A CLEAN SLEEP Y

ou’ll likely spend around a third or more of your time in your bedroom, so of course you want it to be a beautiful space. However, dust mites, mould, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals found in many products can turn a dream bedroom into a nightmare for allergy sufferers. Here’s how to set up a room that can help to improve, not disrupt, your slumber.

Well grounded

Look for natural flooring products that are easy to keep clean, such as solid timber (from a certified sustainable source for true green credentials), polished concrete or stone tiles.

Engineered timber, laminate and vinyl won’t gather pet dander or dust mites – two of the worst culprits when it comes to allergens. However, the way these floors are made means they may contain other allergy triggers such as formaldehyde and other VOCs, so check their specifications before you buy. This goes for any sealants or finishes used on your floor, too.

For a softer feel underfoot, add a rug. As before, pick natural materials such as jute or wool (short pile rather than shag), and vacuum every day with a good-quality cleaner that has a HEPA filter. Consider a robotic vacuum cleaner – it can do its thing while you’re out of the room and not breathing in any dust it might kick up.

Furniture f inds

Your choice of bedding and mattress can directly affect your asthma and allergies. Adele Taylor from the National Asthma Council Australia Sensitive Choice Program says it’s important to understand what triggers your asthma and allergies. “This will help to determine the best products and materials to use,” she says.

To combat dust mites, minimise the amount of fabric in the room – consider a timber bed frame or headboard instead of an upholstered one. Rattan and bamboo tick the natural materials box, making them good for occasional furniture. Where possible, minimise clutter to make cleaning easier and give nasties fewer places to dwell.

Your choice of bed is important. “Consider if the bed has had an antimicrobial treatment, which will help reduce dust mites and mould build-up in your mattress, and also whether the mattress material has had this treatment,” explains Adele. “With all new products, especially beds and mattresses, we recommend you let them ‘off-gas’ (release VOCs) before putting them in your room, especially if your asthma or allergy triggers are chemicals and VOCs.”

The National Asthma Council’s Sensitive Choice program suggests people with asthma and allergies should avoid memory foam or latex, as these are known sensitisers.

The soft stuf f

For bed linen, opt for organic cotton, bamboo or Tencel, which although man-made, is a wood pulp derivative with strong eco credentials. “These natural products can be a better option for those with asthma and allergies,” says Adele. Tighter-weave fabrics, such as organic cotton, are generally better than loose weave, like linen, while luxurious silk can actually repel dust mites.

Add a mattress protector and pillow protectors to your shopping list. “You may even consider using a quilt protector as well,” says Adele. “These help stop dust mites and mould spores moving up from your pillow and mattress into your breathing environment while you are in bed.”

Make sure to change your sheets at least weekly and wash your bedding in water hotter than 55 degrees. Adele suggests putting dry quilts and pillows in the tumble dryer for 10 minutes (pending manufacturer instructions) to help kill dust mites.

When choosing window coverings, she recommends looking for blinds or curtains that have had antimicrobial and antistatic treatment, which can help stop dust and dust mites building up on them. Steer clear of heavy curtains, which are prone to gathering dust; if possible, try external shutters.

ABOVE Home Bazar ‘Bourdoir’ stool, $19, I/N: 0239928. Smart Home Products ‘Torquay’ 230cm x 160cm jute braided floor rug, $473.88, I/N: 0223433†. LEFT Peace lily plant in Lightly ‘Palm Springs’ 215mm x 150mm metal pot in River, $25.50, I/N: 0262353 (plant sold separately). FAR LEFT Ficus plant. Smart Home Products ‘St Ives Sherpa’ 270cm x 180cm braid wool floor rug in Light Grey, $518.48, I/N: 0223417†. Brilliant ‘Sable’ table lamp, $59, I/N: 0367805. Air humidifier, for similar try Milano Decor ‘Aroma’ ultrasonic humidifier purifier with 3 oils, $34.95*, I/N: 0282300. Giant bird of paradise plant. All other products, stylist’s own.

“They are a great way to control natural lighting into the bedroom,” says Adele. “They can be easily cleaned on the outside and may even remove the need for an indoor window treatment.”

A greener feel

Improving the air quality in the bedroom is an easy way to create a healthy space. It could be as simple as adding a few well-chosen plants, says Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katy Schreuder.

“Sansevieria, or snake plant, is an easy-care option that thrives with little water and low light,” says Katy. “Scindapsus, or devil’s ivy, is a beautiful trailing plant that copes well in most light conditions and with little watering. Place it on a high shelf and watch it develop long trails of lush foliage.” Avoid high-maintenance fast growers and flowering plants that could stoke any allergies like hayfever.

