I've been on a posting fever, I know but bare with me, it wont be long till I am back to my normal once a week posting, lol! I am just kidding, my blogging mood lately comes and goes and it is highly irregular so I don't know if I will post again tomorrow or after a couple of weeks.

 

I have been thinking a lot about homes and houses lately, probably driven from various changes that go on right now on our own house. Turning a small room into a craft room and remodeling our storage room for one, making changes to another room of our house - of which I will post in a couple of months when they are finished- may have turned me into a home remodeling/styling/decorating enthusiast!

 

Your bedroom should be your haven. It is a place for rest, relaxation, and winding down at the end of a busy day. Often, we try to cram too much into our bedrooms and make them multi-purpose rooms. But this approach doesn’t always work. I find that following these simple steps help create a calm and serene bedroom.



1. Aiding Sleep

When updating any room, you should be clear on the purpose. Obviously, the main activity carried out in the bedroom is sleeping. Therefore, the design should focus on this. Don’t try to make it multi-functional. If you’re living in a dorm room or a studio apartment, this could present more of a challenge. For example, your room may need to double as a study. If this is the case, then mark out clear zones. Try to split the room between activities. If you have a desk area, is it possible to use a curtain or screen to hide this when you’re going to sleep? It’s always a good idea to have a visual cut-off between day and night-time activities.





2. The Bed

The most important part of the room is going to be the bed. This will have the greatest impact on the quality of your sleep. Always invest in a good mattress. Memory foam mattresses like the Casper Mattress will provide exceptional support for your body. At the same time, it is important that air can circulate and that the mattress remains cool.

Pillows also affect comfort and sleep. Ensure you purchase the right kind for your sleep position. You will find that this will make a difference. I know I have found the solution to my neck problems as soon as I changed my pillow. It was all wrong for my sleeping habits - I only sleep on my back - and as soon as I changed it my neck hernias stopped!

Bedding is important too. In the summer months opt for natural fibers such as cotton. These fabrics will help to keep you cool. In the colder months you may want to try a warmer material such as flannelette.

 

Of course, it’s not all about function. You want your room to look inviting and aesthetically pleasing. Choose prints and patterns that work well with the decor. This is mainly down to your personal preference. However, don’t make them too busy. If your aim is to create a calm and relaxing environment, then choose gentle, soothing colors. Avoid anything too busy as this will have the opposite effect.



3. Lighting

Light is so important in the bedroom. If you like to read before falling asleep, then bedside lamps are ideal. They will provide enough illumination for you to read comfortably. And you don’t have to get out of bed to switch them off again. This is also useful for if you need to get up in the night.

For dark mornings when you’re getting dressed, you may need something a little stronger. This is where overhead or closet lights can be useful.

Another consideration is ensuring light can be eliminated when you go to sleep. Too much light entering the room can make it difficult to drift off. Curtains or blackout blinds will ensure the room is dark enough and aid a good night’s sleep.

 There are lots of little touches you can add to a room to personalize it. An extra crochet throw in the winter, a few scatter cushions, etc. But if you cover the basics you will have a room that is calm, soothing and conducive to sleep.

 How about you? Do you prefer having anything special in your bedroom?