Mini Series: How to Make Your Bedroom More Relaxing During Lockdown

Our lives right now are stressful, uncertain and isolating - feelings of claustrophobia and restlessness are likely at an all-time high. An important thing to make sure of during this time is that we have a space for ourselves that feels like a retreat from it all. Your bedroom is usually the place where you spend time regenerating, refreshing and resetting. However, social-distancing means that we are spending more and more time indoors. Unfortunately, peace is often difficult to come by, even in your bedroom; therefore, our rooms can feel less like a special sanctuary. 

But there are little ways to bring the magic back to your personal space. If your goal is to create a peaceful, serene bedroom, it’s important to realise that it means more than simply the absence of sound. Peacefulness is the absence of noise - there are many sources that you might not be considering, such as clutter, unwanted light or an overwhelming colour scheme. It’s supposed to be your retreat from the world - the place where you hideaway at the end of the day to rest, relax and drink in a few moments of peace before drifting off into blissful sleep. You don't have to spend a fortune or even break a sweat renovating your bedroom. Making it a calm space is more about getting rid of things and going back to basics than it is adding and changing. Below are a few tips to help you have a relaxing, stress free bedroom.

MAKE YOUR ROOM A SLEEP-ONLY ZONE

Image Credit - Lonny

People around the world are spending as much time as possible self-isolating to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Consequently, many of our homes are becoming our workplaces, gyms, and social hubs. However, if there’s one place you really shouldn’t work from, it’s your bed. Studies have shown that if you engage in various activities in your bedroom, you will start to think of your room as a place of stress rather than one of relaxation. We know it’s tempting to stay in your pyjamas, but it's important to understand this will have a heavy effect on your mental health, work, body and sleep. 

If your bedroom is suddenly moonlighting as a home office, there are a few things you can do to signal the change in use. Ensure that you implement and keep strict boundaries; this is key in allowing you to maintain your mental health while working from home. Whether it's dragging in a table and stool to work from or installing a floating shelf as a desk - actually getting out of bed will help maintain it as your sanctuary as opposed to associating it with stress and deadlines. Of course, there are exceptions to the sleeping-only rule; reading, dressing, relaxing to music and of course, intimacy with your significant other.

CLEANING

Image Credit (left to right) - Style By Emily Henderson, Camille Styles

First and foremost, you should make sure your bedroom is clean. Sweep away that stress. No one wants to be in this situation, but we're in it, so we can make the most out of it by keeping our spaces clean - It's not just better hygienically and aesthetically speaking, but it can also be less stressful. Making your bed, putting away your clothes, vacuuming the floor, and a light dusting should make your bedroom sparkle. With a clean, fresh space, there's less to overwhelm your senses. Plus, it'll help you appreciate the things you love about your room and see it's potential again.

ORGANISATION

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest

Organisation is key to having a stress free bedroom. Clutter can be considered ‘visual’ noise. It is distracting, stressful and frustrating. Getting rid of clutter – permanently – goes a long way toward creating an atmosphere of quiet relaxation. If you take the time to make sure everything has a home, keeping your bedroom de-cluttered should be fairly simple. Take some time to go through your things and decide which items bring actual value and which do not. Hang clothing in the closet or folded in a dresser, add under the bed storage if needed, and group things like jewellery, handbags and shoes together and keep them in a designated spot. 

If you feel like stuff is popping up everywhere, then consider downsizing. Remove any unneeded furniture, excessive knick-knacks and cast-offs. Donate whatever items you don't need anymore - fewer, meaningful things make for a more calming environment. With that in mind, there are some good things to keep in your bedroom - a stack of books that you've been meaning to read, or a framed photograph of people and/or places we love. You will feel better when your space is clean and organised.

COLOUR

Image Credit (left to right) - That Scandinavian Feeling, These Four Walls

If you feel like embarking on a DIY project and repainting the entire bedroom or you just want to touch up the colour on your walls, a little freshening up can go a long way. And whatever colour you choose, you should be in love with it. As much as you may love peacock blue, tangerine or apple green - these bright, upbeat colours may do more good in your kitchen or office, where they’ll help you stay energised. At the end of a long day, overly bright colours or colour combinations with a great deal of contrast may simply serve to make you tired, distracted or cranky. 

To create a more peaceful, restful atmosphere, fill your room with soft, soothing colours, such as dove grey, light coral, pale gold, pastel pink, spa blue or pale celery green. If you are a lover of colour, fear not. You’ll be surprised at how much colour you can add into a room through accents and accessories. Stay at home and cosy up in your bedroom with the addition of a Persian or Oriental rug. A rug is the perfect homey accessory to add into your bedroom; introducing a vibrance and dimension without overwhelming the space. Check out our selection below: 

 Featured Rugs (left to right) - ALBO, ERICA, FLORRIE, LYON

BED & BEDDING

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest

Creating the ultimate cocoon for sleeping, all starts with the bed and bedding. Think of how restful and peaceful your bedroom will be once you have reclaimed it. If you aren’t in the position to upgrade your mattress, but dream of sinking into something soft, try embellishing it by adding a feather bed or egg crate. Everything on your bed should be soft and comfortable - dress it up, smooth all-cotton sheets in the highest thread-count you can afford. Soft blankets are essential too; choose one in a lightweight for warmer weather and one heavier for colder weather. The finishing touches are a few pillows in a variety of thicknesses and densities. Avoid beaded cushions, stiff coverlets that are scratchy, or metal bed frames that may poke you when you walk by. 

LIGHTING

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest

Bright, jarring light contributes to the visual noise in a room, and can even set your body clock to keep you awake long after you have turned it off. Rather than using one large, central ceiling light in your bedroom, place several smaller lamps around the room at varying heights to highlight different areas. Overhead lighting is great for certain tasks or when you're looking for something, but otherwise, ambient lighting is better. Bedside reading lamps are a must, look for lamps that have a metallic lining on the inside; they cast an especially lovely soft glow. I often see people wondering which bulbs to buy - three-way light bulbs are especially handy at allowing you to adjust the light level to set a peaceful mood. And remember, turn on only those that you need at any given time.

AROMATHERAPY

Image Credit (left to right) - Martha Stewart, Simply Grove

Help set the mood for a peaceful environment. Scientific studies have proven some scents, such as lavender and jasmine, have a calming, relaxing effect. Light a scented candle while you read, lightly spritz a bit of home fragrance onto your pillowcase, or keep luxuriously scented hand cream in your nightstand and slather some on before bed. However, do keep in mind that candles can be dangerous in a bedroom. If you happen to drift off to sleep before putting the candle out, that leaves the flame burning unattended. We recommend electric oil warmers; it saves you worrying about a flame and instead you can look forward to spending time in your bedroom. 

You can check us out on Pinterest and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest trends and rug inspo.  COVID-19 UPDATE - ONLINE SALES FULLY ACTIVE. Warehouse visits and House visits, closed. You can view one of the largest collections of Persian Rugs in London on our website and if you have any questions, you can contact us here.