When it comes to getting sleep, your bedroom decor can help or hinder the process. Everyone wants a beautiful room that fits their personal style, but the quality of your sleep is just as important.
If you’re designing (or redesigning) a bedroom and better sleep is a top priority, use these tips to create an environment that will help improve the quality of your nightly slumber without sacrificing style.
via Traditional Home
What to Include in the Bedroom for Better Sleep
Supportive Mattress
The number one most important factor for sleep is your mattress. It needs to provide adequate support while also being comfortable. However, support and comfort vary from one person to the next.
This is one purchase you don’t want to leave to chance no matter how good the reviews are for a mattress. To ensure you get the best night’s sleep visit a mattress store and actually lie down on the mattresses. Give yourself at least five minutes and lie in the position you usually sleep to get a feel for the mattress and how well it supports your body.
via beckiowens.com
A Few Plants
Plants are a beautiful addition to any room’s decor, but they serve a greater purpose in terms of getting better sleep. For starters, plants create a relaxing environment. Indoor greenery helps people feel calm and more relaxed. It’s the perfect mental state for sound sleep.
There are also plants that do a good job of purifying the air, which is important for sound sleep. NASA research and other studies have found orchids, snake plants and succulents are some of the best plants for the bedroom because they reduce toxins in the air while emitting oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide at night. Add a few plants to the nightstand to breathe a little easier in bed.
There’s one more residual benefit. Plants are an inexpensive way to add visual interest to your bedroom decor.
via Traditional Home
Noise Machine
Noises can either ease you to sleep or keep you awake at night. Abrupt noises are what you want to avoid because they jar you out of slumber. You might not even realize it’s happening, but the next morning you won’t feel as rested.
Constant white noise, on the other hand, helps to drown out random noises that disturb sleep. If you can hear sounds coming from inside or outside your house, a fan, a quiet air purifier or sound machine can all provide a soothing background noise that promotes sleep.
What to Keep Out of the Bedroom for Better Sleep
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A Television
It’s nice to cozy up under the covers and watch a movie or late-night talk show, but doing so will keep you up at night. Both the images on the screen and the sounds coming from the speaker can keep your brain more alert. Sleep experts suggest that you turn off all screens before you start your bedroom routine, ideally at least a half hour before bedtime.
via Luxe
Light
Light is a natural detractor of sleep. Our circadian rhythm is like an internal clock that influences sleep and wake. It’s largely influenced by exposure to light, which sends signals to the brain. That’s why you may wake up before your alarm goes off if sunlight pours into the bedroom. The opposite is also true. At night, after the light fades away, melatonin production ramps up readying us for sleep.
Artificial light from both bulbs and screens can also have an impact and keep you awake. Dimming the lights and putting the screens away when you’re winding down for the night will help.
via Elle Decor
When you’re choosing window treatments for your bedroom think about how sunlight enters the room and which options will block out the light best. Wood blinds are effective and allow for a lot of light control, but blackout curtains really keep the light out.
While you’re designing your bedroom think of it as a sanctuary. It should be a peaceful environment where sleep is the primary activity, not work and other distractions. Even the colors should be calming and soothing. Think creams, blues and subtle hues that are less vibrant.
Before you know it you’ll be sleeping better than you ever thought possible.
Thanks to Bedding Mart for consulting with us on this post!
