- Up to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders due to various factors, including home interior design.
- A home’s lighting, bedding, temperature, color, and clutter can significantly affect sleep quality.
- Home renovations like soundproofing, minimizing electronics, and using essential oils enhance a sleep-friendly environment.
- The choice of bedroom colors and a clutter-free, well-organized environment help create a relaxing atmosphere conducive to sleep.
- Personal preferences and needs are key in creating a sleep-quality design; experimentation is encouraged until an optimal setup is found.
Having a good night’s sleep is crucial to our overall health and well-being, not to mention our productivity throughout the day. While several factors can affect our ability to fall asleep, such as stress and diet, your home’s interior design may also play a significant role. Here’s what you need to know regarding the lack of sleep in The U.S., why your home’s interior design affects your sleep, and ways to have a sleep-quality design.
Lack of Sleep in The U.S.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, up to 70 million Americans suffer from some sleep disorder, including insomnia and other sleeping problems. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that around 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep regularly. These facts indicate that there is a real problem in the U.S. with sleep deprivation and that it needs to be addressed.
How Home Interior Design Impacts Sleep Quality
Your home’s interior design can directly impact your sleeping habits. Here are some ways that can happen:
1. The Lighting
Lighting can tremendously impact your sleep quality. If your bedroom is too bright at night, it might take longer for you to fall asleep, and you might wake up more often. On the other hand, if your bedroom is too dark and you don’t get enough sunlight during the day, it can disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it harder to wake up in the morning. To solve this problem, keep your bedroom as dark as possible at night. Invest in blackout curtains or blinds if necessary. And make sure to get plenty of natural light during the day. Open your shades or blinds and let the sunshine in.
2. The Bedding
Tour bedding can also impact your sleep quality. First, make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. If it’s too old or worn out, contact a local mattress dealer and get a new one. And while buying the cheapest sheets and blankets is tempting, investing in high-quality, breathable bedding can make a big difference in your comfort level and sleep quality. Look for soft, breathable, moisture-wicking materials like cotton, bamboo, or linen.
3. The Temperature
Your bedroom temperature is another important factor in getting a good night’s sleep. Falling and staying asleep will be harder if your room is too hot or cold. Experts recommend a temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep. To achieve this temperature, use a programmable thermostat or a fan to keep your bedroom cool in the summer, and use extra blankets or a space heater to keep it warm in the winter.
4. The Colors
Believe it or not, the colors you choose for your bedroom and the rest of your home can also impact your sleep quality. While bright, bold colors might look great during the day, they can be overstimulating at night, making it harder to relax and fall asleep. Instead, choose calming, soothing colors like blues, greens, and neutrals. These colors can help create a serene and relaxing environment conducive to sleep.
5. The Clutter
Finally, the clutter in your home can also affect your sleep quality. A disorganized, cluttered bedroom can make it hard to relax and unwind at night and find things you need in the morning. To combat clutter and improve sleep quality, keep your bedroom as organized and tidy as possible. Invest in storage solutions like under-bed storage boxes, closet organizers, and bedside tables with drawers or shelves.
Home Renovations For Better Sleep
There are also some home renovations you can make for better sleep. Here are three of those renovations:
Soundproofing
One of the best renovations you can do to improve your sleep is soundproofing. If your bedroom is too noisy due to street traffic, loud neighbors, or other sources of noise pollution, it can be hard to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Consider investing in double-paned windows and soundproofing insulation for walls and ceilings to reduce unwanted outside noise. You can also add area rugs to reduce the sound of footsteps in your bedroom.
Minimizing Electronics
Having a TV or computer in the bedroom can distract and make relaxing and falling asleep hard. To help improve sleep quality, consider minimizing electronics in the bedroom. Move TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices out of the bedroom if possible. If that’s not possible, invest in noise-canceling headphones to help muffle the sound of electronic devices.
Investing in Essential Oils
Finally, investing in essential oils can also help improve your sleep quality. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and bergamot are known for their calming and relaxing properties, which can help you relax and fall asleep more easily. Try diffusing the oils in your bedroom at night or adding a few drops to your pillow for an extra boost of relaxation.
These are just a few tips for creating a sleep-friendly interior design. Remember that everyone’s needs and preferences differ, so experiment with different strategies until you find the one that works best for you. With a little effort and creativity, you can create an interior design that will help you get a good night’s sleep every night.
