Maximizing your Bedroom's Decor for a Better Night's Sleep

Lately my posts have centered around affordable wall art to help decorate your home, but today with the help of a contributor, I want to talk about how a few changes in your bedroom's decor can positively impact your sleep each night.

I am a little embarrassed to share how simple and non-fancy our bedroom is, but since my husband and I prefer simplicity, and since he is not one for knick knacks, our bedroom decor reflects our preference for minimalism. When we first were married we spent a lot of time learning how to make our bedroom conducive to a good night's sleep, (because when dealing with a newborn's sleep schedule, we needed as many things within our control to give us good, quality sleep when we could get it). Eventually I would like to splurge on a bedroom set I absolutely adore, but instead we have spent our money on our mattress since it is more important for our health, and have followed four other steps that allow for our bedroom to give us the best night's sleep.

Did you know that going without sleep for an extended period of time can be fatal? When my husband went without any sleep for a few days in a row, due to a decline in his health, I was amazed at how much was effected by the lack of sleep. Not only do we need 7-9 hours of sleep each night for our health to be optimal, we also need quality sleep as well. So here are a few pieces of bedroom furniture and decor that will give you a better night's rest:

1. A Better Mattress

When it comes to the items that can help you to get a better quality night’s sleep, your mattress sits at the top of the list. Most people keep their mattresses for far too long, way exceeding their typical 8 years of recommended usage, causing sleep difficulties and discomfort as the mattress begins to sag and age. With spring, memory foam, hybrid, and adjustable mattress options available, there’s a mattress out there to suit every body size and shape as well as to suit every preference. To ensure you get the best night’s sleep it’s always worth speaking with a mattress professional who can advise you on the right firmness for your sleeping style and who will also be able to help you get the best deal. 

We recently changed out our 10 year queen-sized Tempur-Pedic mattress to a king-sized Tempur-Pedic. We debated about going to a traditional spring mattress, or the many other different online mattresses out there now, but because we had been so happy with our financial splurge 10 years prior, we only preferred something bigger, we stayed with the same brand.

As I researched the many mattresses out there, I came across a company that does a great job at comparing most mattresses head to head via videos and articles. If you would like to compare Tempur-Pedic to Sleep Number, or Purple to Nectar, etc, check out myslumberyard.com,or search for them on YouTube with the mattress brand names you're considering. Below is one of their most recent videos:

2. Blackout blinds or curtains

Our bodies are programmed to be extremely sensitive to light and will naturally struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep in a lit room. Darkness signals to our bodies that it is time to rest and also promotes the production of Melatonin that relaxes the body preparing it for sleep. Exposure to light while trying to fall asleep, or in the very early hours of the morning can block the body’s natural sleep response and inhibit the release of melatonin leading to trouble falling and staying asleep. To keep your room dark, no matter the time of day or season, install a blackout blind or a pair of blackout curtains that fully block outside sunlight and be sure to turn off any bedside lights. 

When we first moved into our home 3.5 years ago, we had to purchase curtains since our home has casement windows, and blinds don't work with casement windows. Since I like light and airy colors, I bought a pair of white curtains that supposedly were good at blocking out light. Unfortunately they did not work and we had to return them. However, after extensive research, I was grateful to find that Amazon had some white, truly blackout curtains available that we have been very happy with. The key is the inner black lining, and the thickness of these curtains. I am not an Amazon affiliate, and thus do not receive anything from recommending these curtains to you, but love them so much, and love the dark, dark mornings they afford us when we want to sleep in.

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

3. Cool and calm colors 

Most of us have a favorite color but did you know that the color you choose to paint your bedroom can also have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep? Blue is widely considered to be the best color to paint a bedroom, as it is associated with feelings of calm which when relayed to the brain can help to lower your blood pressure and to reduce feelings of stress. Other cool, neutral colors such as gray, silver, and beige are also calming bedroom colors, and warm colors such as pale orange and yellow can also work well by making your bedroom feel warm and cozy. 

We chose to paint our room Silver Gray by Benjamin Moore (2131-60 BM). I thought I was buying a highly popular gray colored paint, and was surprised that it is definitely blue, despite there being no mention of blue in the name. However, since blue is my favorite color, and "Silver Gray" is a very gentle and soft blue, we have been happy with its calming effect. 

As you can see in the images below, this paint color, just like all paint colors, can take on a different look depending on the light and the surrounding:

Silver Gray in master bedroom. Courtesy of decorpad.com

Silver Gray in bathroom. Courtesy of decorpad.com

4. Bedside cabinets

Although it is perfectly possible to get a great night’s sleep without bedside cabinets they certainly help to organize the essentials that you may want to have close to you throughout the night. Although your phone and other stimulating devices should be tucked away in a drawer to avoid distraction, it’s helpful to have a glass of water by your bed so that you can have a drink without needing to fully wake up and walk to the kitchen and many people also like to keep a pen and paper handy so that they can write down random thoughts that they know they need to remember the following day.

5. Temperature control

Whether you have an air conditioning unit or a fan, it’s best to have some form of temperature control in your bedroom to keep it between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the optimum temperature for sleep. It’s always much easier to sleep in a colder room than a hot one as you can easily layer up with blankets and throws, so don’t worry too much if the room falls below 60. Some people also find the ambient background noise of a fan or AC unit also helps them to sleep by covering up other more distracting noises like the sound of traffic, but a fan or AC that is too loud can have the opposite effect. 

So there you have it, whether you are creating a bedroom for your children or are doing one up for yourself a few simple items can make a big difference to your sleep.

Since sleep makes up nearly 50% of each of our lives, I would love to hear what you have personally found to be a game changer in helping you or your family sleep! Please share what has worked for you by commenting below...