Sleep affects every aspect of your life—from your health to your productivity to your mood. But it’s not just about getting enough sleep, it’s also about the quality of the sleep. In today’s blog, the mattress experts at Star Furniture discuss how to set up your bedroom for better sleep. 

Put Sleep First

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When it comes to designing your bedroom, you’ll want to put sleep first. In fact, you should consider removing anything that doesn’t contribute to restful sleep. While some people use their bedroom as a makeshift home office, for example, doing so can cause distractions when you’re laying down to rest. So can exercise equipment, televisions, craft stations, and unfolded laundry. If you want to optimize your sleep, start by optimizing your bedroom and removing any distractions and stressors.

Find the Right Mattress

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(Pictured Above: Sealy Hybrid Silver Chill Firm Mattress) 

If you want to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, the first thing you’ll want to do is find the right mattress for your sleep style. If you sleep with a partner who tosses, turns, or kicks in their sleep, for example, you might consider a king-size memory foam mattress. That way, both you and your partner have more space and the motion isolation of the memory foam means you likely won’t feel it every time your partner moves throughout the night. 

You’ll also want to consider the different types and firmness levels of potential mattresses. A plush memory foam mattress will provide different benefits than a firm innerspring mattress, so it’s important to take the time to consider factors like whether you’re a back-sleeper or a side-sleeper when deciding on a mattress.  

From there, you can move onto your bed’s base. Adjustable base beds, for example, can help prevent snoring and symptoms of acid reflux, alleviate back and joint pain, improve blood circulation, and help prevent falls for people with mobility issues. Because mattress technology has improved so much in the past decade, a new mattress from Star Furniture could be just what you need to get a better night’s sleep. 

Clear the Clutter

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(Pictured Above: Modern-Charcoal Wilshire Dresser) 

Many people find clutter to be stressful, and since stress can lead to sleep problems, it’s best to keep your bedroom tidy. One of the best ways to control clutter involves using the right storage furniture. Choosing the right dressers, nightstands, and armoires will make it easier for you to keep your room clutter-free because you can easily make it so every item has a designated storage place. In addition to larger pieces of storage furniture, you can also use trays, baskets, and bowls to contain smaller items that you use every day. A jewelry tray on top of your dresser, for example, gives you some place to put your wedding ring and other daily wear items so that they’re not spread all over your nightstand. 

Pick the Right Bedding

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(Pictured Above: Addison White Duvet Set)

If you’re wondering how to set up your bedroom for better sleep without breaking the bank, bedding is a good place to start. The first thing you’ll want to consider are the sheets. Especially if you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll want to consider moisture-wicking sheets. While cotton and bamboo sheets are both naturally moisture-wicking, there are also Dri-Tec performance sheets that feature a ventilating weave for better airflow. 

When it comes to blankets, comforters, and duvets, you’ll want to consider the season. One good trick is to layer your bedding so that you can adjust your own temperature throughout the night. Once you have the right bedding, be sure to make your bed every day. Not only can it make you feel happier, but it can also help the bed feel more comfortable. 

Upgrade Your Pillow

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(Pictured Above: Tempur-Adapt Pro Cloud Cooling Pillow - Available In-Store) 

Many experts suggest replacing your pillow every two years. However, most people tend to keep the same pillow for much longer. If you’re wondering how to set up your bedroom for better sleep, it might be time to upgrade your pillow. Luckily for you, there are many comfortable pillows for sale at Star Furniture. 

When choosing a pillow, start by considering the material. Memory foam, for example, can be great for people who suffer from neck pain because of the extra support. Down pillows, on the other hand, may be a better option for people who prioritize softness. You’ll also want to consider the thickness of your pillow. If you’re a stomach sleeper, for example, you might prefer a soft, thin pillow, while side sleepers may prefer a thick, firm pillow. Don’t be afraid to test out different materials and styles until you find the one that works best for you. 

Keep it Quiet

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(Pictured Above: Silhouette Upholstered Bed) 

Noise can also prevent people from getting a good night’s sleep. That’s why noise reduction is one of our favorite tips for better sleep. To reduce noise in your bedroom, start with a rug. Not only can rugs help reduce echoes and other noises, but they also make your bedroom feel cozy. 

