How Color Can Affect Your Sleep
Rooms have many functions – from a place of rest to a social gathering space – and they are often designed with those purposes in mind. However, the term “room” can be confusing for guests, who may not know how to distinguish a hotel room from a conference room or a specialized room like a sick room.
When it comes to decorating a bedroom, color can have a huge impact on sleep quality and mood. Warm colors such as red, orange and yellow can have a stimulating effect, while cool tones like blue and green can help you relax and wind down.
According to Suzy Chiazzari, a color therapy and holistic interior design consultant, it’s important to use colors that encourage rest instead of stress. Pastel and muted shades are best, as brighter hues can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which will disrupt your sleep.
It’s also important to keep your bedroom dark when you sleep, as this helps the brain wind down. Adding light sources or curtains can help you achieve this goal, but keep in mind that the more natural lighting you have, the better it is for your sleep.
You can even paint your walls a soothing shade of blue, which has been shown to promote sleep by helping you drift off more easily. A study published by Travelodge found that people who slept in blue rooms woke up feeling more refreshed than those who stayed in a darker color.
Whether your room is a small cozy guest room, or a large master suite with an en-suite bathroom, your bed and bedding should be a focal point of the room. Make sure it’s comfortable, with a high-quality mattress and pillows that fit your body.
The materials used to make your bed, including the headboard and frame, should be a good match for the room’s overall style. For example, a wood bed frame can add warmth to a modern room, while a metal bed frame can create a more traditional feel. You can also choose different fabrics to coordinate with your bedding, including cotton and linen.
A good night’s sleep starts with a clean, fresh and decluttered room. This means putting things away in their proper places, keeping clutter under control and cleaning up regularly.
Your room should be the place where you feel most at home. The furniture and decor should feel comfortable and inviting to you, and it should be easy to maintain.
If you have a lot of personal belongings in your bedroom, it’s a good idea to label each item to make it easier to locate. If possible, create a space for all your belongings that is separate from the sleeping area.
Placing the bed against an interior wall, facing away from doors and windows is helpful for limiting interference with natural light. It also allows you to open your window to let in some fresh air during the day.
Another great feature of a tatami mat is that it’s soft and quieting underfoot, so your feet don’t hit cold floors immediately after you wake up.
