Set Your Bedroom Up for a Better Night's Sleep
Create a dream space that works hard to recharge your batteries each and every night
For all of its benefits 21st-century life comes with its own stresses, challenges and energy drains, so it’s more important than ever for busy individuals to create a comfortable sleeping environment that’s a peaceful retreat from the world.
It need not cost a fortune, either. Here are some achievable and affordable (many free!) strategies to turn a ho-hum bedroom into one that is welcoming at the end of a long, tiring day.
It need not cost a fortune, either. Here are some achievable and affordable (many free!) strategies to turn a ho-hum bedroom into one that is welcoming at the end of a long, tiring day.
2. Keep your feet happy
If you don’t have carpet in the room, place a rug under or by the bed to give your tootsies something soft and soothing to rest on as you get in and out of bed. This is essential for comfort in winter. If you have carpet, try placing a rug on it anyway, purely for visual effect and to boost cosiness.
If you don’t have carpet in the room, place a rug under or by the bed to give your tootsies something soft and soothing to rest on as you get in and out of bed. This is essential for comfort in winter. If you have carpet, try placing a rug on it anyway, purely for visual effect and to boost cosiness.
3. Purify your air
Not only will an indoor plant bring a lovely touch of nature to your room, it will help to keep the air a little fresher by soaking up carbon dioxide and other environmental toxins.
Not only will an indoor plant bring a lovely touch of nature to your room, it will help to keep the air a little fresher by soaking up carbon dioxide and other environmental toxins.
4. Avoid bringing work home
Double-duty spaces may be necessary if you’re living in a tiny home, but it’s difficult from a psychological perspective to break away from work and drift off to sleep if you’re staring at your desk, computer and paperwork.
Move the home office to another room or, if you have no other option than keeping it in your bedroom, invest in a privacy screen or work from a secretary like this handsome one. For a DIY option, convert a freestanding wardrobe into an office.
Double-duty spaces may be necessary if you’re living in a tiny home, but it’s difficult from a psychological perspective to break away from work and drift off to sleep if you’re staring at your desk, computer and paperwork.
Move the home office to another room or, if you have no other option than keeping it in your bedroom, invest in a privacy screen or work from a secretary like this handsome one. For a DIY option, convert a freestanding wardrobe into an office.
5. Stick to neutrals
A neutral colour palette will soothe a tired, frazzled soul by creating a welcoming sense of calm. There’s no need for it to be boring, though. Try subtle shades of grey, soft off-whites and earthy browns accented by complementary textures of timber panelling and striking driftwood.
A neutral colour palette will soothe a tired, frazzled soul by creating a welcoming sense of calm. There’s no need for it to be boring, though. Try subtle shades of grey, soft off-whites and earthy browns accented by complementary textures of timber panelling and striking driftwood.
6. Keep clutter to a minimum
Invest in matching bedside tables with shelving and/or doors to hide books and magazines. Keep the tops clear except for essentials, such as a lamp – or perhaps just something beautiful and meaningful such as a vase of flowers from the garden or a framed family portrait, so that you aren’t bombarded with visual clutter. Low-voltage lighting in lamps or pendants will create a soft, relaxing atmosphere.
Invest in matching bedside tables with shelving and/or doors to hide books and magazines. Keep the tops clear except for essentials, such as a lamp – or perhaps just something beautiful and meaningful such as a vase of flowers from the garden or a framed family portrait, so that you aren’t bombarded with visual clutter. Low-voltage lighting in lamps or pendants will create a soft, relaxing atmosphere.
7. Cocoon yourself
Block out light from streetlights outside with a set of blinds or heavy-backed curtains. It will keep the room nice and dark fostering a deeper rest.
Block out light from streetlights outside with a set of blinds or heavy-backed curtains. It will keep the room nice and dark fostering a deeper rest.
8. Banish technology
The light from MP3 players, computer screens and smart phones can push back your natural sleep time when viewed an hour or so before going to bed, so keep portable technology out of the bedroom by organising a charging and storage station in another room so your technology can ‘sleep’ for the night. Try this nifty idea of a designated kitchen drawer.
The light from MP3 players, computer screens and smart phones can push back your natural sleep time when viewed an hour or so before going to bed, so keep portable technology out of the bedroom by organising a charging and storage station in another room so your technology can ‘sleep’ for the night. Try this nifty idea of a designated kitchen drawer.
9. Train your spouse (and your kids)
Start new rules for the master bedroom: every morning the bed is made and no kids’ toys are to enter the room. Buy a toy chest for the children’s rooms and make cleaning up a part of their play time before bed. Next, place a laundry hamper at the foot of the bed or concealed in the wardrobe to prevent dirty clothes from taking over the room and creating chaos.
Start new rules for the master bedroom: every morning the bed is made and no kids’ toys are to enter the room. Buy a toy chest for the children’s rooms and make cleaning up a part of their play time before bed. Next, place a laundry hamper at the foot of the bed or concealed in the wardrobe to prevent dirty clothes from taking over the room and creating chaos.
10. Sip before sleep
A small cup of chamomile tea or milk before bed will do just the trick to relax you enough for a peaceful slumber, so why not invest in a stylish tray to avoid drips? However, try not to drink so much that your sleep is disturbed by a trip to the bathroom!
TELL US
Do you have any secrets to a great night’s sleep? Let us know in the comments section below.
A small cup of chamomile tea or milk before bed will do just the trick to relax you enough for a peaceful slumber, so why not invest in a stylish tray to avoid drips? However, try not to drink so much that your sleep is disturbed by a trip to the bathroom!
TELL US
Do you have any secrets to a great night’s sleep? Let us know in the comments section below.
There’s something visually pleasing about a symmetrical room layout that offers a sense of inner balance. His and hers ottomans placed at the foot of a bed can echo the thoughtful symmetrical placement of scatter cushions for a touch of formality with very little effort.