How To Turn Your Master Bedroom Into A Restful Retreat

Posted February 23, 2016 by PK

SHOP THIS LOOK:
bed | nightstand | bench

Life can be crazy busy. Many days hectic schedules keep us going in high gear until late into the evening. Even once we’re home, the house is active with meals, chores and activities.

That’s why we all need a dedicated space that we can count on to wind down and relax. Enter – the master bedroom.

Here are some ideas for making it, and keeping it, a restful retreat:

Soothing Color Palette.

Do you think color affects your ability to sleep (especially since your eyes are closed)?

Travelodge does. According to a study they conducted involving 2,000 homes in the U.K., those who slept in blue bedrooms got the best night’s sleep (possibly because the color is associated with a feeling of calmness and reduced blood pressure/heart rate).

The other winning colors were certain shades of yellow, green, silver and orange.

Southampton Bedroom

Whether or not you believe the study, we can all agree that color does have the ability to completely set the tone of a space, and that some colors feel more restful and calming than others. Choose the ones that work for you.

If you’re not sure, neutrals are a great option – you won’t tire of them and you’ll always be able to swap accent colors in and out.

A Place to Sit.

Whatever your space situation, try to sneak in a place to sit – whether it’s a cozy corner with a big chair and ottoman, two chairs in a bay window, or something as simple as a bench at the foot of the bed.

Ravenwood Dresser

Make it Comfortable.

Mattress. Since the majority of your time in your master bedroom will be spent sleeping, it’s really important to have a mattress that helps you to get a good night’s rest. (If you’re in need of a new one, this post has good tips on how to make sure you find the best one for your needs.)

Sheets. Have you ever had sheets that you’ve used until they were embarrassingly “worn in”, but you just couldn’t bear to part with them because they were so comfortable? Those are the kind of sheets you need in your retreat.

Southern Living has a some tips for buying sheets here.

Sherborne Queen Panel Bed

Layers. Layering the bedding will not only make it more comfortable and versatile for varying temps, but it also makes your bed look and feel more cozy and inviting.

Clear the Clutter.

Organized spaces are usually calmer spaces, so making an effort to keep your retreat clutter-free will go a long way in making it feel restful as well.

Make full use of closets, dressers, chests, and decorative items – like baskets and jewelry boxes – to create a system of organization that will help you consistently declutter.

No Distractions.

This is a tough one, isn’t it? We’re pretty connected to our electronics so even if there isn’t a TV in the bedroom, we can be pretty sure there’s a phone, laptop or tablet close at hand. Or what about the kids’ homework, or that basket of laundry that needs to be folded, or…?

Kateri Bedroom

As hard as it is to break the electronics habit, we would be smart to try since the Sleep Foundation states that there is significant scientific data highlighting how their use in the bedroom further disrupts the natural pattern of the sleep-wake cycle.

And the other stuff? Make a habit of addressing it somewhere else in the house so that it never makes it to the master bedroom.

Make the Bed.

We first mentioned this in our post “5 Reasons Why You Should Make the Bed“, but it takes virtually no time in the morning, and a made bed is so much more welcoming to come home to at the end of a long day.

Decorate.

Sometimes we go as far as getting the furniture in place and some nice bedding on the bed, but then we just never really get around to finishing the space.

It’s amazing how simple things like a rug, art work, and a few accessories can completely finish off a room and make it feel so much more welcoming.

A space that we’ll actually look forward to retreating to!