliminate bathroom odors with your own homemade spritz containing water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil.
- A lot of people already compost in the kitchen, but what about in the bathroom? Place a mini compost bin in your bathroom for things like toenail clippings, stray hairs and cotton swabs.
There you go! Hopefully my tips on designing, decorating and choosing bathroom products sustainably were helpful. If you’d like to learn more about making sustainable and zero waste swaps, read my post about reducing your waste at home.
And don’t forget to check out BareLuxe for your sustainable skin care needs!
What are your thoughts on these eco bathroom trends? Any of them catch your eye? Let me know in the comments!
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Posted on August 22, 2022
Need help choosing eco-conscious furniture and decor for your home? That’s what I’m here for!
Former architectural technologist. Current treehugger.
I’m here to help you green your home – and your life.
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