Sleep. It’s a coveted resource and many of us don’t get enough of it.According to the CDC, more than 70 million Americans suffer from regular and persistent sleep problems. Poor sleep can cause a range of health issues such as increased susceptibility to injury, mental health conditions, and threats to the immune system. If you have trouble sleeping, a bedroom makeover may be just what the doctor ordered. Sleep insufficiency is real but it’s not invited into your inner sanctum. Show sleep troubles who’s boss by taking a critical look at your bedroom and adopting these modern bedroom ideas for better sleep.
Modern Bedroom Ideas for a Good Night’s Sleep Step 1: Declutter
Observe your space. If your bedroom feels busy, full, and chaotic, it can interfere with your sleep. Step into your bedroom, pause and look around. Are you sharing your bed with loads of unfolded laundry? Is there a pile of work files, books and other materials shaming you from your bedside table? Has your room become the dumping ground for your family’s castoffs? There’s no shame in any of these games. Life is busy and our bedrooms – places we consider private and “away”– take the brunt of it.
Next consider how all of these things make you feel. If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “not peaceful.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time for a full bedroom remodel. It might just mean it’s time to get the clutter out and reclaim your space.
Create some boundaries. Your room is no longer the place for things like work, laundry and storage. It’s where you sleep, rest, and unwind. That’s it. Laundry be gone! Find another place for all of the things you do not associate with sleep and relaxation.
Put it somewhere else. Yes, I know. This may create a waterfall of reshuffling and decluttering throughout your home, but trust me, it is worth it. Consider a storage unit for those things currently kept in your bedroom that your family doesn’t use regularly. Freecycle the pile of old clothes no one wears anymore that is currently leering at you from the corner of your room. The key to the world’s most simple bedroom makeover? Get the stuff out.
Hide it with style. So you have a smallish space and need to use your bedroom for some of your stuff. If you can’t put it somewhere else, at least embrace the mantra of small room décor ideas and hide it with style. It’s easy to create your ownstylish storage solutions. Out of sight is indeed out of mind.
Modern Bedroom Ideas for a Good Night’s Sleep Step 2: Deep Clean
Ahhh, your space is cleared out and organized. You can breathe! Except not too deeply because boy is this place dusty! Because our bedrooms are tucked away and often are spaces meant just for us, we don’t tend to give them the deep cleans they deserve.
Keeping your bedroom tidy and clean is key to healthy sleep. For one, it helps reduce allergens and allows us to breathe better, reducing wakeups and promoting longer, deeper sleep cycles. Second, a clean bedroom is tied to better mental health. Waking up in clean surroundings offers a positive start to a new day, decreases stress, and facilitates better overall mental health.
Wash all the linens. The Sleep Sound Foundation recommends bedsheets be washed once per week, and sometimes more frequently for people who have pets or who have allergies. Wash your duvet covers every few weeks to a month.
Dust everywhere. Especially any ceiling fans and light fixtures above your bed. Dust can irritate allergies, exacerbate asthma, and generally cause disruptions to our health. Give your window treatments a gentle dusting, too. Use a feather duster for blinds or a vacuum – on a low setting – to dust drapes.
Wipe it down. Get those baseboards. The bedside tables. The legs of chairs. Do not forget the headboard. Add a bit of lavender oil to your bucket of suds to contribute to the resting, peaceful vibe.
Remake the bed. It’s the last thing you want to do just before bedtime, so be sure to remake your bed after washing all of your linens. You can also save time by keeping an extra set of sheets ready to go while the other set is being washed. Nothing feels better than crawling into a bed with freshly laundered sheets.
Modern Bedroom Ideas for a Good Night’s Sleep Step 3: Décor and Comfort
You’ve put in the hard work to keep your bedroom organized, clean, and already much better suited to relaxing. Now for the fun part: a bedroom makeover! Ok, ok, you don’t have to go that far (but really, no one’s stopping you). Instead, here are some fun, simple bedroom remodel ideas to make your space feel appealing and comfortable.
Treat those windows. Light management is key to a happy, healthy bedroom and a good night’s sleep. Use blackout curtains to align the external light conditions with your sleep patterns.
Bed linen update. Sure, they are clean, but do your bed sheets feel luxurious? If they don’t promote relaxation and comfort, it might be time for an update. Consider flannel sheets in the winter and organic cotton or bamboo in the summer. Both help control temperature and keep you feeling cozy.
Soothe with color. The most calming colors are blues, greens, pinks, and a range of beiges. Look for slightly muted rather than energizing colors. Once you pick a color you find soothing, use it to inspire your bedroom makeover. Go big and paint the walls or simply add accents. Throw pillows, area rugs, and art are great room decor ideas for making your bedroom feel like a relaxing oasis.
Let there be (soft) light. Overhead fixtures can be a bit much. Add bedside lamps to your bedroom to give it a softer, more intimate and relaxing glow. If overhead lights are your only option, consider installing a dimmer. Lighting options are key to meeting all your bedroom needs.
Modern Bedroom Ideas for a Good Night’s Sleep Step 4: Ambience
Ambience goes beyond décor; it’s the atmosphere or character of a place and it’s just what bedrooms need to promote better sleep. The following elements provide ample inspiration and a few simple bedroom ideas to make sleep a familiar friend.
Temperature. Not too hot, not too cold. Room temperature is the Goldilocks of sleep. And for good reason, a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found temperature to be the number one factor in a good night’s sleep. The ideal temperature range for adults during sleep is between 60-67 degrees. So adjust your thermostats and enjoy the zzzzs.
Sound. External noise is the primary cause of frequent waking in the night. Reducing noise interruption, either in frequency or volume, is essential to a solid rest. As you think about bedroom remodel ideas or ways to tweak your sleeping space, incorporate a white noise machine to block out noise or play comforting music.
Smell. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about slumber, but smell is also important. While smell won’t necessarily cause you to wake, the right scents can promote relaxation and sleep. A few drops of lavender essential oil below your nose, on your pillow, or in a diffuser, can help you feel calm and facilitate better sleep.
Feel. Invest in luxurious bedding. Whether it’s a satin pillowcase or a faux fur throw blanket, bedding that feel sumptuous and soft not only helps you relax but feels like an extra special indulgence. Weighted blankets can counter anxiety and add an extra component of comfort to your bedroom ambience.
Environment is key to a peaceful rest. If your bedroom is keeping you from dream town, these modern bedroom ideas can help you get the sleep you need. Lights out, everyone!
