Is Your Bed Space Affecting Your Headspace? Top Tips For A Serene Sanctuary
For many of us, nothing beats climbing into bed at the end of a busy day. Even the thought of lying down and enjoying the peace and tranquillity can power us through a hectic afternoon of meetings. When you step into your bedroom, it should automatically make you feel relaxed. If it doesn’t, and you don’t find the room a calming space, this could impact your headspace and your ability to sleep properly. If your bedroom isn’t quite the serene sanctuary you long for, here are some top tips to help you create a restful haven at home.
Defining the role of your room
There are some rooms in the home, which are geared towards multiple roles, but the bedroom shouldn’t be one of those spaces. It’s perfectly fine to have a kitchen that also acts as a playroom, a TV room, a work station and an area to convene and converse, but your bedroom should be reserved solely for rest. When you get home from work, or you’ve had a stressful day with the kids, stepping into your sanctuary should provide instant relief. If you’ve got laptops on the bed, an exercise bike in the corner or children’s toys scattered over the floor, you’re not going to be able to relax. Keep your bedroom as a retreat, which is used only to chill out and sleep.
It’s very hard to escape technology in this day and age, but resist the temptation to install a TV in your bedroom and leave phones and tablets downstairs. If you’re getting into bed and checking emails or sending texts, you’re going to find it harder to get to sleep. Flashing lights and random beeping noises can also be a distraction when you’re trying to snooze.
If you don’t have space at home for a relaxation room, and many don’t, you can devote a corner of your bedroom to activities that you find calming. If you enjoy meditating, for example, using a quiet space will enable you to focus.
Choosing colours
If you’re planning a tranquil makeover for your boudoir, choosing colours for the walls and accessories is an excellent place to start. Colours don’t just bring a room to life. They also create an atmosphere, and they can have a significant influence on your mood. If you’re designing a relaxing space, you don’t want to opt for tones and shades that energize or empower you. Colours like orange and yellow are associated with happiness, and they lift your mood, boost your spirits and give you energy. While accents of these colours may be a brilliant addition to a kitchen, a playroom or a work area, they’re not suitable for the bedroom. Red is linked to passion, but it can be overpowering, so stick to coloured accents like cushions and rugs. White is a popular choice for bedrooms. It is a calming colour, which is pure and clean and it goes with everything, so you can easily add interest with accessories. Monochrome is an ever-present feature of lists of top bedroom trends. Blue and green are tranquil colours, which can help to soothe and relax you. Go for pastel tones to lighten and freshen up the space.
When you’re choosing colours, take a look at some charts and try some testers at home. Often, paint shades look very different on the wall to how they do on the front of a pot, so it’s worth doing a quick trial to see which tones you like best and which colours suit the room. If you’ve got a small room or there’s a lack of natural light, avoid dark shades. It’s best to keep the walls light and use accessories or soft furnishings to carry a theme through or introduce a complementary colour.
Getting your bed right
The appearance of the bed can make all the difference to both your mood and the overall look of the room. If you’ve got an old mattress, which has seen better days, covers that haven’t been put right that morning or a headboard that has slipped down on one side, it’s not going to look all that inviting, no matter how hard a day you’ve had. In contrast, if you stroll into your room and spot a beautifully made bed with fresh linen and fluffy pillows, this presents a much more appealing option. The look of the bed is not the only consideration if you’re revamping your room.
If you’ve got an old mattress, there’s every chance that it could be stopping you from sleeping, so check out some articles and read reviews and complaints to help you choose a new mattress. Once you’ve got an idea of what’s available and how much products cost, go to a showroom and sit and lie on the beds. It’s important that you get a feel for the mattress and choose something that you find comfortable. Everyone is different, and some people prefer much firmer mattresses than others. When you’ve got a new bed, you can choose to keep or replace the frame and headboard and then add cushions, throws, and blankets to make it look cozy and alluring.
If you are thinking of buying a new headboard or bed frame, there are some really interesting and quirky ideas online if you’re looking for something different. Consider an old stable door for a rustic retreat or make a feature out of patterned tiles to channel a Mediterranean vibe.
Clearing clutter
When you’re tired, stressed or you simply want to switch off and shut down, the last thing you want to see is clutter. If your room is full of clothes, shoes, toys, books or bits and bobs, set aside an afternoon or a weekend and declutter. Hang some shelves if every surface is covered by frames or ornaments and invest in some storage boxes or an extra cupboard or wardrobe. Try and get into the habit of putting everything away on a daily basis and keep the floor clear. It’s much more pleasant to walk into a tidy room than to have to navigate your way through a minefield of dirty washing and clothes you wore three days ago.
If you’ve managed to accumulate a lot of stuff in your bedroom or your closet is full of things you never wear or use, have a clear out. Getting rid of things is cathartic, and it will also free up space and make it easier to stay on top of clutter. If you’ve got items of clothing in pristine condition with the labels on, consider selling them online or host a garage sale. If you’ve got clothes that are in good condition, but they’ve been worn, you could donate them to charity. Another option is to arrange a clothes swap with friends.
Finishing touches
The finishing touches and finer details are all-important when it comes to converting a bedroom into a serene sanctuary.
Lighting has a major influence on the look and feel of a room, and it can really help you to create a more relaxing and romantic space. In the bedroom, avoid harsh lighting. Opt for soft lighting by using a dimmer switch or replacing strip lights or spotlights with lamps or wall-mounted up-lighters. You could also use fairy lights or candles. Choose light fittings that suit the style and theme of the room.
Soft furnishings are another fantastic addition for a cosy, peaceful room. Adding blankets, rugs, and cushions makes the room look more snug, and it also enables you to combine different textures and materials. Faux fur, wool and velvet work well in the cooler months.
Finally, putting plants in your bedroom should help to purify the air and add a fresh, clean vibe. Plants are proven to reduce stress levels, and they also look beautiful. Plants that are known to help you sleep and feel calmer include jasmine, lavender, aloe vera and spider plants. It’s very easy to keep house plants, so don’t worry if you’re not a horticultural expert. All you need to do is water your plants on a regular basis and choose either a sunny or a shady spot depending on the type of plant.
Is your bedroom always a mess? Is the decor dated? Do you struggle to unwind at the end of the day? The look and feel of the bedroom can have a major impact on your mood and your ability to relax when you go to bed. If your room isn’t a tranquil haven yet, it soon will be if you follow these steps. Aim to design a retreat, which makes you feel calm. Use your bedroom solely for relaxing and sleeping, keep technology out of the bedroom and make your bed an inviting focal point. Replace ageing mattresses and pillows and use soft furnishings to add a cosy feel. Consider colours carefully and avoid anything garish. Opt for soothing, gentle tones or add brighter notes using accessories. Once you’ve got your bed and your colourway sorted, focus on the details and make an effort to clear clutter. Hopefully, you’ll emerge with a beautiful boudoir, which provides you with a serene sanctuary to escape to when you need to relax.
