The bedroom environment affects sleep with the comfort of a mattress, pillow, sheets, and temperature having the greatest impact on slumber quality. The bedroom is one place in the house where you can retreat to rest, rejuvenate, and relax after a busy day or whenever you need to doze off. Designing a good bedroom that addresses the elements impacting snooze time is important if you are going to catch your forty winks and feel refreshed and energized the day after.
Consider Your Bedroom Layout
The layout of a bedroom is significant so that you can move about easily, reduce the sight of clutter, and create an aesthetically-pleasing appearance. You’ll want a good flow so that it is easy to reach the door, windows, cupboard and other major furniture, as well as the bathroom.
To achieve harmony in the bedroom, the furniture that you select must be scaled to the space that you have. Bringing in large pieces of furniture to fit a small room takes up valuable space and increases clutter which is not helpful for a getting a good night’s sleep.
Invest in a Good Bed and Mattress
The most important furniture in your bedroom is a bed and mattress. Without a good bed, it’s hard to sleep well. Shopping for a good bed and mattress takes time, but must be done considering that you’re going to spend lots of time resting or sleeping. It’s also an investment that’s worth putting time and money in if you are going to get quality sleep.
When looking for a suitable bed, be sure to conduct plenty of research and test beds/mattresses in shops. It’s important to evaluate many types of mattresses as they suit different types of sleepers and will have various ratings. BedTester.com explains that a new bedding system not only plays a pivotal role in getting a restful sleep, but also reduces backaches and soreness.
Buy Suitable Pillows
Pillows may be taken for granted, but they have a significant role in achieving good sleep. They should be able to keep your head and neck aligned so that you don’t wake up with a stiff neck. Look for pillows that support the natural curves of your neck and at the same time, consider your sleeping position. For example, 70% of us sleep on our sides according to Consumer Reports. A firm pillow is ideal to support the head and neck at a height of 10cm or 4in off the mattress according to Sacco et al, a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.
Use Cool Sheets and Beddings
Sheets and bedding are also important elements of a good bedroom design. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester are the hottest while natural ones such as cotton and linen are the coolest. Natural fibers have moisture-wicking properties that allow you to stay cool and comfortable when you are sleeping. They are best to help you sleep better during hot summer nights.
Control Room Temperature
Disruptions in your sleep can also be caused by too hot or too cold room temperatures. Although room temperatures depend on personal preferences, the recommended thermostat setting is between 60°F to 67°F for optimal sleep according to Sleep.org. Hence, adjust central heaters and air-conditioning to create a comfortable sleep environment. Temperatures higher or lower than the proposed temperatures can provoke restlessness and affect quality of sleep.
Creating a great bedroom design involves planning the layout of your room, getting a good bed and mattress, using the right pillows and bedding, and controlling room temperature. When all these elements are harmoniously blended, you’ll not only have a fantastic bedroom, but you’ll also get a restful sleep each night.
