Pamper your guests with an eco-friendly bedroom – great for their health and the planet’s
Getting a good night’s sleep is such an important factor when travelling. If your guests complain about an uncomfortable mattress or bedlinen, this could severely affect the score they give in their review. By creating an eco-friendly bedroom, you will be doing the right thing for the planet, but you will also improve guest comfort.
Let us show you how …..
1. Give your guests the best night’s sleep
The feel and smell of bedlinen can really create a feeling of relaxation and peace as the perfect ambience for deep sleep. As so many people suffer from allergies these days, it is always worth investing in the healthiest fabrics for your bedlinen. Sheets and duvet covers made from sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo and linen feel luxurious and soft on the skin. If you choose a laundry detergent which is free of synthetic fragrance, you will also avoid comments about overly strong perfume, which can be a respiratory and skin irritant.
DID YOU KNOW? – Offering eco-friendly bedlinen and towels can get you up to 3.50% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? The bedding and towel industry is heavily reliant on cotton as part of its materials. Cotton is one of the crops most sprayed with pesticides and when it isn’t sourced sustainably it can wreak havoc on the environment & local communities.
Another factor to consider is the bed itself, along with the pillows and duvets. Look for bed frames made from eco-friendly materials like sustainable wood. When it comes to the mattress, wool is a sustainable choice, and it helps to regulate body temperature for a comfortable sleep. One of the latest innovations in beds are those which are modular and mattress-free. This means the modules can be washed repeatedly and replaced, rather than needing to replace a complete mattress.
Also remember duvets, mattress toppers and pillows, which all help to create that comfy feeling for your guests. There are plenty of options for creating an eco-friendly bedroom with fabrics such as wool and bamboo instead of duck feathers, which are often sourced in a way which is cruel to the bird.
2. An eco-friendly bedroom is naturally cool
The bedroom is the one room which should be kept as cool as possible in order to create a temperature which is conducive to sleep. This does not have to be achieved only with air conditioning, which can be noisy and even become too cold. Not to mention the fact that it is highly energy intensive and thus creates unnecessary carbon emissions.
Reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint by using the following methods.
A) Installation of high-performance windows
High performance windows such as double glazing reduce heat gain and loss, thereby helping to minimise the use of artificial heating and cooling in a building.
DID YOU KNOW? – Having high-performance windows can get you up to 0.91% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Up to 40% of a home’s heating energy can be lost, and up to 87% of its heat gained through windows.
B) Set up sun screening
Another way to keep an eco-friendly bedroom cool is to create shading to prevent sunlight heating up the room. This can be done in a number of different ways:
- Window Films
- Window Shades
- Awnings
- Solar Screens
- Exterior Shutters
- Trees and Plants
DID YOU KNOW? – Offering sun screening can get you up to 0.64% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Window screening can help to reduce the amount of heat that enters a home, which can reduce the need for air conditioning and lower energy consumption. Window screening can also help to maintain a more consistent indoor temperature, which can reduce the need for heating in the winter.
C) Offer freestanding or ceiling fans
One of your highest costs and highest generator of carbon emissions is likely to be air conditioning in the summer months. If you can keep the bedrooms in your vacation rental cool using the methods in A and B, you could consider trying fans instead of air conditioning.
DID YOU KNOW? – Offering fans or no air conditioning can get you up to 0.55% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Central Air Conditioning (AC) uses around 3500 watts of electricity per day, an AC window unit uses between 600 and 1500 watts and a ceiling fan uses between 30 and 50 watts.
D) Install smart indoor thermostats
If you are in a destination where it is impossible to provide a comfortable indoor temperature in summer, then you can still create an eco-friendly bedroom. You can do this by installing smart indoor thermostats which lock maximum and minimum temperatures. In this way, guests are unable to set heating or cooling which is extreme. These can also be operated remotely when the property is empty.
DID YOU KNOW? – Having a smart indoor thermostat can get you up to 2.73% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Air conditioning is highly energy intensive, costly to run and a significant contributor to carbon emissions.
3. Convey a unique style with local artwork
Using individual, carefully chosen pieces of artwork is the ideal way to create a unique atmosphere in your eco-friendly bedroom. This approach will make the bedroom in your vacation rental memorable and, importantly, give you the opportunity to support local artists.
In addition, you can choose other artworks such as sculptures, locally made cushions and throws to bring an evocative feel of your destination into your rental. These thoughtful touches will add to the comfort and satisfaction of your guests.
DID YOU KNOW? – Showcasing local artists can get you up to 3.13% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Supporting the local economy in your hosting destination will increase their support of your vacation rental and create a more immersive guest experience.
Interestingly, there is another way to enhance the bespoke style of your eco-friendly bedroom and be super sustainable. Why not take advantage of the trend for vintage and upcycled furniture? Doing this will create a totally one-off design style in your vacation rental whilst saving you money and demonstrating sustainable procurement.
4. Install energy-efficient lighting
Lighting in a bedroom is an important way of creating the right peaceful atmosphere. You can achieve this and reduce your energy consumption (as well as your carbon footprint) by installing LED lightbulbs. These work particularly well in bedside lamps and soft overhead lighting. This is one of the easiest ways you can reduce your energy consumption.
Another less obvious reason why this is important for an eco-friendly bedroom is that LED bulbs do not get hot like old-style ones. This means they will help to keep the bedrooms in your vacation rental cool when combined with some of the practices already mentioned.
DID YOU KNOW? Having 80% LED bulbs can get you up to 0.36% on the Sustonica criteria! Check out our standard.
Why is it part of the criteria? Replacing energy-saving light bulbs with LED light bulbs can offer savings of up to 50% in consumption on lighting.
An eco-friendly bedroom naturally creates a relaxing and healthy environment for your guests. Showing them that you care about their comfort, but not at the expense of the planet.
