Do you struggle to get to sleep at night? Your bedroom design might be the culprit. According to both interior designers and insomnia experts, your sleep environment (i.e your bedroom) can have a massive impact on your sleep quality.

We all know the power of a good night’s sleep. When we fall asleep easily (and actually stay asleep), the world becomes our oyster. Not only can we generally handle life better, but the health benefits for our mind and body also reach far into the future. So when our sleep suffers, so do we. 

Cultivating a relaxing ambience for rest involves some simple design tricks. Changing even the small things can have a noticeable effect on your sleep hygiene. From going all-in on a new mattress to your lighting choice, here are five ways to make your bedroom a place to look forward to retreating to every night.

Invest in a quality mattress

When was the last time you replaced your mattress? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to visit your local bedding store. Your mattress is the most important element of securing a good night’s sleep. If your mattress isn’t right, you can guarantee your sleep will suffer. The experts say you should replace a mattress every 7 to 10 years, but don’t be afraid to listen to your body’s needs. If you’re waking up with backaches or just general stiffness, you might need to switch out your mattress for a different model. 

Choose the right colour scheme

A bedroom’s colour scheme won’t just set the tone for furniture, it can also affect your emotions and bedtime regime. A soothing colour scheme can make a world of difference. Take a look at your current colour scheme. What kind of colours dominate? How do they make you feel? Soothing doesn’t always have to be light either. Depending on your taste, soothing might mean bright and playful tones or something dark and moody. 

If you want something easygoing, opt for colours like a crisp white or a soft blush. Alternatively, darker tones like navy or emerald green can offer a warm, calming effect too. 

Lighting is key

Light is the most powerful cue for your circadian rhythm (the part of your biological clock that regulates sleep). When it’s time for your beauty sleep, you want to make your bedroom as dark as possible to reinforce a healthy sleep pattern. Black-out curtains are a favourite of ours for this. To keep the mood relaxed, your lighting choice is crucial. Ditch the retina-burning bright white bulbs and go for bulbs with lower wattages or lampshades that diffuse brightness. 

Introduce calming scents

Lavender. Cedar. Jasmine. Rosemary. Mmm, we feel better already. Whether it’s from a candle or a diffuser, scents are a great way to prepare your mind and body for sleep. Not only do these scents have stress-relieving properties, but the physical act of lighting a candle can also help put your body in a state of relaxation. If candles, incense or diffusers aren’t your jam, a vase of fresh flowers will do the trick too.

Pick the right pillow

Your pillow choice plays a big role in creating an inviting sleep environment. Pillows can prevent neck pain by keeping your head and spine properly aligned. So when your pillow is off, you’re guaranteed to wake up feeling the complete opposite of rested. 

Don’t skimp on your bedding

Your bed is, of course, a centrepiece of the bedroom environment. Your bedding is crucial for good sleep, as well as the design of the room. So if there’s one thing you should splash out on, it’s quality linen. Because the temperature of your room also plays a part in your sleep, consider cooling sheets. Alternatively, if you like your bed a little snug, try a cosy flannel option.

Declutter wherever possible

Clutter and organisation go hand-in-hand with sleep quality. A bedroom should be a place of total serenity and that’s not really achievable when it’s littered with clothes and clutter. Find homes for your knick-knacks, and strategically place bins and baskets for your clothes. And as much of a morning chore as it can be – make your bed! If there’s one thing you can do to make your room a more inviting place, it’s this. There’s nothing like crawling into a done-up bed at the end of a busy day.