How to Create A Safe and Relaxing Bedroom
The bedroom is a sanctuary for the mind and body. A relaxing bedroom serves as a serene space to encourage deep sleep and rejuvenation.
While the concept of relaxation varies from person to person, every peaceful oasis shares three key elements: soothing colors, thoughtful decor, and a clean, organized space. Together, these components create a calming room for winding down and escaping stress.
We’ve curated essential strategies and interior design tips to help you craft a safe space out of your bedroom.
The Science Behind Creating A Relaxing Bedroom
A good night’s sleep boosts your brain power, improves your mood, and rejuvenates health. Decorating to create a relaxing bedroom is about more than just aesthetics. With over a third of Americans getting less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep, understanding how to cultivate an optimal sleep environment is more important than ever.
Here are some key statistics and insights about sleep to keep in mind:
- An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders.
- Noise can significantly disrupt your sleep, leading to an increase in stress hormones.
- The ideal amount of sleep varies by individual and age, but generally, most adults should aim for seven to nine hours each night.
- A staggering 57% of teens who use technology in their bedrooms—like televisions and smartphones—experience sleep problems.
- People tend to sleep more soundly when their bedroom is tailored for optimal light, temperature, noise levels, and comfort.
How to Decorate a Bedroom for Calmness
Discover ways on how to create a good sleeping environment with these tips.
Tidy up your sleeping space
Make your bedroom a clutter-free zone. A tidy space minimizes distractions, allowing your mind to relax and focus on rest. It also reduces dust and allergens, improving air quality and enhancing your overall sleep experience.
A clean room fosters a sense of order and control, helping embrace a positive mindset as you wind down for the night. An organized space is the first step toward fully enjoying the benefits of restorative sleep.
Use soothing colors
For wall paint, furniture, and sheets, you should go for calming colors that cultivate a serene atmosphere. Think earth tones, pastels, and mellow yellows. You could also experiment with textures and patterns, like combining white with warm wood finishes for added depth.
Infuse your space with calming scents
There are many ways to leverage aromatherapy to create a zen bedroom. You can consider diffusing calming oils, apply diluted oils to your pulse points, or include them in your nighttime routine.
Essential oils promote relaxation with calming properties that reduce stress. Lavender, for example, had a positive effect on sleep in people with insomnia, particularly women and younger people. Other options you can go for include bergamot, chamomile, and cedarwood.
Cool down the room
Studies show that to get the best sleep environment possible, you should set the temperature somewhere between 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 18.3 degrees Celsius).
As night falls, your body starts to cool down, telling you it’s time to relax and sleep. Keeping your room cool helps speed up this process, making it easier for you to drift off. Plus, a cooler environment boosts the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which helps you get a better night’s rest.
Unplug to go device-free
Gadgets emit blue light and this light interferes with our body’s production of melatonin and disrupts our circadian rhythm. Keeping gadgets out of the bedroom prevents this from happening while keeping your mind off notifications, social media, and mobile games.
When gadgets clutter this space, it can turn into a hub of work and entertainment instead of a haven for relaxation. The constant buzz of news and social media can ramp up anxiety and stress, pulling you away from the calm you deserve.
Opt for soft, ambient light
Allowing natural light to enter the bedroom helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle. This means that it becomes easier to fall asleep at night while you wake up more refreshed in the morning.
Soft, warm light, whether natural or mimicked through lamps and bulbs, creates a warm and inviting ambiance that helps calm the mind and promotes relaxation.
You can control the light that enters your room by using sheer curtains to let in soft daylight and going for warm, dimmable lighting options for the evenings. You can also use windows, skylights, or reflective surfaces to let in more natural light.
Bring the outside in
Connect your room to nature for a more relaxing bedroom. Do this especially if you are fortunate enough to have a view of trees, mountains, or water. The soothing greens and blues of these natural landscapes can brighten your mood and provide a refreshing mental escape.
Add artistic touches
Transform your bedroom into a personal oasis by showcasing art that reflects your style. Thoughtfully selected art can help boost your mood while creating a positive, uplifting atmosphere that feels uniquely yours.
You can incorporate stunning wall art to enhance the overall decor of your bedroom. A well-placed piece can serve as a captivating focal point, harmonizing beautifully with your existing decor. Go for designs that create a tranquil ambiance conducive to sleep.
Soft abstracts with gentle colors and fluid shapes can create a soothing visual experience, while dreamy elements like night skies and twinkling stars mirror a serene environment.
Explore high-quality prints from the Bedroom Wall Art→ collection at Hive Artes.
Set up a reading nook
Creating a cozy reading nook in your bedroom can add to the relaxing feel that you are going for. Find a quiet corner, get a comfortable chair, or opt for a floor cushion, and drape a blanket over the seating area for added warmth. Decorate the nook with your favorite book and you are good to go.
A reading nook is a serene space to retreat in the bedroom and is the perfect addition if you are keeping the space gadget-free.
Embrace a cozy bedding
Your mattress, sheets, and pillows matter a lot when crafting a relaxing bedroom. Choose beddings with soft and cozy textures that promote comfort and restful sleep.
Choose breathable and gentle materials like cotton or linen and invest in a mattress that supports your sleeping style. High-quality, comfortable bedding is a sound investment that improves your overall sleep quality.
