Design For Sleep

There’s nothing quite like plopping down on your bed after a long day for a well-deserved, good night’s sleep. There’s also nothing like being incredibly tired and not being able to fall asleep. To design your bedroom for optimum sleep, follow these guidelines from Style at Home. Every little bit helps, right?

Photo courtesy Mazzali

1 Neutral colours

From the colour of the walls to the sheets to the rug underfoot, your room’s colour palette can make a big difference when it comes to ensuring a good night’s sleep. Keep things serene with pale, neutral hues and cool colours in the likes of blues, violets and white.

2 Comfortable mattress

If there’s one investment you can make to ensure a good night’s sleep, it’s choosing a mattress that works for your body. Everybody has different preferences when it comes to what they sleep on each night – spring, foam, firm, soft, feather-top – so make sure you go into a store to test before buying. Tip: Don’t get distracted by low prices – a good mattress should last you 10 years, so look at this purchase as a quality investment for recharging your body.

3 Lavender spray

Having trouble falling asleep at the end of a long day? Adding home fragrances to your space, like relaxing lavender can help with those sleepless nights. A dab of essential oil on the pillow case or a light room spray can make all the difference to your sleeping patterns, not to mention make your room smell incredible.

4 Cool temperature

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than waking up in a sweat from a bedroom that’s a few degrees too warm. Take the temperature down a notch before climbing into bed – the cooler air will regulate your body temperature, allowing you to sleep through the night.

5 Blackout curtains

Those sheers might look great with the mid-afternoon sun shining through, but when you’re aching for a sleep-in on a Sunday morning, they become your bedroom’s worst enemy. Opt for another layer of window dressings and hang blackout curtains to ensure that the only thing waking you up on a lazy weekend is your body’s internal clock.

6 Simulated sunrise lamp

The startling buzz of an alarm can erase any deep sleep you had throughout the night, provoking you to grumpily hit the snooze button rather than start your day feeling great. Wake up to the sunrise no matter what time you plan on getting out of bed by trading in the alarm for a simulated sunrise lamp. Philips’ Wake-Up Light uses light therapy and sound to wake you up in a natural way, easing into the day after a well-rested night.

7 Quality bed sheets

Investing in quality bed sheets isn’t just good for the appearance of the room, but can have a positive impact on your sleep patterns too. Choose a silky sheet set with a high thread count for a restful sleep that won’t have you waking up in the middle of the night with itchy skin.

8 Dimmed lighting

You know that feeling of serenity you get at the spa when the lights are low? Recreate that in your bedroom by installing dimmer switches. Relax in bed with the lights dimmed for 10 minutes before tucking in to sleep – the low glow will help to rest your eyes and steady your mind.

9 Soundproof windows

City dwellers and suburbanites alike fall victim to outside noises interrupting a good night’s sleep, from wailing sirens to barking dogs. Upgrade your windows and install double-paned glass in your bedroom to keep the external disruptions to a minimum.

10 The perfect pillow

Too often we shop for pillows without taking the time to try them out beforehand, leading to stiff necks and sore backs that make it difficult to get a solid sleep. Take the time to choose the perfect pillow, testing it for firmness and checking to make sure its filling is hypoallergenic if you’re prone to sneezing – your body and sinuses will thank you!