Is Your Bedroom Helping You Sleep?

Your bedroom is one of the most important rooms in your home because it’s most likely where you go to get a good night’s sleep. To sleep well you need to create an environment that makes you feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed enough to simply drift off. In this blog, we’ll explore ways to transform and upgrade your room into a space that promotes better quality rest.

What to put in the bedroom to help sleep?

Creating a sleep-friendly bedroom doesn't have to be complicated. The key is to reduce distractions, maintain a comfortable temperature, and create an environment that helps you feel relaxed and secure.

Managing Light and Sound

  • Blackout curtains or a comfortable eye mask to block out unwanted light.
  • A white noise machine or earplugs to reduce disruptive sounds.
  • A digital alarm clock placed away from your bed, so you aren't tempted to check your phone during the night.

Managing Temperature

  • A bedside fan to help keep the room cool and improve airflow.
  • Breathable bedding made from cotton or bamboo to prevent overheating.
  • Lightweight layers of blankets that can be added or removed throughout the night.

Comfort and Relaxation Extras

  • An essential oil diffuser with calming scents such as lavender or chamomile.
  • Soft, warm lamps for your evening routine instead of bright overhead lighting.
  • A nightlight if you want a gentle source of light that's less harsh than a ceiling light.

How to make my sleep more comfortable?

While comfortable pillows, bedsheets, and a supportive mattress are essential, comfort looks different from person to person. Some people would rather sleep on a firm mattress than a softer one, for example.

Spend time finding products that suit your personal preferences and sleep needs. Invest in high-quality beddings, and a mattress that properly supports your body. The more comfortable you feel in bed, the easier it will be to fall asleep and stay asleep as the night goes on.

Why do I sleep better in the living room than the bedroom?

If you find yourself falling asleep more easily in the living room than in your bedroom, there could be a few reasons why.

For some people, the living room feels like a more relaxed and less pressurised environment. When you go to bed, you may start thinking about how long it will take to fall asleep or worrying about getting enough rest, leading your mind to race and making it harder to unwind. However, your living room is often associated with relaxing activities such as watching TV, or spending time with family and friends, which can help you relax and drift off naturally.

Another possible explanation is that your brain may have stopped associating your bedroom with sleep. If you regularly spend time in bed feeling stressed, anxious, scrolling on your phone, or struggling to sleep, your brain may no longer associate your bed with rest, which makes it harder to fall asleep.

The physical environment may also play a role. Living rooms are often larger, better ventilated, and cooler than bedrooms, making them more comfortable for sleep.

What colour room makes you sleepy?

While it's not essential to paint your bedroom a specific colour, some people find certain shades calming and better suited to sleep. Colours can influence mood, and softer tones may help create a relaxing environment that feels safe, peaceful, and restful.

Cool and neutral tones are often considered the most sleep friendly. Colours such as light blue, sage green, soft grey, silver, and muted beige can create a calm atmosphere that helps you switch off at the end of the day, making your bedroom feel cosy and comfortable.

On the other hand, bold colours such as bright red, vibrant yellow, or deep purple may increase energy and keep your mind stimulated, making it harder to relax and fall asleep. If you want to create a bedroom that helps you sleep better, softer and more neutral shades will most likely be a better choice.

About Heather Darwall-Smith

Heather Darwall-Smith is a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist specialising in sleep, and the author of The ADHD Sleep Book. Diagnosed with ADHD herself later in life, she knows first-hand what it’s like to live with a disco ball of a brain that refuses to switch off at night.

Heather Darwall-Smith