6 cozy, yet functional bedroom ideas

There’s no denying that sleep is essential for our bodies to rest and recover, so have you ever thought about how your sleep space impacts the quality of sleep you're getting?

For many of us, the bedroom is purely functional. A bed, a wardrobe to keep your clothes in, maybe some bedside tables with lamps, but the truth is that we spend around one third of our lives sleeping so the environment in which we do this is incredibly important! 

We’ve got some simple steps to help you create a peaceful and calm space in which to fall asleep… and one in which you feel refreshed waking up to in the morning.  

1. Declutter and clean

Starting with a clean slate is a great way to feel energized to redesign the space. Remove any items that do not serve a purpose in the bedroom and throw out or donate anything that is no longer in use. Wipe down all surfaces, walls and deep clean the floors. 

2. Draw up a plan

Depending on the function of your bedroom, you may have to take into consideration more than just a sleep environment. If you have a work environment to take into account, or even a lounge area (we hear you studio apartment dwellers!) take some measurements and draw up a plan of where everything will go prior to moving or buying new furniture. Ensure there is enough free space, and it is as clutter free as possible.

It’s important to keep your areas somewhat separate. Be sure to place the bed away from the desk to segregate the areas, so when work stops… it stops!

3. Choose the right bed

We spend a lot of time in bed, so choosing the right bed frame and mattress is incredibly important. Your mattress should be replaced every 7 to 8 years to ensure you’re getting the right support needed for a good night’s sleep. 

You’ll know your preference on mattress softness, but adding a mattress topper will not only  prolong the life of your mattress, it will make you want to crawl into bed and drift off in an instant. 

When choosing the bed frame, consider the headboard as this will impact the overall look and feel of your room. Ask yourself -  do you want a tall headboard? Wood? Padded? But be sure to not let it overpower the bedroom. Next up is doona and pillows. Fluffy down filled doonas create the ultimate cozy environment, paired with luxurious pillows and linen sheets. We love brooklinen!  

4. Use colors and textures

Research says that the best way to create a calming environment is to use earthy tones. Think mustard yellow, forest green, terracotta and pale blue in place of vibrant colours. Your bedroom should still be a reflection of you, but try to pick a color palette and stick to it. Mix in different textures of pillows, throws, floor rugs and wall hangings to create a layered feel and added peacefulness. 

5. Lighting 

You’ve heard us say it a million times. Light is the number one external factor affecting good quality sleep (AASM, 2013). Getting the right light in the bedroom at the right time of day is critical. You can make the use of natural light during the day, paired with salt lamps, warm light LED lamps and soft fairy lights for an added layer of calm.

We suggest installing UBlockout shades, combined with soft full length sheer curtains for a cozy, yet functional space.  Raising the UBlockout shades during the day to allow the natural light to come through, but closing them when it’s time to sleep creates the perfect sleeping environment.  UBlockout shades also talk to your Google Home, or Amazon Alexa and can be programmed to come up with the sun to let in the morning rays, and go down before bed time, so your natural melatonin can kick in.

6. Plants

Finally, welcome some indoor plants into your space. Recent studies have shown that plants have the ability to reduce stress and purify the air, so it’s a no-brainer to have them within your sleep space. 

If you’re not a natural green thumb, rubber plants, devils ivy and mother in-laws tongue are easy plants to care for and bring the outdoors indoors to complete a room.

Once your cozy yet functional sleep space is set up, read our blog on sleep hygiene to gain insight into ways you could improve not only the speed at which you fall asleep but, more importantly, the overall quality of your sleep.

Happy sleeping.