One of the most exciting things about getting yourself set up in your first home is the opportunity to make every room perfectly suitable for its purpose. No more making do with how previous tenants had the place set up! It’s your chance to decide on your priorities and create a space that suits your life.
So what about your bedroom? For many people, this is the most exciting room to decorate. It’s all too easy to get swept away with the excitement about colours and textures and forget the real purpose of this space: as your haven for a good night’s sleep. If you’re a light sleeper, you may like to take the opportunity to create not only the bedroom of your dreams, but a space that is fully-optimised for sleep.
But where do you start? These tips will help you create a gorgeous bedroom that serves its true purpose.
Dreamy Window Treatments
How you treat your windows will directly impact the quality of your sleep. Total darkness is crucial for good sleep, so keeping the light out is a good place to start. Invest in blackout curtains or blinds (Windo is a fantastic place to source these) so you won’t be disturbed by even street light from outside. That’s not to say that your window treatments have to look boring or plain, though. This is your sleep haven, so you need to feel cosy, too. The two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive, as you can always layer window treatments to create the billowy effect you’re going for. Muslin or lace are great options to help you achieve that dreamy look.
Sleep-friendly Lighting
While you might want bright lights in your bedroom during the day, especially if your desk is in your room, harsh bedroom lighting is not your friend when it comes time to fall asleep. Restorative sleep begins with the release of melatonin. If you’re not familiar with melatonin, it’s the sleep hormone that’s responsible for letting your body know that all the hard work is over for the day, and it’s time to power down for the night. Disrupting your body’s delicate melatonin cycle is easy to do, without even being aware that it’s happening. Bright bedroom lighting is one of the main culprits. As a good rule of thumb, you should avoid exposure to bright artificial light for an hour before bed. Instead of high-wattage bulbs, invest in low-wattage lighting solutions like fairy lights or a night lamp. Not only will your eyes thank you, but the dreamy, relaxing atmosphere will help you wind down before sleep
Relaxing Colors
Whether you’re painting the walls or choosing linens, consider the effect of colours on your sleep. Cool like deep purples, dark blues and grays can have a calming effect that promotes sleep, encouraging your body and mind to slow down and get ready to recharge. Similarly, an all-white look, or predominantly neutral colour palette, will offer minimal stimulation, which can have a calming effect on the mind.
Decorating your bedroom is a great opportunity to promote good sleep while you’re at it. These tips will get you started.
