Creating a bedroom that encourages good sleep and mindful practices is a great way to start every day right. Instead of hitting the snooze button over and over again, a well-styled bedroom will help feel ready for the day. It’s surprisingly easy to transform your bedroom into a more mindful space. So, here are some of our top tips.
Natural textures
One of the best things you can do to create a calming, mindful bedroom is to invest in natural bed linen. So, that means choosing materials like cotton and linen instead of synthetic fabrics. That’s because materials like polyester and acrylic can be scratchy, unbreathable and lead to poor sleep. Plenty of bed linen is made using these synthetic fabrics, so always check the label before buying. In contrast, natural materials like linen and cotton can seriously enhance your slumber. They’re both breathable, sumptuously soft and better for the planet.
ringing more of these natural materials into your bedroom will help create a mindful ambience. Plus, they look as good as they feel. At winter, we suggest layering up with a toasty quilted bedspread layered on top of your cotton bed linen. And you needn’t stop at your bedding either. Use natural textures and materials in your rugs, curtains and upholstery for a truly comforting bedroom.
Calming colours
The right colour can make or break a bedroom, you’ll want it to feel calm, revitalising and atmospheric. When choosing colours for your mindful bedroom we suggest sticking to muted, warm tones and avoiding bright hues like red or gloomy dark greys and browns. Our personal favourite bedroom colour is blue, and there’s serious science behind why it’s a great choice. In fact, the brain can recognise more shades of blue than any other colour. Plus, when the brain senses blue, it isn’t stimulated by it, encouraging it to create more sleepy hormones. Bring shades of blue into your room through the curtains, accent chairs, rugs and bed linen.
Toned-down shades of green and yellow also make brilliant calming bedroom colours. However, if bright colours are your thing and you feel comfortable nodding off surrounded by them, then keep it bold. If it works, it works.
A natural flourish
Bring the outdoors in by adding some specially chosen house plants to your bedroom. In the same way that forest bathing helps to calm and reenergise the mind, adding plants to your bedroom will help create a mindful, calming ambience. Plus, plants look great and will add an extra design flourish to your bedroom.
One of the biggest benefits of having plants in your bedroom is that they help to purify the air. That means they pull toxins from the air, trap them and release oxygen, helping you to have a mindful rest. But remember, not all plants are known for air purifying, so choose carefully.
Warm lighting
The right lighting will do wonders for creating a mindful bedroom. After all, the last thing you need before nodding off is a harsh white light in your eyes. Atmospheric, warming lighting will help create a relaxing, inviting bedroom.
Luckily this is an easy fix. Light bulbs come in warm and white hues. So, simply switch your white bulbs out for warm ones and your bedroom will feel more relaxing instantly. Or, if you’re currently redesigning your home, now might be the right time to ask the electrician for dimmer switches. Dimmer switches mean you can control the ambience of the room without changing bulbs. So, they’re perfect for all occasions.
If you’re looking for a grander solution than new light bulbs but something easier than dimmer switches, then new lighting may be in order. When choosing your lighting, opt for shades made using frosted glass. These will diffuse the light and create a more subtle glow, perfect for bedtime.
No mobiles before bed
If you’re investing in warm lighting and comfortable bedding, then you’re on track to create a truly mindful bedroom. However, an hour spent scrolling on your phone in bed could undo all your good work. Not only will their bright blue light trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, but the constant stimulation will keep you wide awake. We recommend turning your bedroom into a no phone zone. This could mean the whole room, or it could mean leaving your phone on the opposite side of the bedroom to avoid temptation. Avoiding television in the run up to bedtime will also help to improve your sleep and help you drift off faster.
Avoid clutter
Looking to sleep better and wake up feeling mindful? Then a tidy, clutter-free room should set you on the right path. In fact, studies have shown that it takes people with messier bedrooms longer to fall asleep. This means tiredness the following day and less energy to tidy up too. So, ditch the chair that’s piled high with clothes, pick your socks off the floor and neaten up that bedside table.
A great way to achieve a tidy bedroom this is through hidden storage. Whether that’s an ottoman bed with storage space underneath, shelves with opaque doors or cleverly designed wardrobes. Together, these innovative storage solutions will help you create a clutter-free, mindful bedroom.
Want to create your own mindful bedroom? Check out our Bedroom edit.