Top 7 Sustainable Fabrics to Use in Your Bedroom Décor

Sustainable fabrics like jute and cotton come from replenishable resources like plants or animals in wool’s case – both options are eco-friendly and more easily recycled than synthetic materials like polyurethane.

Bedroom décor is ripe for heavy and lightweight sustainable fabrics like silk bedding, lace curtains, and woolly throws in place of plastics like polyester, with organic versions offering an even lower carbon footprint overall. 

Some of our favourites include:

1. Jute 

Jute is tough, durable, and grippy, making it the perfect sustainable material for bedroom rugs, dreamcatchers, and coasters. 

Raw and dyed jute is biodegradable and recyclable, and it is produced ethically in the Ganges Delta region in West Bengal state.

The chunky, woven texture of jute adds a cosy, natural vibe to your space, instantly making it feel more inviting and grounded.

2. Linen 

Natural softness and breathability are linen’s forte – perfect for bedsheets, duvet covers, and throws for the end of your bed. 

Another fantastic thing about linen is that the more you wash it, the softer and cosier it gets, unlike cotton, which can get scratchy. 

3. Wool

Wool isn’t a vegan-friendly material, but it is a natural by-product of shearing, a process essential to sheep’s health. 

Wool is a fantastic natural mattress filling because it’s breathable and repels dust mites with a loftiness similar to synthetic hollowfibre. 

You can also get washable wool pillows and duvets with cotton covers – a brilliant option for maximum warmth. 

 
Pictured: Sleepeezee Wool Supreme 2400 Divan Bed. Available from Bedstar.

4. Silk

Most people’s first experience of silk in the bedroom is a dressing gown or duvet set, and you’ll either love it or hate it. Lovers enjoy silk’s smooth feel, while haters dislike how it can cling to the skin.

We’re firmly on the loving side of silk because no other natural material is as smooth and lightweight. It’s unbeatable for summertime comfort and introduces an airiness to bedding that isn’t applicable with the lightest cotton. 

5. Cotton

Cotton is a natural fibre from the fluffy white bolls of the cotton plant – it’s breathable, absorbent, and oh-so-soft, making it a popular choice for clothing, bedding, and home décor.

Lightweight, airy cotton is perfect for summer bed sets, while thick, brushed cotton is ideal for winter bedding with a high-tog duvet. 

 
Pictured: Nordic Mill Shake Low Bed Frame. Priced £262 (Save £206 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.

Then we have cotton fleece – the perfect soft material for throw blankets, pillows, or even a cosy robe for ultimate snuggly comfort.

6. Bamboo

Bamboo is one the most sustainable timbers on the planet, and it makes a very versatile fabric for bedsheets, towels, and clothes with natural hydrophilic and deodorising qualities that are perfect for when the weather’s warm. 

Some mattresses like the Giltedge Beds Bamboo 1,500 contain bamboo in their covers to wick moisture and reduce heat – a more luxurious option is the Giltedge Beds Royal 7,000.

 
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Bamboo 1500 4FT 6 Double Mattress. Priced £547 (Save £51 on RRP) Available from Bedstar. 

7. Hemp fabric

Throws, curtains, and pyjamas made from hemp have a rougher texture than linen or cotton ones (slightly nubbly with a bohemian appearance). 

The fantastic thing about hemp is it’s compostable and biodegradable, so it will never plague landfills or impact the planet long after you’re gone. 

Soft furnishings like cushions and rugs are perfect for hemp, although it’s a more expensive material than cotton, linen, and some silks.

Summing up

Look for ways to replace synthetic materials like polyester and nylon with cotton and linen and rough décor with jute and bamboo products. 

Sustainable bedroom fabrics are better for the environment and don’t have excessive price tags over synthetic ones – although they can cost more in some cases – such as wool versus hollowfibre and silk versus polyester.

Shopping around can close the gap but remember that organic fabrics have an additional premium due to more expensive production methods.