If you’re looking for bedroom rug placement ideas, one of the most common placements involves having roughly ¾ of the rug under the bed. With this placement, you’ll want the rug to be big enough that each person steps onto the rug when getting out of bed, which can help muffle footsteps if one person gets up earlier than the other. Upholstered beds can also be good for noise reduction. Plus, they’re one of the hottest interior design trends of 2021. 

In addition to adding rugs and upholstered beds, you can also use fans and other noise machines to help with unwanted noise. Ceiling fans work great for noise control and they can also help keep you cool overnight. While they have white noise machines to mimic these sounds, you can also create your own white noise with air filters, fans, air conditioners, and other machines. If you find certain other sounds relaxing, sleep sound machines could help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. You might find the sound of rain, the sound of crashing waves, or the sounds of birds chirping a great way to block out other noise and lull you to sleep.  

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark 

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Many people underestimate how much light affects our sleep cycle. That’s why if you want to set up your bedroom for better sleep, you can’t be afraid of the dark. Blackout blinds and curtains, for example, can be especially helpful for people who find that they wake up at first light. In fact, even the light from your neighbor’s house or the full moon shining through the window can affect the length and soundness of your sleep. 

But sleeping isn’t just about the dark. In fact, having a reading lamp on your respective nightstands can make a difference. Rather than having to leave the overhead lighting on to accommodate the partner that likes to stay up reading, they can use a small lamp on their own nightstand so it’s not as bright for their partner. Sleeping masks can also be great for when one person has different lighting needs than the other. Blocking out excess light and sound is one of the best tips for better sleep, so make sure you do everything in your power to make things as dark and quiet as you need to sleep soundly. 

Reduce Allergens

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(Pictured Above: Sleep Tite Terry Mattress Protector) 

When it comes to tips to help you sleep better, reducing allergens in your bedroom can go a long way to helping you get a better night’s sleep. One easy way to reduce allergens is to use a hypoallergenic mattress protector. This item covers your mattress, protecting it from sweat, dust, and other microbes that lead to mold and fungi. Some mattresses and pillows are also made from hypoallergenic materials for further protection. Even washing your bedsheets more frequently and showering before bed can make a big difference in your allergy symptoms.

Another way to reduce allergens is to use an air purifier in your room. These devices eliminate particles like pollen, dander, smoke, and dust mites, which can reduce your allergy symptoms. Plus, they tend to create a white noise sound that can help people sleep. Humidity levels also play a role, so if you live in a dry climate, you should consider a dehumidifier and if you live in a wet climate, you should consider a humidifier. 

While many people like to sleep with their pets in their bedroom, doing so can lead to pet dander, one of the most common allergens. If your animal does sleep with you in bed, you may want to consider increasing the frequency with which you wash your sheets. You might also want to use heavy-duty mattress and pillow protectors to keep these allergens from infiltrating.  

Try Calming Colors 

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Wondering how to set up your bedroom for better sleep using your bedroom color palette? Try calming colors. Light blue walls, for example, set a restful, peaceful tone that can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Greens can also work well since they call to mind nature, which has a soothing effect on many people. Just look at the biophilic design trend! Cool neutrals like gray and silver, can also help you wind down for sleep. Just think about how easy it is to stay in bed when the sky is pale and gray. Regardless of what color you choose for your bedroom, you’ll want to make sure to consider how it will affect your sleep. Bright, vibrant walls, for example, might catch too much light and make it harder to stay asleep once the sun is up, even though they might look stylish! 

In addition to the colors, you’ll want to consider the shine of the paint. When painting your bedroom, you’d be better off choosing flat or matte colors, rather than anything with a glossy shine. Glossy paint tends to catch and reflect light, which can negatively impact your sleep cycle, especially during the summer when the sun rises before you do. 

Ditch the Electronics

Studies have shown that the blue light that shines out from our electronics can have a negative effect on our sleep. If you want better sleep, try not to use your phone, tablet, or computer in the hour before you go to sleep. If you’re extra tempted to look at your phone, you might even consider storing all of your electronics outside of your bedroom to remove the temptation entirely. Even watching television before sleep can cause problems for some people, so consider making your bedroom a completely electronic-free zone. 

Now that you know how to set up your bedroom for better sleep, it’s time to visit a Star Furniture near you to shop our huge selection of mattresses and bedroom furniture. In the meantime, check out our home inspiration blog where we cover everything from how often should you replace your mattress to how Star Furniture completely revolutionized the mattress buying experience.