People
always say the kitchen is the best room in a house, but we’re all about the
bedroom. You sleep in there – and sleep rules. What’s not to like? It’s the place you go to turn off your brain and
truly relax. So make it great. Here are nine things to keep out of
your sleep space so you can wake up happier and healthier than ever.
1. Carpeting
If you
wake up with a sore throat, itchy eyes or a runny nose, chances are you’re
allergic to something in your bedroom (duh), and one common culprit is dust
mites. Dust mites live in soft materials like carpets, so to keep the critters
at bay and trade your carpet for an area rug. Less carpet means fewer allergens
and fewer congested mornings. (A Pillow Protector will also help!)
2. Really Bright Colors
We all
love the bold, brightly colored bedrooms we see on Pinterest, but they’re not
practical if you are remotely insomnia-prone. Bright colors are activating, so
sleep-inducing blue or calming earth tones are better options. But don’t worry;
just because your color palette is beige doesn’t mean your design has to be.
You can accessorize with pops of color to highlight your sparkling personality.
3. Light Filtering
Curtains
We all love
gauzy, white curtains that flutter with a breeze…but they belong in the living
room. In the bedroom, darkness is key, meaning – sorry –
thicker curtains. Light pollution from LED street lights
and nearby homes can upset your circadian rhythm and adversely affect your
health. So try blackout curtains; you can pretend you’re at a hotel every night!
4. Snarky Art
Keep your
snarky art in the living room so all of your friends know how clever you are,
but let your bedroom be an irony-free zone. Make it a haven of good vibes –
heck, you can even get a sign that SAYS good vibes! This is your space to get
calm and happy as you start – and end – your day. Make it joyful.
5. Smartphones
Your phone
is screwing up your relationship, according to 1 billion articles we’ve all
read (and ignored), with titles like Is Your Phone Killing Your Sex Life ? and How Your Smartphone is Ruining Your
Relationship. We know you’re not going to chuck your iPhone, but
why not at least make your bedroom a no-phone-zone and read a book instead. Available wherever books are sold.
6. A Poorly Positioned Bed
If you
have ever dabbled in feng shui, you probably know that you are supposed
to be able to see your door from your bed. But did you know that you
are also supposed to make sure your feet are not directly in line with the
door? In Chinese tradition, the dead are carried out the door feet first, so
that alignment is called coffin position. Reposition accordingly!
7. Pets
You knew
we were coming for Fido, didn’t you? Sorry, but it’s true; if you snore at
night and you don’t know why, your furry friend may be to blame. A
whopping 15% of people are allergic to dogs
and cats, whether or not we care to admit it. If evicting your pup from the bedroom
is a non-starter, at least get an air purifier to mitigate the damage.
8. Tiny Doodads
You’ve
probably accepted by now that clutter makes people unhappy, but what actually
constitutes clutter? Well, according to the cantaloupe rule, any decorative items that
are smaller than a cantaloupe. So for a room that feels simple and serene, swap
that collection of tiny shells for a larger, more dramatic piece, like a wall tapestry by Lauren Williams. Or a cantaloupe.
9. Television
We all
know that screens emit blue light that screws with melatonin production and
thus, sleep. But sometimes you just need to watch TV in bed –
especially if you’re recovering from the flu (or a breakup). So we propose a
compromise: Lose the bedroom TV, but invest in a portable projector for those times you’ve
just got to veg out hard.
Source: Alyssia Moore