The importance of sleep has become much more well documented in the past few years.
A regular bedtime routine and avoiding smartphone screens close to the time you sleep are key components, but another is creating a calm, inviting environment. If you feel your bedroom is lacking in that regard, read on to find out how you can create a more relaxing bedroom and sleeping space.
Wooden Flooring
Wooden flooring provides warmth underfoot in a way that is more suitable for bedrooms than cold tiles or concrete.
It also has a rustic and timeless appeal that very few other flooring materials can replicate in quite the same way.
Regardless of whether you want a light looking or dark wood flooring, use premium timber that will retain its appearance, withstand foot traffic, and provide you nice looking bedroom flooring for years to come.
You can also add rugs to add more softness in areas of your choosing.
If you’re installing the timber flooring yourself, ensure you:
- Make sure the subfloor is clean and completely level to avoid uneven flooring.
- Let the timber planks sit in the room for 2 to 3 days to let them adjust to the humidity and temperature of the room. This will help prevent warping occurring.
- Keep a gap of 10mm to 15mm around the walls and fixed objects as wood expands and contracts with moisture changes.
Soft Bedding
If you’re wondering why you don’t feel as comfortable as you could in bed, it could be down to the bedding you use.
Ensure you’re using soft bedding to really help you switch off, relax, and enjoy a proper night’s sleep.
With your sheets, go for natural fibers like cotton, linen, or bamboo for breathability. Find a thread count of between 200 and 400 for smoothness, without compromising on airflow.
Find a duvet that has natural filling like down or wool to provide a combination of warmth and breathability. If you want a synthetic duvet, find a quality option that imitates natural loft and softness.
To add the finishing touches, put a plush throw blanket at the foot of your bed to provide layering, warmth and texture. Chunky knitted wool is a strong choice here.
Warm Lighting
Installing warm lighting is another effective way of making your bedroom more relaxing and calm.
In comparison to brighter, harsher lighting alternatives, warm lighting is more gentle on the eyes, which is key for a good nighttime routine, signalling to your body that it is time to go to sleep.
Useful warm lighting options:
Table and Floor Lamps: Can provide soft lighting, perfect for reading or winding down before going to sleep.
Fairy Lights: Offer a nice aesthetic and calming glow to bedrooms.
Salt Lamps: Able to emit a gentle, soft, and warm glow to highlight textures and reduce eye strain.
Lavender
Not only does lavender smell pleasant, but it also possesses properties that can help facilitate better sleep. From reducing anxiety to lowering your heart rate, this natural remedy is definitely worth incorporating into your nightly routine if you’re someone who takes a while to nod off.
It can be utilised in an array of ways:
Essential Oil Diffuser: This involves adding drops of lavender oil to a diffuser between half an hour to an hour before going to sleep.
Pillow Spray: A simple method that just requires a light mist of sheets and pillows.
Sachets: Put small dried lavender sachets into drawers or under pillows.
Candles: Light before you go to sleep to create a relaxing atmosphere, but remember to blow it out.
Bed Drawers
Adding underbed drawers to your existing bed, or buying a new one with drawers already built in is a brilliant idea if you’re looking to create a minimalist look, by letting you store the bulk of your clothing out of sight.
If you’re thinking of completing this task yourself, here are some things you need to know:
- Precisely measure the space under the bed to make sure that drawers will fit well and slide smoothly.
- Use reliable slides, rollers, or casters that are durable enough to handle the weight and facilitate smooth movement.
- Make sure the drawers are designed with accessibility in mind, to make it easier to reach stored items. Allow a small amount of airflow to prevent moisture buildup.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to create a pleasant bedroom atmosphere, not just for aesthetic appeal, but also to help you wind down and get the right amount of sleep so you can function throughout the day.
We recommend implementing at least one or two of our suggestions to give yourself a calmer, more relaxing bedroom environment.
Images supplied courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
