Your bedroom should be a sanctuary. Think inviting, neutral (or bold and patterned if that’s your taste), comfortable, and clear from any messes, work-related or other. Avoid bringing your phone or computer into bed at night or stacking up loads of laundry on your bedside table. Your bedroom is primarily for sleeping, so leave the yoga mat, guitar, thought-provoking art, pet supplies, or distracting tech for other rooms.
While these may seem like simple tips, seven interior designers have shared their top advice for crafting a bedroom you’ll not only love but be able to enjoy sweet slumber in.
Clothing Clutter and Gym Equipment
This soothing neutral bedroom from Le Jean Designs hits the mark. As designer Jean Parker notes, avoid piling surfaces or accent chairs with clothing. “A bedroom should be serene, tranquil, and a place where you can truly recharge and reset,” says designer Jean Parker. “Your bedroom is not a gym so I would refrain from storing any exercise equipment there.”
Office Equipment
There are certain things that just don’t belong in bedrooms like printers, shredders, or office equipment. Designer Amity Worrel even cautions against desks, unless it’s a simple writing desk that doesn’t remind you of work, a keyboard or other music instruments, or bright lighting.
“When creating a space that is supposed to be a relaxing and an escape from the demands of work and effort and tasks, it is important consider carefully what to keep and what to cut,” she says.
Utilitarian Blinds
Everyone has had blinds at one point or another, but it’s time to throw them in the trash.
“Those dreary, utilitarian floor-to-ceiling slat blinds we’ve all undoubtedly encountered in rental apartments have no place in the bedroom,” say Lily Spindle co-founders and principal designers Rebecca Cox and Debra Vigna. “Toss them and go for custom drapery instead.”
Cox and Vigna recommend patterned, custom drapery to add warmth to a bedroom.
Visual Clutter
Bedrooms should feel calming and relaxing, so designer Emma Montgomery prefers to remove as much visual clutter as possible. Instead of hanging a grouping of prints on the walls, she opted for focusing her attention on the walls themselves.
“I designed this bedroom to feel cocoon-like and peaceful with beautiful terracotta colored plaster walls. The walls have a soothing texture and eliminate the need for art,” she says.
Simple furnishings, a small piece of art, and monotone bedding continues the restful look.
Too Much Shelving
“I’m not a fan of excess open shelving in a bedroom. This can lead to unwanted clutter,” says California designer Abbie Naber. “If you have open shelving, try and keep items to a minimal amount and in the decorative vein. Here, open shelving is used for display only, not everyday items.”
Pick a few things that make you smile like decorative vessels to put on your shelves, like this Japandi-style bedroom which instantly sets the tone for a good night’s sleep.
Phones and TVs
Atlanta-based interior designer Laura W Jenkins likes to keep bedrooms as tech-free, mess-free and calming as possible.
“With all the distractions in the world today, your bedroom should be a decompression zone and therefore a tech-free zone,” she says. “While you may need to keep your phone bedside, if possible, remove your television, put your charging in another room, and clean up the tech mess. Allow your brain to unwind, add books, family photos, and items that bring you comfort rather than stress.”
Jenkins also suggests quiet colors. “The purpose of your bedroom should be to promote good sleep and allow you to unwind from the day. For me, softer, less bright colors are more calming for a bedroom. For this room, we painted this bedroom the perfect deep blush which is incredibly soothing,” she says.
Computers
Silo Studios’ Gabriela Eisenhart thinks the bedroom should feel like a getaway.
“We believe in designing clean retreats when it comes to bedrooms,” she says. “It’s important when you walk into your room you feel like you can leave the stresses of the days at the door. Our hard nos for a bedroom include computers, clutter, and your Peloton!”
This article highlights seven items that shouldn’t be kept in the bedroom, offering valuable insights into creating a more restful and relaxing sleep environment. I appreciate the emphasis on removing electronic devices, work-related items, and clutter, which can disrupt sleep quality and increase stress levels. The suggestions provided for alternative storage solutions outside the bedroom help promote better sleep hygiene and a more peaceful atmosphere.
Thank you for the helpful reminders on items to avoid keeping in the bedroom! The article’s emphasis on minimizing distractions and creating a calming sleep environment is essential for promoting restful sleep. I appreciate the suggestions for relocating exercise equipment, laundry, and excess furniture to other areas of the home to maintain a clutter-free bedroom space conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation.
This article sheds light on items that may disrupt the serene atmosphere of the bedroom, promoting better sleep and relaxation. From electronic devices to clutter-inducing items, each suggestion resonates with the idea of creating a peaceful sanctuary for rest. Implementing these tips can help declutter the bedroom and foster a more tranquil environment conducive to restful sleep.
I appreciate the practical advice offered in this article about what not to keep in the bedroom. By highlighting items like electronics, work-related materials, and excess clutter, the author emphasizes the importance of creating a sleep-friendly environment. Implementing these suggestions can help promote better sleep hygiene and enhance overall well-being by fostering a sense of calm and relaxation in the bedroom.
This article serves as a helpful guide for optimizing the bedroom environment for improved sleep quality and relaxation. By identifying items that may disrupt sleep patterns or contribute to stress, readers gain valuable insights into creating a more conducive sleep space. From minimizing screen time to decluttering personal belongings, the suggestions offered here empower readers to cultivate a tranquil bedroom retreat that promotes restful sleep and rejuvenation.