Designed For Sleep
You don't have to call in the design team...just a few simple changes to your bedroom can give you a better night's sleep.
Express your own style. Designing a room for relaxation and sleep will reflect the colors and materials that soothe and relax you. The important thing is to consciously design a room that calms and comforts you.
Control the light in the room.
A dark room is the most conducive for sleep, while light signals it’s time to be awake.
- If light seeping in from street lights makes it difficult to get to sleep, or if the early morning sun frequently wakes you, consider blackout blinds to completely eclipse bedroom windows.
- If you have an illuminated alarm clock, you may want to consider trying a clock without a light or turning yours away from the bed.
Block out noise.
Sudden, loud noises from inside or outside the home can disrupt sleep. Steady, low sounds, such as the whir of a fan or air conditioner, are soothing because they help block out distracting noises. Sound machines that play recordings of ocean waves or falling rain are another option.
Maintain a cool, consistent room temperature.
Fluctuations in temperature disturb sleep cycles and often result in waking during the night. Keep your room’s temperature cool and consistent, from going to bed to waking. The ideal bedroom temperature is 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidifiers and fans can contribute to a relaxing environment.
Bedrooms should be places for sleeping.
By moving televisions, home offices, and exercise machines out of your bedroom, you eliminate distractions and create a mental association between your room and sleep. Armoires, folding screens and plants can be used to partition off work areas if you have limited space. If you find yourself preoccupied with an alarm clock or other items, reposition them away from your line of vision.