Spring is coming, which means it’s time to think about fresh starts for your interior design. Over the winter, everyone turns into a bit of a hoarder as we nestle indoors, let those Christmas gift books pile up by the side of the bed, and bring all those creature comforts closer as we snuggle under the duvet and try to ignore everything that’s happening in the outside world. But now the days are getting longer, we are all trying to get a bit more active and spend less time in bed, and we’re trying to remember that the bedroom is for sleeping, not for binge-watching Netflix.
With that being said, good sleep is a hard thing to come by these days. We’re all struggling to get eight solid hours, and when we find resting a bit of a challenge, making those positive changes that are both pleasing to the eye and helpful to our bodies and mind can be a bit of uphill challenge. So, to help you sleep more peacefully and do so in style, here are a few things that you can do to revamp your bedroom and turn it into an oasis of calm and serenity.
Get Your Television Out Of Your Bedroom
When it’s cold and miserable we all want to look for ways to maximise our duvet time, but spending too long in bed watching TV can have a negative impact on your mental health and leave you feeling sluggish and lethargic. The NHS recommends that you have at least one screen-free hour before bed, so that means making sure that your phone is out of reach, your tablet is switched off, and no falling asleep in front of the television.
Moving the TV out of the room isn’t just about getting rid of the temptation to watch one more episode before you fall asleep. You will be removing a big focal point from the space, and this will allow for much more freedom of choice for how you use it. Think about bringing some soothing artwork into the room, or a landscape that sparks happy memories.
Find The Mattress That’s Right For You
It’s easy to approach the bed from a purely aesthetic standpoint, and in fairness, that is very important. The bedroom should be a space free from clashing contrasts, so making sure that everything from the frame to the colour of the bedsheets fits the mood is a very important part of creating a calming, nurturing sleep space. However, one cannot ignore practicality and function either, and a truly excellent mattress should always be at the top of your list of priorities.
There are several questions that you should ask before you buy a mattress, including whether it’s firm enough to offer support but flexible enough to allow movement, if it’s thick enough for your body type, and if there is a trial period to allow you to see if it’s the right fit for you. The Emma mattress review from The Mattress Guide describes it as an excellent versatile choice that suits couples with different sleeping styles, and it rates highly on aesthetics too. Plus, it comes with a massive 200-night trial to help you determine if this UK-made mattress is your dream bedding.
Think About Your Bedside Table And Lamp
We have already covered the fact that you should be doing your best to keep the glow of screens out of your bedroom, but if you want to create a truly relaxing atmosphere, having the right lighting in the room is just as important. Try to avoid bulbs with a harsh glare (dimmable LED bulbs are an excellent alternative), and experiment with colour settings to see if gradually cycling through mood settings helps to tell your busy brain that it’s time to drift off.
It’s also important to think about where you are placing your light sources. Reading before bed is a lovely way to relax, but try to make sure your bedside table is at the right height for you. If it’s too low or two high, straining to reach it is a good way to wake up parts of your body that should be winding down.
Don’t Be Afraid To Make Big Changes
Making your bedroom into a sleep-friendly zone can be a big project, and at times of intense stress, it sometimes feels like we should just stick to the familiar and make the best of it. However, it’s important to remind yourself that this is not a vanity project or unnecessary expense.
Your sleep patterns have a huge impact on a wide range of health issues, and it’s especially important right now to take good care of your own well-being. So, if you think that a softer colour on the walls will help you feel more at ease in the evenings, get that paint brush out. If you’re not happy with the metal bookcase the previous occupant left behind, get rid of it and introduce the aesthetic that makes you feel at home. This is a space where you need to feel relaxed, comfortable and safe, so you should be as bold as you like.