The Sleep Retreat: Simple Steps to Make Your Bedroom an Oasis from the World

In today’s day of text messaging, status updates, and fast-moving television programming, sometimes we need an oasis to escape to. You don’t have to travel to the Maldives to get away from it all when a few decorating tips for your bedroom will design a serene place where you can retreat from the world.  Follow these simple steps to create a look for your room that will leave you feeling relaxed and rested!

1.       Keep it neat.  You should relax as soon as you walk into your bedroom, but you will do just the opposite if you walk into a cluttered mess with piles of clothes. Start by organizing your space. Utilize closet organizers so you will be more apt to put your clothes away in the right place the first time, especially if you prefer the chair to the drawer!

2.       Use simple decorations. Too many knick knacks, an entire family tree’s worth of photos, and walls plastered with excitable prints can keep your eyes moving around the room instead of closing. Keep your dresser and surfaces minimally decorated with a few favorite books, photos, or souvenirs.  A simple vase for fresh cut flowers can improve your mood and give off a pleasant, relaxing aroma.

3.       Remove the TV. Not only is your bedroom guaranteed to look better without that colossal appliance taking up your wall or dresser, but your mind will rest easier and over time train itself to know that your bedroom is for sleeping—and other things non-television related!

4.       Choose a tranquil color scheme. If a restful room is your top priority, go with a tranquil palette of light blues and greens. These colors promote peacefulness and relaxation and will give your bedroom that spa-like comfort to make catching those z’s a little bit easier. If you are giving your walls a fresh coat of paint, choose nontoxic or low-VOC paint for a healthier night’s sleep.

5.       Install window treatments that control light. You can choose from literally hundreds of window treatment styles, but for a better night’s sleep coordinate a black-out curtain or roller shade set in the window to block out any exterior lights. Sleeping in total darkness helps the body produce a healthy blood level of the hormone melatonin, which can improve your sleep cycle.

6.       Choose healthy, simple textiles. When it comes to your bedroom textiles, choose natural or organic fibers. Non-organic cotton sheets are often treated with a formaldehyde-based finish to prevent wrinkling, and considering you spend one-third of your life sleeping, sleep healthy! When it comes to the look of your bedding, choose patterns that are not overly contrasted with bright and dark colors. Your eyes will feel less strained if you choose a clean, simple pattern in the same soft color palette.

For a lot less than traveling to a far-away island, creating a relaxing space in your bedroom will help you get away from the day’s hustle and bustle and help you get a good night’s sleep. With a streamlined look, a little organization, and the right color palette for paint and textiles, you will look forward to falling into bed every night.