Good sleep starts long before your head touches the pillow. The look, feel and layout of your bedroom all tell your body it is time to rest.
Get the bed height right
Many modern platform beds sit low, while some pillow-top mattresses on tall frames sit very high. Sit on the edge of your bed: your knees should be level with or slightly below your hips and your feet flat on the floor. For most adults that means 20 to 23 inches from floor to mattress top.
Choose calming colors
Soft, muted shades help the room feel quiet. Think warm whites, sage green, oatmeal, dusty blue and clay. Bring in texture with a linen duvet, a wool throw and an upholstered headboard that is comfortable for reading in bed.
Control the light
- Room-darkening curtains hung wide of the window block early morning light.
- Bedside lamps with warm 2700K bulbs feel gentle in the evening.
- A touch-base lamp turns on with a tap, with no small switch to find in the dark.
Plan for nighttime
Most of us get up at least once during the night. A plug-in motion night light along the path to the bathroom, a clear 36-inch walkway around the bed and a nightstand at mattress height for water and glasses make those trips safer.
Keep surfaces clear
A calm mind sleeps better in a tidy room. Give every item a home: a basket for throws, a tray on the dresser for jewelry and a small charging station outside the bedroom for phones and tablets.
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