5 Expert ways to make your bedroom an oasis of calm

Whether you go there to retire after a hectic day at work or enjoy spending your weekend snuggling in bed while watching TV or catching up on your reading, there’s no denying that we end up spending a lot of our time in the bedroom. Needless to say, our bedroom should be nothing short of a sanctuary, an oasis of tranquillity and beauty that makes the stresses of daily life ebb away as we sink in our bed and surrender to sweet slumber. A lot of factors go into making the bedroom conducive to sleep and relaxation. And if you have been suffering from sleepless nights or tiredness during the day, it may be time to give your bedroom a revamp. Here are out top 5 ideas for bedrooms that exude calm and elegance.

Keep it clutter-free

At the end of a long hard day, it may seem a lot easier to just fling those clothes on the table, sweep away the clutter on your bed and go off to sleep, postponing the task of cleaning up to the next day. However, scientific research has proved that a messy, cluttered and crammed space can also create clutter in your mind, which can in turn affect the quality of your sleep. So, before anything else, make sure that your bedroom is clean and organised. Spending a few minutes every day in putting your clothes back in the cupboard, stacking books neatly on the shelf and removing unwanted things from your bedside table can go a long way in ensuring that your mind is calm and de-stressed. If you your bedroom seems to be too cluttered with furniture, it is time to make some space by getting rid of things you don’t really need.

Blue is the warmest colour!

Proponents of colour therapy suggest that the colour blue has a relaxing effect on the mind. According to research, blue affects that part of the nervous system which operates involuntarily, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure and causing our breathing to slow down, thus helping us sleep better. So, if you’re revamping your bedroom, consider paint or wallpaper in a light shade of blue, such as powder or sky. Apart from making sure you get a good night’s sleep, it also looks aesthetically pleasing, especially when teamed with neutrals like white and beige, all three being the right colours for bedrooms. Another option to imbue your bedroom with the power of blue is to opt for bed linen, curtains and rugs in the colour.

Soft floors

Getting out of a warm and cosy bed and stepping on to a cold hard floor can be a rather unpleasant experience, especially in the winter. So cover up the floor, at least the area around your bed, with a soft rug or carpet. Rugs with a higher pile (thread count) are softer than others, so make sure you pay attention to it before you purchase one. Floor coverings with a soft texture, such as a shaggy carpet, will lend a warmer and more comforting feel to the room. For a kid’s bedroom, a carpet will also help create a soft and hygienic play area, as kids often end up playing on the floor. Depending upon the flooring, opt for a covering in a contrasting colour to create more visual interest. For instance, neutral colours pair well with wooden flooring, while dark hues work wonders when combined with white marble.

Bring the outdoors in

Feng shui suggests that having natural elements in your bedroom makes for more serene surroundings which in turn soothes your senses and helps relieve stress. Placing indoor plants in the room reduces CO2 levels in the air and also lowers the temperature, both of which are conducive to better sleep. You can also place fresh flowers on your bedside table. Not only will you sleep to sweet scents but also wake up looking at something beautiful. Another easy way to channel the outdoors in is to hang pictures of nature, such as a lush forest or a gushing waterfall, or better still, to opt for a wallpaper with a botanical print. You can also create a statement wall in the room by using a digitally printed wallpaper in a natural theme.

Soft lighting

Bright, harsh lighting not only makes a space look jarring but—as far as the bedroom is concerned—can heighten stress and adversely affect your sleep. Fluorescent lights are a complete no for the bedroom, as are bright whites and yellows. For a calm bedroom décor, opt for dim yellows or use lighting fixtures that can diffuse the amount of light coming from the source, such as sconces or lamps. Overhead lighting should be avoided, if possible. However, if you like to spend some time reading before you go to bed, make sure it is bright enough to not strain your eyes, but also not too overwhelming.