Pop your plants on a windowsill or shelf near a natural light source, not

1 EasyAS 1810mm x 1200mm adjustable plantation shutter in White, $890, I/N: 0022405†. 2 Home Bazar ‘Bahama’ 120cm x 120cm round jute rug in Natural, $35, I/N: 0240463. 3 Pentarch Forestry 186mm engineered flooring planks in Blackbutt, I/N: 0018383†. 4 Dulux ‘UltraAir’ interior low-sheen paint in Vivid White, $58.90/1L, I/N: 0283377. 5 Arlec ‘Grid Connect’ smart robotic vacuum, $257, I/N: 0351401.

6 Royal Comfort ‘100% Mulberry’ silk pillowcase in Soft Blue, $39.95/standard*, I/N: 0290305. 7 The Rug Republic ‘Gabion’ 230cm x 160cm wool rug in Ivory/Grey, $799, I/N: 0117876†. 8 Mitsubishi ‘Avanti’ 2.5kW reverse cycle split system airconditioner, $899, I/N: 4442099.

9 Ivory & Deene silky soft bamboo sheet set in Latte, $229.90*/king, I/N: 0386661. 10 Ardor 1000TC cotton rich sheet set in Charcoal, $77*/king, I/N: 0167126. 11 Pentarch Forestry 130mm x 19mm tongue and groove solid blackbutt flooring planks, $28.88/m, I/N: 0280209†.

12 Beurer ‘LR200’ HEPA 13 triple filter air purifier, $269, I/N: 0206710. 13 Porter’s Paints ‘Eggshell Finish’ broadwall washable paint in Old Stone Wall, $96.70/2L, I/N: 0163043. 14 B2C

Furniture ‘Rome’ queen bed frame in Natural Hardwood, $899*, I/N: 0259739. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, too close to the bed to avoid knocking them over. Check the label for care tips and to make sure the plant is safe around kids and pets, and keep an eye out for mould. “Generally, most plants prefer to dry out slightly between waterings and this will help to reduce the chance of mould forming,” explains Katy Schreuder. “Ensure you check your plants and pots regularly – if water is collecting in their container empty it out and reduce how much you water it.”

Take the temperature

The location of your home, such as near a main road, and certain events like bushfires can impact the air quality inside your house. Consider purchasing an air purifier

Some house plants are great natural air purifiers – the bigger, the better

Ditch The Electronics

We need a good night’s sleep to recharge, and it’s generally accepted among sleep researchers that using devices such as smartphones last thing at night can stimulate the brain into wake mode. Try to get into the habit of logging off early in the evening and being technology free (including the TV) for an hour or so before you’re ready to sleep. Avoid keeping or charging devices by your bed, so you’re not tempted to check them if you wake in the night. If you use your phone as an alarm, consider buying an old school mechanical one instead.

Time to decorate

Who doesn’t love paint as a fantastic, easily changed decorating resource? Plus, it creates a smooth surface that’s relatively simple to keep clean. However, virtually all paints contain VOCs and chemicals, which can affect the air quality in your room.

to filter the air and clean it of dust, gases and even airborne viruses. Pick one with a quiet mode if you plan to use it at night.

How you heat or cool your home can also affect the air quality inside it, so choose wisely when it comes to your bedroom. Ideally it shouldn’t be too humid, as dust mites and mould, in particular, love moist air. A reversecycle air conditioner, which can help reduce humidity, might be the best option. Look for a model that also scrubs the air for extra benefits.

A ceiling fan is an energy-efficient option for cooling, but wipe the blades regularly to keep it free from dust and avoid potential allergens being blown around the room.

For people facing allergy sensitivities or asthma, having good indoor air quality is important, explains Tayler Chalklen Zouch from Dulux. “When you’re thinking about things in the home that can impact air quality, paint can be a contributing factor,” she says. It makes sense to look for paints with very low chemical emissions, such as those in the water-based Dulux UltraAir range.

Melanie Stevenson of Porter’s Paints says their Eggshell Finish boasts low VOCs in its array of colour-rich hues. “It is perfect for bedrooms,” she says. “Our low odour, fast-drying formulation means you can finish the job in a day and move back in to sleep the very same night – there’s no having to sleep in the spare room or on the sofa while the paint smell wears off!” But do air the room thoroughly to help any emissions dissipate before you move back in.

The reusable spray bottles also make a style statement