HOW COMFORTABLE IS YOUR BEDROOM?
By Mary Cusack, ASID
We are bombarded with ads on sleeping aids, new mattresses and lots of advice on ways to help us get a good night’s sleep. Adding to this list is an important aspect that we may not have given much thought.
Is the atmosphere where you sleep conducive to relaxation and sleep? Take a look! What do you see? Is the computer work station in the bedroom? Do you keep the mail in this area? How about exercise machines? What are the subjects of the wall art? What about clutter? Is your bedroom the catchall for extra boxes, stacks of picture albums, or that extra large piece of furniture that doesn’t fit anywhere else? Bedrooms are becoming larger - so there is all this extra space to put stuff. I know what you are thinking! These things are important. They have so much meaning. Yes, but they are also stimulating. It impairs the mind from relaxing.
To see what kind of bedroom you REALLY live in, keep an open mind and have a critical eye. It is difficult to be objective, but this will make it easier to truly see what surrounds you at bed time. If it isn’t working, you may want to get outside help – someone who can be objective and who knows space planning.
Now let’s start. I recommend removing almost everything from the room and starting from scratch. This may be a good time to repaint. What color should be selected? It can be light, medium or dark. The key is to select a relaxing shade. I prefer medium to medium dark shades. There is no exact formula as so many factors (such as lighting and personality) enter into the decision making process.
Find a more appropriate room for the computer. Can the exercise equipment be placed in the sunroom? The wall art should have non violent subjects - something that promotes peace and quiet. Paintings with bold shapes and lots of points can make one restless. Only install furniture that has a basic bedroom function. Also a sitting area is very pleasant as it is another place for relaxation and unwinding. What about a bench to remove shoes? This is a wonderful multifunctional piece as it provides extra sitting and a place to lay out ones clothing when dressing.
Large night tables are very nice. Space on either side of the night tables generally is wasted. For extra storage, place short three drawer chests on each side. They may be a little higher than the bed but generally are not higher than the pillow.
Yes, if a television is the way you relax, it should also have its space. There is much discussion about whether or not to have a television in the sleeping area. My goal generally is to place it where it is inconspicuous. In other words, so that it is not the main focus in the room. With flat screens and all sorts of cabinets, televisions no longer need to control a space.
Two very important factors have yet to be mentioned - lighting and window coverings. These go together. Draperies can create a soft ambience and also easily control light flow. Beautiful shades that control the amount of light that filters into the room is another good option. There are many, many choices for window coverings. When deciding on window treatment, think about privacy and the amount of light you want to wake up to. Also it is said that we sleep better in darkness. Remember to control glare and extra bright lights. Wall mounted reading lamps with dimmers on each side of the bed are practical as they can be adjusted for reading and also used for indirect lighting.
Have a restful night’s sleep!