With the stresses and strains of the last twelve months, compounded by the whole family at home, it can be difficult to find somewhere peaceful to unwind. Our bedroom should be our sanctuary – somewhere we can relax after a tiring day and prepare our bodies for sleep. In practice, you might be finding that your treasured sleep space isn’t the haven of tranquillity you desire, and a few room edits might be on the agenda. Here are our ideas on how you can feel totally at peace in your bedroom to promote a restful and energising night’s sleep.

Keep The Rest Apart

Whilst many of us are continuing to work from home, not everyone will have the space for a dedicated home office. Your bedroom might seem the obvious place to work as it’s likely to be quieter and more spacious than other living areas. However, in order for your bedroom to fulfil its intended purpose, your work life should be kept as separate as possible.

Easier said than done? If you need to use your bedroom for work purposes, try to set your work station up as far away from your bed as possible, and with a physical barrier in-between, such as a book shelf or a mobile room divider. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ will mean you’re more likely to switch off from work-mode. Fitted furniture is an ideal way of incorporating a work area into your bedroom without encroaching on too much space. A desk can be fitted behind wardrobe doors, so you can quite literally close the door on the working day, helping to achieve a healthy work-life balance. With numerous storage solutions available to include, bespoke furniture will ensure that all your work equipment can be stored away too in an orderly and accessible manner.

Comfort First

Having a comfortable bed is essential for achieving a good quality night’s sleep. Hotels and spas pay particular attention to the beds in their guest rooms so you should do the same with you own bedroom. The bed is often overlooked when it comes to getting a good (or bad) night’s sleep, yet it plays a crucial role. Instead of waking up refreshed, energised and ready to face the world, sleeping on a mattress that is past its best is likely to give you a disturbed night and a stiff neck or back in the morning. Due to wear and tear, after 7 years it may not be giving you the support or comfort you need for a replenishing night’s sleep.

Memory foam mattresses can relieve body stresses, muscle pains and aches, and the Sleep Council says that we gain an average of 42 extra minutes of sleep when we swap an old mattress for a new one. Your pillow will also affect the quality of your sleep; it needs to tuck into the neck and shoulder area to effectively support your head. If your sleep is suffering, it’s worth checking if your mattress is to blame. And if you need a new one, the NBF (The National Bed Federation) has lots of advice on how to buy a new one.

Also ensure your duvet is the correct tog for the season, make a habit of plumping pillows and duvets daily and choose soft materials that won’t irritate the skin. Bedding should be changed frequently but you could refresh the pillowcases every other day between full bedding changes.

Natural Therapy

If you’ve ever been to a health spa, you will know that they have a tendency to ‘bring the outdoors in’.  Nature has a wonderful calming effect on the mind and spirit so bringing a few natural elements into your bedroom will help to promote the soothing energy that a bedroom needs.  An indoor palm in the corner of the room, hanging ivy on a wall shelf and a delicate spider plant placed beside the bed will each contribute to creating a natural sanctuary.

Natural wood furniture, accessories made from sustainable materials, such as wicker, bamboo or stone, and organic soft furnishings, such as linen sheets and pillow-cases, will also help to create a natural haven of tranquillity. Ensure your bedlinen is made from natural fibres and is free from harsh chemical treatments that could expose you to harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and synthetic pesticides.

Get it Light

During the day, it’s ideal for a bedroom to be exposed to as much natural light as possible, so curtains or blinds should remain open. At night, the very opposite is required for us to fall asleep naturally and remain so uninterrupted. Blackout blinds are perfect for blocking out light, especially during the summer months when the days are longer.

During the evening we rely on artificial lighting. When making our lighting selection, we often think about how the actual light fitting will complement the rest of our décor. Of course, having an aesthetically pleasing lamp is important but, when it comes to the bedroom, it is essential that we consider the type and amount of light it provides. Bedside lamps should emit warm light that is bright enough for you to read in bed without straining your eyes, but also dim enough to help your eyes and mind prepare for the land of nod.

Sensational Scents

What is one of the first things you notice when entering a spa? It is more than likely the glorious scents which fill the air in each and every area. We usually think of touch as the ‘comfort sense’ but smell is just as important.

Essential oils are a wonderful way of keeping your room smelling fresh, as well as lifting your mood. A few drops of lavender oil on your pillow will help you drift off into a natural sleep. It has also been found to reduce anxiety and depression. Scented candles are an excellent choice too. Not only will they produce a subtle yet pleasant aroma to keep your bedroom beautifully scented; they will also provide a calming ambience.  Just be sure to blow them out before you fall asleep!

At Hartleys we can also play a part in turning your bedroom into a relaxing sanctuary. Our fitted storage systems will ensure you have space for all your belongings and that clutter is kept to a minimum. Our room designs are sleek and streamlined, thus gentle on the eye. If we can help you create your ideal bedroom, please contact us on 01756 700471 or take a look at our website at www.hartleysbedrooms.co.uk