These bedroom design mistakes affect the quality of your sleep, BUT you can fix them. Read more to find out how.
Another restless night? While you establish a healthy bedtime routine and keep your environment as silent as possible, the reason you don't get your well-deserved night's rest might be due to your own bedroom setup.
Your bedroom's interior design doesn't only have to make it Insta-worthy and welcoming; it also has to support your needs in terms of sleep. Whether it's your palette, lighting, furniture, or mattress, there are a lot of factors that are neglected that lead to a restless night. Add that workload to your study table that haunts you at night.
Your bedroom is supposed to be the perfect place to rest and get away from the hustle and bustle of your day. If your bedroom isn't the oasis you need, you might need to reconsider its components. This guide will lay out the mistakes in room interior design that can affect your sleep quality, and we'll try to fix them together.
Design mistake #1: Choosing style over comfort
We love a stylish bed with a cosy mattress. Choosing a beautiful centrepiece is important to creating an inviting bedroom. However, choosing a mattress that is just visually appealing can sabotage your sleep. When buying a mattress, remember that not all soft and thick mattresses that look good in commercials are the best for you. A good mattress supports the natural shape of your back and targets your pressure points. This depends on your sleep position and comfort preference. Aside from its looks, it's also vital that your bed provide proper support for your mattress.
The idea of researching might be overwhelming, but doing so will help you choose a cosy mattress and a sturdy frame. When doing your mattress buying research, take note of the materials, firmness, and size of the unit.
Read more: The Complete Guide to Buying a New Mattress
Design mistake #2: You used unsettling wall colours
Bright tones are great for home offices and study areas since they energise the mind and stimulate creativity. However, vibrant and creative hues might not just stimulate your brain for work but may distract you during your sleep. But this does not mean you need to stick to dull tones that are boring and monotonous. It's important to add some accent hues and textures to make your bedroom alive and inspiring. When painting your walls, choose vibrant choices like blue, calming green, and subtle pink, which are pretty colours that are also relaxing. Natural and neutral tones like leafy greens, navy blue, grey, and brown can balance bright accents. If you love vibrant colours in your room, choose some spots to decorate without distracting you at night.
Design mistake #3: Your bedding accessories are uncomfortable
Notice how you have a good mattress and supportive bed frame, but you still end up tossing and turning on your bed? If this is your bedroom scenario, what's keeping you from getting a good night's sleep is your bedding. Is your pillow saggy? Is your blanket so hot that you're filled with sweat at night? Are you bothered by nightly itching, sneezing, and irritation?
If you've been using your pillows for over two years already, chances are they've become saggy, lumpy, and prone to catching allergens. That's your cue to replace your pillow. When buying your new pillow, like a mattress, make sure to consider one that is supportive and comfortable. Also, look for anti-dust mite, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and hypoallergenic properties.
For your bedding, look for products made with natural materials like cotton to ensure breathable comfort, especially if you live in a warm place like Singapore. We recommend getting items with a sateen finish for a softer feel. If you are a sweaty sleeper, try lyocell bedding to keep you dry and comfortable.
Aside from upgrading your bedding accessories, make sure to wash your dirty sheets and protectors regularly to prevent dirt and other gross elements from disturbing your sleep.
Design mistake #4: Your room is cluttered
That sock that's been misplaced on top of your drawer, bottles everywhere, boxes lying on your floor, and stuff that doesn't have a dedicated place to sit—all these things and some that we didn't mention don't just obstruct your room's visual flow but also your convenience. Your bedroom should be nothing but comfortable to help you enjoy your time for yourself and your family, but a cluttered bedroom takes away the sense of convenience and makes your room difficult to navigate. Treat decluttering as a way to clear your mind.
Declutter your room by removing the things you don't need and getting the appropriate storage solutions for the stuff that will remain in your room. Based on your needs, you can go for a versatile wardrobe or a chest of drawers to utilise your vertical space: welcome other storage solutions and DIYs. Remember that when you declutter, you want to have a clear view of your storage needs before buying your storage solutions. This is to make sure you don't buy something that won't be very useful.
Design mistake #5: The scent of your room is not good for your sleep
This is often overlooked, but scents also affect the quality of your sleep. If you are not using any scent in your room or are using the wrong one, it's time to choose the right fragrance to upgrade your sleep quality. Although we have our favourite scents, some are more stimulating than others. Floral scents like ylang-ylang help relax your mind and improve your sleep. Other scents, like lavender, jasmine, and chamomile, help calm the mind and promote healthy sleep. You can incorporate fragrances in your bedroom with a humidifier, scented candles, and even aromatherapy pillows.
Design mistake #6: Your lighting is not conducive for sleep
Inappropriate or outside lighting can disrupt your sleep quality. When it's time to snooze, keep a dim light or a warm lamp nearby to help you relax. Although the moon is a pleasing sight from your flat, its light might be distracting when you're about to go to sleep. If unnecessary lighting, like streetlights or those that come from your neighbors, enters your room through your window, consider getting blackout curtains or blinds to block distracting lights. In the morning, push the curtain to each side to invite the bright sun to liven up your room.
Aside from the factors above, remember to cut your caffeine intake, especially hours before you sleep, have a good bedtime routine, eat well, and try to relax your mind before you go to bed. It's also vital to consult a specialist to better understand the causes of your sleep deprivation. Now that we live in a busy, fast-paced generation, it's good to take a break and rejuvenate during sleep.