WHAT ARE THE BASIC ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CREATING A SLOW HOME?
"Intimate spaces generate comfort and wellbeing”
The bedroom
WHAT SHOULD WE CONSIDER IN BEDROOMS TO SLEEP WELL?
Deep rest is essential to ensure restorative sleep that helps improve our quality of life, which is why it is essential for the bedroom to have a healthy design. It is necessary to create a healthy indoor environment, with a fresh temperature of around 18 ºC and 50% relative humidity, free from noise, with the possibility of light control, the presence of greenery and free from toxins or allergens, as well as electromagnetic fields that may disturb our body. The base structure of the bed and the mattress should have an ergonomic design that does not interfere with the natural physiology of our body and should be made with natural materials.
Because it is in direct contact with the skin, it is essential for bed linen to be made from natural and breathable materials, free from toxins and odours, such as organic cotton or linen.
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With linen sheets, we create a slower bedroom, as the fabric thermoregulates body temperature while we sleep. It is also a natural and more sustainable material because it does not need to be watered, since rainwater is enough for it to grow. Although they look elegant when ironed, we also like using them unironed to achieve a very natural and pleasant look. On the bedside table, we should always keep a bottle of water, essential for proper hydration.
The bathroom
HOW DOES BATHROOM ARCHITECTURE INFLUENCE HEALTH AND WELLBEING?
Because it is a wet room, the aesthetic of bathrooms is usually different from the rest of the home, as water-repellent finishing materials should be chosen. These are environments where it is essential to control excess humidity to prevent condensation and the proliferation of mould. Having a window that can provide effective ventilation can be useful to complement the already mandatory mechanical air extraction system.
In terms of energy, the bathroom is one of the rooms with the highest energy demand, as we need to generate large quantities of hot water. If we want to guarantee zero consumption, the best strategy is to use a water storage tank. The water can be heated through aerothermal energy, which is powered by solar energy, and then stored in a tank.
If we want to be self-sufficient, we can either optimise water use and use it only during daylight hours, when solar energy is available, or use an energy system generated by a fuel such as biomass.
In addition, in terms of water resource management, there is the possibility of reusing water from the shower and washbasin in toilets after prior filtering, or using it later for irrigation or outdoor cleaning.
Finally, we always have the option of choosing a dry toilet, that is, a toilet that, instead of using water, uses organic composting of waste to generate fertile soil.
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Bamboo towels represent our most sustainable option because their growth rate is four times higher than that of other plants and they also regenerate naturally. Their fibres have antibacterial and anti-allergy properties and are highly absorbent. They dry best and are perfect for people with allergies. We weave them in many colours that can be combined with each other and they have an extra-soft feel. They should always be stored in a dry place where they cannot absorb moisture, so the bathroom is not the best place to store them.
What about children? “Growing up healthy in a natural environment”
WHAT HELPS CREATE THE BEST ROOM FOR CHILDREN?
Ensuring health in indoor environments is especially important when there are children in our home. Not only because they are constantly developing, but also because they are usually the ones who spend the most time at home.
In addition to considering the basic guidelines for achieving a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, prioritising natural heat gain and cross ventilation, in the case of children there are specific pieces of furniture and fabrics that adapt to their growth and are made with natural materials that do not include toxic components or treatments, such as natural wood protected only with a combination of oil and natural fabrics.
It is also important to choose natural finishes for the walls. Synthetic paints not only include toxins in their composition, but also waterproof the wall surface, prevent breathability and avoid humidity regulation through hygroscopy. It is better to choose natural materials, such as clay render.
Finally, we must take into account the design of the electrical installation so that it is free from fields that may disturb children’s rest. To do this, wiring should be prevented from passing through headboards or study areas where they spend long hours, or a bioswitch system should be installed to disconnect the current during the night, when there is no electrical demand, in order to guarantee rest.
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For our children, nothing is better than organic cotton free from pesticides and insecticides, grown using sustainable techniques that respect the environment and contribute to caring for ecosystems. In this way, we put our environmental and social responsibility into practice.
Its natural and lightweight fabric makes it softer for children, prevents allergies and allows their delicate skin to breathe better. Playing with combinations of pillow, fitted sheet and duvet cover colours stimulates and entertains little ones.
“Common spaces need good lighting and ventilation”
The living room
HOW CAN WE MAKE A LIVING ROOM COMFORTABLE?
The living area of a home should start from conditions that guarantee hygrothermal comfort through natural means, with openings that allow us to control direct sunlight throughout the year and ensure cross ventilation that provides comfort and natural air renewal in order to achieve a healthy indoor environment.
Furniture and fabrics play an essential role, as large pieces such as sofas and rugs are often used in these rooms. For this reason, it is important to choose natural and breathable materials free from toxins, such as natural plant-based fibres like cotton, linen or hemp, or animal-based fibres such as wool. In addition, living areas improve when we include plant elements both indoors and in the patios or terraces they overlook or access. Studies show that introducing plants or trees into our long-stay areas increases our sense of psychological and emotional wellbeing, which improves quality of life, interpersonal relationships and the sense of community. They also help clean the environment, generate oxygen and regulate humidity naturally.
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Our idea of a warm and pleasant living room always includes throws and cushions, essential elements for feeling comfortable. A living room without throws is not a living room, so it is a good idea to have a basket with different options so that every guest can take their own and feel at home. The only drawback is that they will never want to leave!
The kitchen
WHAT INTERVENTION CAN WE MAKE IN OUR KITCHEN TO MAKE IT MORE SUSTAINABLE?
A slow space is also one that achieves wellbeing through the creation of community and human interaction, which is why choosing open kitchens integrated into living areas promotes family relationships and the involvement of all family members in household tasks.
In terms of materials, in a kitchen we have multiple sustainable and natural options for storage furniture: we can design kitchen furniture with natural wood, adobe or ceramic pieces, or even traditional lime-based techniques.
For food preparation surfaces, we should select materials with harmless finishes that guarantee water resistance while also offering high resistance and complying with sustainability and circular economy standards.
A wooden board treated with a natural finish can be recovered at the end of its useful life or repaired after a simple stripping process. Another sustainable and low-impact option is stone produced from stone dust from quarry waste or from the recycling of old countertops.
In addition, if we want to move towards a zero-waste lifestyle, the kitchen is the room where we should begin changing our habits. For example, we can reduce the use of plastics from packaging by buying food in bulk and storing it in reusable containers. Another option is to use a running water filtration system by osmosis that removes contaminants and chemicals to avoid the need to buy bottled water.
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The storage jars we have at Textura invite you to buy in bulk to store ingredients, avoid generating unnecessary waste and, in addition, always keep the kitchen tidy and beautiful.
Napkins should always be made of fabric, and the best thing is that we can embroider them with your initials, your name or whatever you like most so that each family member has their own and can reuse it before putting it in the wash. On the other hand, stain-resistant tablecloths, besides being super warm, can be cleaned with a cloth so they last through many meals before going into the washing machine, and on top of that they do not need ironing!