How to decorate for a good night’s sleep

Published: October 15, 2008

We spend more time in our bedrooms than most rooms in our homes. Our busy lives can sometimes transform the bedroom from its main function — rest — into a makeshift office, entertainment center or even a play area for the kids. How do we create a room where rest and sleep are a priority?

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Enhance the quality of your sleep with a few adjustments to the room you sleep in. First, designate your bedroom as a haven devoted to relaxation — the one room where work and clutter are banned.

Next, remember that less is more when decorating. You really don’t need much more than the bed, a bedside table and a lamp.

Try to create a look that is spare, but not necessarily bare. Stripping it down to the essential elements is conducive to sleep, but to make sure the room does not look sterile and soulless.

One trick that high-end interior designers use to create a relaxing oasis is upholstering the walls in sumptuous textured fabrics like silk and linen. Some more elaborate wall treatments may include padded and button-tufted fabric walls or stretching a tapestry, wall hanging or drapery across the length of the wall behind the bed.

“You want a bedroom to be restful. Any time you use a texture — grasscloth, faux papers that mimic moire silk, or an exotic animal skin wallpaper — you’re creating warmth,” says John Loecke, a New York-based interior designer. “On its own, paint can’t do that; it can come off as a little cold. Wallpaper ensures a cozy feeling.”

By simplifying the furniture, reducing the clutter and decorating the walls with your favorite wallpaper design, you’ll soon find your bedroom is your new favorite room because you’ll get such a great night’s rest.

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