Eco-Friendly Wall Decorations for Baby's Nursery
I want to decorate the walls of my baby’s nursery, but only want to go with “green” choices. Any suggestions?
Good choice. Wall treatments such as paint and wallpaper are a generally toxic milkshake of ingredients that give off gas chemicals called VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), which we then breathe in. VOC’s are one of the largest contributors to poor indoor air quality, which in many homes is worse than outdoors, and a significant contributor to the increased incidence of asthma, allergies, and even some cancers.
If you’re starting from scratch, plasters such as American Clay Earth Plaster or St. Astier’s Natural Lime Plaster offer a healthy and rich finish reminiscent of Mediterranean and European homes so you can introduce baby to a sense of global style early on.
When choosing wall color, opt for low- or no-VOC brands such as one of the following:
- Green Planet Paints - I love these clay-based, zero-VOC paints for the way they smell when you’re putting them on and how they feel once they dry.
- AFM Safecoat - Paints, primers, stains, sealers, penetrating oils, waxes, diluents, and caulking.
- Old Fashioned Milk Paints – Classic, easy to use, popular, and proven for over 30 years.
- Yolo Colorhouse – Natural color palette collection.
- Serena and Lily – Beautiful colors with zero-VOC’s and low odor.
Other ideas to cozy up your nursery... Instead of wallpaper trim that uses toxic glue for adhesive, use one of the above-mentioned paints and stencil in cute little patterns around your nursery. Or ask dear Aunt Rose to do a mural on your wall. (So you haven’t talked to her in a while? I bet she’ll still be honored to help decorate baby’s nursery!) Valerie Skonie’s “A Child’s Prayer for the Earth” poster makes a lovely wall piece, as do family photos hung in recycled frames and strung with unique (and reusable) ribbon. If you’re feeling really creative, make a mobile out of driftwood. Have fun and don’t let yourself be confined by what you think a nursery should look like – this is your baby’s room, it is in your home, and as long as it is filled with love, your nursery will be warm and cozy.
See also: Eco-Friendly Wall Decorations
About The AuthorKimberly Danek Pinkson is the founder of the EcoMom Alliance and a popular media guest and keynote speaker on issues of green living and sustainability. A longtime social entrepreneur and freelance writer, she is a frequent contributor for parenting magazines and websites such as BabyCenter and iVillage. Kimberly works with her team of EcoMom Leaders to bring forth the organization's positive and proactive messaging, including teaching Sustain Your Self workshops nationwide. She is the proud mommy to son Corbin, a doting auntie to two nephews, and very happy to be a part of The Cradle. To learn more about Kimberly and join the EcoMom Alliance, please visit ecomomalliance.org.
