If you’re hitting the hay for the recommended eight hours a night, that means about a third of your life will be spent in the bedroom. So shouldn’t this room be a place that provides refuge and relaxation? Here’s how to ensure that it’s a haven.

Color Us Calm

Choose colors that lift your spirits and calm your nerves. The most popular bedroom hue is blue, which is associated with nature, an element that is familiar and reassuring, says Sharon Hanby-Robie, author of The Simple Home.

The Right Light

“Natural light is therapeutic, uplifting and important to a bedroom,” says Victoria Moran, author of Shelter for the Spirit. Supplement what comes through the window with multiple sources of artificial light — one overhead light is not sufficient. Control
the brightness of ceiling and bedside lighting with dimmer switches. Moran recommends installing full-spectrum lightbulbs into your bedside reading lamps for optimal illumination.

Intimate Details

For a comfy feeling, surround yourself with items you cherish, such as family photos or mementos from a favorite trip. But limit the number you showcase: Accessories can collect dust. Rotate your favorites to prevent sensory overload.

Sound Advice

“Figure out what sound makes you feel secure and relaxed,” suggests Chris Madden, author of Bedrooms: Creating the Stylish, Comfortable Room of Your Dreams. Maybe it’s a tabletop fountain, the whir of a fan, classical music on a CD player or the sound of silence. If it is music that puts you at ease, make sure your stereo is next to you or has a remote control so that you don’t need to get up from a restful state to turn it off.

Sole Searching

The floor next to your bed should be soft and warm — a plush area rug placed bedside is perfect. Wall-to-wall carpeting is insulating and soft on your heels, and it helps trap unnecessary creaks and noises. However, carpeting tends to harbor dust and allergens, so be sure to vacuum often!

Cover Up (in a Good Way)

A canopy can create an intimate retreat. “I relish mine because drawing the curtains makes me feel warm and secure,” says Madden.

Basic Bedding

Your bedroom should delight your sense of touch, so buy the best linens and bedding you can afford. You really only need two good sets.

More Than Enough

Resist the temptation to cover your bed with an ocean of pillows, throws and comforters. In her book Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House, Cheryl Mendelson points out that this is a “trend much beloved of merchandisers who wish you to buy much more bedding than you could possibly need,” and these extra items collect dust and dirt.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Keeping the bedroom clutter-free will make it a more soothing place, free of unnecessary distractions. Use storage to conceal clutter. The best storage is both decorative and functional, such as a stack of pretty hatboxes, vintage suitcases or an armoire. Bookcases are great for holding books and other objects stashed in baskets and bins. Paint them the same color as the walls so they feel like a part of the room instead of a place that attracts your attention.

Mirror on the Wall?

Keep reflective surfaces out of view because constantly catching a glimpse of yourself can agitate you — you shouldn’t be worrying about what you look like in your serene space. “Mirrors are only in my dressing area and bathroom,” says Hanby-Robie.

Petal Pusher

Research shows that fresh flowers help alleviate anxiety and worry, so keep a bouquet at your bedside. “If you can’t keep up with having fresh flowers all the time, then invest in lovely fakes instead,” says Madden.


Adapted with permission from Toshi Otsuki House Beautiful Color Workshop