Creating a conducive environment for rest in the bedroom is the most important thing you need to accomplish if you suffer from insomnia or have difficulty getting into a state of rest. Here are seven ways you can transform your bedroom into the ultimate space for sleep.

1) Use warm lights

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary for resting. Soft, warm lights, as opposed to bright, white lights, create a cosy ambience that helps you relax, and prepare your body for sleeping. If you tend to work or read in your room, get a task light that fulfils that purpose while keeping the main lights in your bedroom at a comfortable colour temperature, or choose a dimmable light that can go both ways.

What to buy:
Plumen 002 Dimmable Light Bulb, $58 each from Naiise

Image: Plumen

2) Scent your space

Scents are often a forgotten element in a space, but they are important in inspiring certain moods and feelings. Common fragrances that help you unwind and relax include: lavender, chamomile, bergamot and lemon. It’s important to find a scent you like, however. There are a number of ways to include scents in your home. Buy scented candles or use a room diffuser or if you want to go the DIY route – use a mix of essential oils and water to create your very own room mist/spray.

What to buy:
Royal Doulton French Lavender Reeds Diffuser, $84.15 from Tangs
Tranquility Pillow Mist, $64 from BsaB
A Warm Embrace Candle, $50 from To Be Calm

Image: BsaB

3) Keep your workstation separate

Because homes in Singapore are often so small, it’s inevitable that many of our work stations/study areas are within our bedrooms. In order to ensure that your bedroom functions as a place for rest and relaxation, make sure to keep your working zone separate from your sleeping area. Don’t use your bed for sorting out bills or documents, and keep from using your laptop on the bed!

Image: Pixabay

4) Add soft textures

If you think soft furnishings are just there as accent décor pieces, think again. Furnishings like cushions, throws and rugs add comfort and balance out hard surfaces such as your wood flooring or sharp edges from desks and wardrobes. They can also help to absorb noise to create a quieter preserve for sleeping. If cushions take up too much room on the bed, you can leave them on your armchair or by the bay window.

What to buy:

Fringes Cushion, $95 from BoConcept

Linentales Ashes of Rose Pillowcase, $25 from Stylodeco

Ofelia Blanket, $29.90 from Ikea

Image: Ikea

5) Include plants

Plants add tranquility to any space, so they are great for bedrooms. Choose easy to care for indoor plants or scented blossoms such as gardenia and jasmine, which are known to help you sleep. There are also aromatic herbs that can purify the air such as rosemary and mint. Most plants need sunlight, so keep them near your windows.

What to buy:
Super Farmers Self Watering Pot, $39 from Naiise
Indoor Herb Self-Watering Kit, $21.90 from Nong

Image: Pixabay

6) Go with heavy drapes

Heavy drapes help to block out the street lights and the traffic noise. If you are not a fan of curtains and prefer a sleek, minimalist look, there are noise-cancelling blinds and shades as well.

What to buy:
Dim Out curtains from The Curtain Boutique

Image: The Curtain Boutique

7) Use a gentle colour scheme

Never underestimate the power of a colour palette. Subtle, restful colours encourage rest and create an environment to unwind. So go for soothing hues like pastels and earth tones in your bedroom. If you have a vivacious personality and think that’s too boring for you, you can still use a gentle overall colour scheme while going for bright pops of colours throughout your bedroom in your furnishings.

Image: Pixabay