Wow. There’s so much going on right now, and I know that for most of us a great night’s sleep—a relaxing, deep, reinvigorating night’s sleep—is so far from what many of us experience on a regular basis let alone during a pandemic! And yet we all know that quality sleep is one of the most important things we can do to keep ourselves happy and healthy.
So here are some of my top recommendations I make to my clients when designing their bedrooms:
Lighting: Put all the room lighting on dimmer switches. Purchase lamps or sconces for your nightstands with adjustable settings or dimmers. Lowering the lights before bed helps us to relax as higher light levels have been shown to suppress melatonin, which is what we all need to produce to make us sleepy.
Window Treatments: If possible, install window treatments that provide multiple layers and options; meaning combine a roller or a Roman shade behind a drape. Or install shutters or soft treatments that can be closed, open, or partially open to diffuse the light. This allows you to control the amount of light in the room, and also provides for different levels of privacy. And when possible, hardwire the larger treatments so that you aren’t yanking them or your arms around.
TVs & Computers: I know some of you won’t like this, but get rid of the TV in the bedroom. Studies have indicated that watching TV before bed actually disrupts sleep cycles. It can engage you too much before sleep, and the light coming from a TV or computer will suppress melatonin production. And the best reason to get rid of the TV, is that couples who keep a TV in the bedroom have sex half as often as those who don’t! Hello!?!
Bedding: Not only should your bedding look nice, but more importantly it needs to be soft and soothing and flexible. What do I mean by that? Layers! Regulating your body temperature during sleep is an important component of a good night’s sleep. If you have lighter layers when it’s warm and heavier options when it’s cold you can adjust your bedding during the night as you need.
Another important part of bedding is the mattress and pillows. Did you know that 93% of Americans rated a comfortable mattress, and 91% rated comfortable pillows as the most important part of getting a good night’s sleep? We often provide recommendations on brands and firmness based on feedback from our clients.
Scents: Anything that we can add to the room like flowers, candles, or diffusers when you use Eucalyptus, Lavender, or Frankincense scents will encourage relaxation. And we all know how great it feels to slip into a clean bed with sheets have a fresh scent.
Lastly, the overall feeling a bedroom should come from the design we create for that room. What colors we bring in, what textures we employ, and what materials we select are all part of how the room, and each room in your house will become your favorite room.
If you like any of the items you see in this post, or would like assistance with the design of your bedroom, contact Willetts Design & Associates:
