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This Is How You Turn Your Bedroom Into a Spa-Like Sanctuary
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Today, more than ever, our lives are noisy, hectic places. From the moment we open our eyes, grab our phones and check our emails, til the minute we crash back into bed at night (again, scrolling through our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds, while watching TV and compiling mental lists of to-dos), our worlds are chock full with tasks and responsibilities. Which is fine, because we’re adults and that’s life and hopefully everyone’s finding real value in their days. But we need a quiet place to retreat when that damn day is over—and more often than not, our bedrooms are the opposite of peaceful.
How does one create a serene space? Well, it’s more than just paint and furniture. It’s a mindset. You have to be willing to push out the noise—that means turning your phone and TV and computer off at a certain hour—and committing to quieting your mind in order to achieve the main goal…SLEEP! So here we’ve come up with a list of 10 easy fixes that will turn your regular ol’ bedroom into a retreat that you look forward to curling up in every evening.
1. The Linens
There’s a reason spas are usually swathed in natural colors like white, blue, tan and grey—it’s because those hues are incredibly soothing to the mind and body. And we want (nay, we need!) to channel some of that serenity in our bedrooms, and the best way to do so is via Serena & Lily’s totally gorgeous gingham collection, in the muted and oh-so-calming “fog” hue. With checks in varying sizes, the layered look of the sheet set and duvet create a relaxed vibe that is sure to get you in the mood…to, you know, sleep. Boring details: 300 thread count ensure the linens are incredibly soft on your skin and they’ll stay that way, even after hundreds of cycles in the washing machine.
Serena & Lily Gingham Duvet Cover & Sheet Set
BUY FROM: Serena & Lily, $168-$228
2. The Mattress
We spend half our lives in bed, so if there was anything you were ever going to splurge on, it should be your mattress. And if you’re in the market for one, may we recommend the Sapira, a new hybrid mattress that is part foam, part memory foam—with the addition of a luxury spring, to boot. And get this: Sapira arrives in a box. That’s right, no coordinating a huge delivery truck, no trying to carrying a gigantic mattress up flights of stairs. Beyond being a gorgeous product (So silky! So quilty!) the mattress delivers a freaking fantastic night’s sleep to anyone who appreciates a firm but plush surface. Oh, and it’s comprised of 100% American-made materials—now that’s something that can help us sleep soundly. Bonus: The company offers a 100-night trial period for consumers to test out their product and given its direct-to-consumer business model, pricing is super reasonable considering the mattress' quality.
Sapira by Leesa Mattress
3. The Throw
Every bedroom needs a luxurious throw blanket—something you can curl up with and read a book or binge watch Real Housewives under. Parachute’s number fits the bill perfectly. It’s colors, natural or grey, will bolster your already-in-motion movement to make your bedroom more calming. Woven from alpaca fibers sourced in Peru, the blanket is lightweight but super warm—just like your favorite cashmere sweater.
Parachute Alpaca Throw
BUY FROM: Parachute Home, $229
4. The Lighting Control
I call my husband the Dimmer King of Chicago because a) he’s from Chicago and b) I’ve forced him to install dimmers in every apartment, condo, townhouse and home we’ve ever inhabited together. Am I a little coo coo for mood lighting? Maybe. But here’s the thing: Dim lights make everything more palatable, and less stressful. Conversation flows more freely when that 100-watt bulb is lit at 60-percent, trust me.
I realize, however, not everyone has their own Dimmer King of Chicago in their pocket, and installing dimmers requires a bit of electricity-knowhow. So here’s a hack—Lutron’s plug in lamp dimmer allows you to plug any lamp or light source into the Lutron dimmer (which you then plug into an outlet), giving you the ability to control the amount of light coming off your nightstand or from your floor lamps. Genius! Who’s already feeling more relaxed?
Lutron Electronics Plug-In Lamp Dimmer
5. The Humidifier
Prior to having kids I knew very little about humidifiers. Then coughs and runny noses took over my world and upon many a doctor’s recommendation, I began installing these Cranes in every room. And then I thought, “I’ll buy myself one, too, because, why not?” And I promise you it changed the way I sleep.
Now I wake up more rested, breathing more clearly—Read: A whole lot less early-morning nose blowing, coughing, and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Even my skin feels softer and more moisturized after sleeping in a room that has been humidified all night long.
Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
6. The Alarm Clock
Waking up is hard to do. But waking up with a natural alarm clock a la Philips’ sunrise-stimulated one here, well, it makes the experience much more pleasant. Akin to rising with the sun—albeit at a time you’ve pre-determined—this is a very soothing way to ease yourself into the day.
Philips Wake-Up Light With Colored Sunrise Simulation
7. The Artwork
You need artwork in your bedroom for a multitude of reasons—to inspire you when you’re in a creative rut, to cheer you up when the day nearly ran you over, or to just quiet your mind on those nights when it’s running 100 miles per hour. And yes, you could choose any beautiful print to hang up on one of your four walls—or you could go with Meural, a digital frame with access to 30,000+ works of art that can be swapped out (like if you're feeling more Banksy on a Tuesday night, than, say, Van Gogh) with a swipe of your hand (or managed via the brand’s super-intuitive app).
Meural Frame
8. The Scent
Ever wonder what scents promote relaxation? Orange flower is one them, and that makes sense—just the thought of citrus-y notes drifting through my bedrooms puts me in a good mood. If you don’t already own a Jo Malone, you need to treat yourself to this one—it’s really that good and it will contribute to your happier, more peaceful evenings in bed. (Side note: Fresh air also does the body good, so make a point of opening your bedroom windows during the day to freshen up your space!)
Jo Malone Orange Blossom Scented Home Candle
9. The White Noise Machine
Remember what I said about humidifiers? Same goes for sound machines. Prior to having kids I thought people who used sound machines were, um, a little off. Now I realize they were geniuses ahead of their time. You know those nights when you just can’t quiet your damn mind? When the grocery list and the email you’ve been meaning to send to your BFF and the Whole30 diet you’re starting next week all collide in your brain and it’s just freaking noisy in there—that’s when you flip the switch on your sound machine and within a few minutes everything just goes quiet. Works on babies. Works on adults, too.
Marpac Dohm-DS All Natural Sound Machine
10. The Plant
You know what else helps refresh your bedroom? Plants, which simultaneously release oxygen and refresh the air. Other health benefits: They release water into the air (acting as a natural humidifier!) and remove toxins from the space. Who knew a little shrub could do that? I love this Gardenia Bonsai because it’s tidy year-round and smells glorious when those gardenias come to fruition.
Brussel's Bonsai Gardenia Bonsai
