How your home can improve the quality of your sleep

Getting better sleep starts long before you put your head down on your pillow. Setting up the right routines to support your circadian rhythm can have a big impact on your sleep - and your home can help you achieve this. There are many factors that go into creating a home that enhances the quality of your sleep, and these include:

Natural light - design your spaces to let in plenty of natural light during the day, and make sure to open the blinds first thing in the morning. To make this more effortless, you may want to add mortised blinds and curtains so that you only need to touch one button to open them up. Your body relies on morning light to regulate your circadian rhythm - so if you can't get out first thing, try to soak in the natural light that comes in through your windows.

Soft light in the evening - Layer the lights in the main spaces that you spend your evenings in. Whilst you want bright overhead lights for tasks and cleaning, you want to make sure these are off at night to help signal your body that it's time to wind down. Instead, we recommend adding soft wall lights, table and floor lamps throughout these spaces to use in the evening. Warm white globes are also best for winding down and getting ready for bed.

Block out curtains - Your bedroom should be able to achieve complete darkness for sleeping. If you have blinds, you may find that streetlights may leak through the edges. Instead we recommend investing in block out curtains that will completely block out all light. The larger the better - if you can go floor to ceiling and wall to wall, this will not only block out all light but will also add a beautiful texture and softness to your bedroom's interior.

Soft materials for noise control - Another benefit of large block out curtains is that the soft material will help to absorb noise for more peaceful sleep. We also recommend having carpet or rugs on the floor, double glazed windows, and fully insulated walls to help cut down noise during sleep.

Spaces for relaxation - Your last hour before sleep should be spent in a relaxing space doing an activity that promotes sleep. We recommend moving away from the busyness and clutter of the main living areas, and using the bedroom (or another dedicated room) for this. Use soothing tones to like blues, greens and warm neutral, and cosy materials like linen, wool and timber. We love creating an immersive experience and going all out with these calming tones - on all walls and maybe even on the ceiling as well! Rather than being on your phone or laptop, opt for a more relaxing activity like reading or meditating. Avoid using your bedroom for work or watching TV. Having a calm night-time routine will help train your brain for rest.

Temperature control - A bedroom temperature of 16-19°C is considered optimal for good rest. Investing in smart thermostats that can automatically adjust temperatures overnight, will help to keep you comfortable and better rested. Using natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen for bedding also help to regulate body temperature better than synthetics.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog post. Have a wonderful week!

Nina xx