By Juna Xu Interiors 14.04.2026

9 Simple Ways to Turn Your Bedroom Into a Sleep Sanctuary

You need to take light, colour, temperature, and comfort into account.

Your bedroom might double as a dumping ground for your clothes or second office, but did you know your environment has a huge impact on your quality of sleep? In fact, various studies have shown people simply sleep better when all aspects of their bedroom have been carefully optimised with light, colour, temperature and comfort in mind.

Moreover, as one recent study has pointed out, sleep insufficiency is significantly associated with lower life expectancy, giving you a good reason to reconsider your bedroom’s setup.

Creating the perfect environment for optimal sleep doesn’t need to break the bank, either. Here are nine affordable and effective ways you can create the perfect space for soothing and restorative rest, night after night.

1. Find the perfect mattress

Given the average person spends around 26 years sleeping throughout their life (and seven years trying to get to sleep), it’s a good reminder that you should probably invest in a high-quality mattress.

Depending on your sleep preferences, you may enjoy the support of latex, the body contour feature of memory foam or the bouncy feel of coils. It’s important to note that sleeping on the wrong mattress can also cause or worsen lower back pain, and reinforces poor sleeping posture.

2. Invest in high-quality bedding

Just like a mattress, the sheets you sleep in are of utmost importance, so you want to prioritise quality bedding that is practical, beautiful and affordable to promote a good night’s sleep.

Our Bed Threads linen sheets are composed of 100% French flax – a natural fibre well known to have a myriad of benefits. Not only is it temperature-regulating (meaning it’s breathable in the summer and provides added warmth in the winter), but it also requires minimal effort to care for and style, it feels buttery-soft, it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin, and they’ll last you years. We’ve rounded up all the benefits of sleeping in 100% flax linen here.

Prefer a crisper bedding feel? Our 100% organic cotton range is similarly low maintenance, while still keeping you fresh, well rested (and you can rest easy knowing it’s GOTS-certified).

3. Try essential oils

Scent can play a subtle but powerful role in signalling to the body that it’s time to wind down, and essential oils have long been applauded as a natural alternative to sleep medications (and their associated side effects). They've been proven to relieve feelings of anxiety and stress while also lowering blood pressure.

Ingredients such as lavender, chamomile and frankincense are commonly associated with calming properties and are often used as part of evening routines to help create a more restful atmosphere. A 2023 study exploring lavender’s potential therapeutic properties found it may support improved sleep experiences for some individuals experiencing restlessness.

Magnesium is also frequently incorporated into nighttime routines due to its role in supporting muscle relaxation and nervous system regulation. Topical magnesium formulations and supplements are often used to help the body transition into rest.

Overall, look for calming formulations featuring ingredients such as:

lavender
chamomile
frankincense
magnesium glycinate
magnesium citrate
magnesium chelate
shea butter
jojoba

These can be layered into an evening wind-down ritual through pillow mists, body moisturisers or supplements designed to support relaxation.

4. Consider colour therapy

We’re constantly influenced by our surroundings, and colours play a huge part in affecting our mood and behaviour. For example, if you’re surrounded by light pastels, you’re more inclined to feel calm and positive. On the contrary, if you place yourself in a room where colours are harsh and bright, you could either feel motivated, or angry and annoyed.

This doesn’t mean you have to avoid your favourite colours in the bedroom at all costs because it doesn’t evoke the feeling you’re seeking. For example, while red and black are associated with stimulation and anger, these can still be incorporated into your sleep sanctuary in subtle ways.

Here at Bed Threads, none of our linen colours will disrupt your sleep. The richness of Charcoal will create a blackout effect when the lights are switched off, swathing you in darkness and helping to ease you into sleep. Also, while red can be disruptive for those who have trouble sleeping, more muted tones such as our Rust or Lavender are cosy and inviting.

5. Decorate with art

Find an artwork you truly, truly love. In the wise words of Marie Kondo: “Does this spark joy?” Once you’ve found a piece that sparks joy every time you look at it, find the perfect spot for it – whether that’s above your bed, or in your line of sight from the moment you nod off and to the moment you wake up.

Beautiful art doesn’t have to be expensive, either - Etsy, Facebook Marketplace and Instagram are great places to search. For tips on how to start your own art collection, we’ve got your covered here.

6. Develop a bedtime routine

Make yourself a sleep checklist, and try going to bed - and waking up - at the same time. There are seven key things to consider when building a healthy nighttime routine:

Reduce blue light before bed
Eye mask - this can help you if you are sensitive to light
Comfortable bed, mattress, and pillow
Clear the mind - keep a journal next to your bed
Exercise (but don’t do this too close to bedtime)
Take a relaxing bath or shower

Minimise alcohol, food and coffee close to bedtime

7. Add some greenery

Besides their Instagram-friendly benefits, a bedroom littered with plants can help induce sleep by transforming it into a more tranquil space.

Areca palms, mother-in-law’s tongue, orchids and succulents are welcome bedside buds that will purify the air and optimise sleep without compromise. When styling these, find a nook or empty shelf space to hero your plant, cultivating a natural sanctuary inside your space of relaxation.

8. Keep cool

Many sleep experts suggest a slightly cooler bedroom temperature (around 16–20°C) can support deeper sleep. A cooler environment helps the body maintain a lower core temperature overnight, aligning with natural sleep rhythms.

Breathable bedding materials can also play a role in temperature regulation. Natural fibres such as linen and cotton allow air to circulate more freely than many synthetic fabrics, helping reduce heat retention.

Linen’s looser weave encourages airflow, while cotton percale offers a crisp, lightweight feel that many warm sleepers prefer. Choosing breathable bedding can help maintain comfort throughout the night.

9. Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene

A sanitary bedroom is crucial for promoting good sleep. Not only should you be vacuuming your carpet, but regularly washing your sheets is a must.

In an interview with Business Insider, Jessica Samson – a cleaning expert – explains that "Even if you are a very clean person and shower every day, after a few days your sheets become soiled with dead skin cells, sweat, body oils, and other gross stuff.". Samson, along with other experts in the feature, recommend washing your sheets at least once a week on a cold temperature setting to ensure you’re saying a final adios to all your little bacteria friends.

If you need more incentive to wash your Bed Threads linens, 100% flax linen actually becomes softer and cosier with every wash – no fraying, either. It also has moisture-wicking properties, which means those gallons of sweat you produce every year aren’t going to linger in your sheets for long.