Image: Clair Strong Interior Design

We all understand the importance of sleep. And yet so many of us struggle to get a solid seven hours.

For many people, the problem of poor sleep is quite simple: their bedroom is not the sanctuary of peace and quiet it should be. Here are my tips for creating a healthy, sleep-inducing bedroom without sacrificing style.

Calming Colours

A bright pink accent wall might look fabulous, but it could also be keeping you awake. Intense colours create visual energy, making you feel stimulated, inspired or motivated. That’s great in the office or the gym, but less useful in the bedroom. Colour is intrinsically linked with mood and emotions, so choose calming colours like light blues, greys and greens for a relaxing, restful space.

Curtain Call

The human body is designed to sleep when it is dark, so the more light you can remove from your bedroom, the better. Any form of light (including light from a phone screen) inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone that induces drowsiness. Less melatonin means less sleep.

Inside the home we can simply turn all the lights off. But what about the outside sources we have no control over? Blackout curtains are a fantastic solution, blocking up to 99% of all light, including street lamps and sunlight.

Reduce Clutter

If there’s only one room in your house you keep impeccably tidy, make it the bedroom. Remove anything you do not need. That means the piles of laundry, stacks of magazines and boxes of old clothes and toys. Clutter can be stressful and distracting which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid in the bedroom.

Removing clutter will also have the added benefit of keeping the bedroom free from dust and bacteria.

Mattress Matters

Like most things, mattresses experience lots of wear and tear with use. Unlike most things, this wear and tear isn’t always visible. A good quality mattress will last between 8 and 10 years. After that time, it’s simply not providing you with the support and comfort you need. If you wake up feeling stiff and achy, or still feel tired after a full night’s sleep, it might be time to replace your mattress.

Ditch the Digital Devices

We’re all guilty of taking our phones to bed for a late-night game of Candy Crush or a binge-watching marathon. However, numerous studies have shown that watching TV or using your phone before bed can lead to sleep deprivation. Don’t spend time and money on creating a beautiful space only to keep up destructive habits. The final thing you can do for a better night’s sleep is ensure TVs, phones and tablets are kept out of the bedroom.