Take it from us that what you keep out of the bedroom is almost as important as the design elements you choose to include. Creating a peaceful sleep environment means eliminating distractions and creating a tranquil space away from your daily routine. While it’s tempting to use your bedroom for work and exercise, these activities can easily disrupt the peace of your bedroom. Here’s how to turn your bedroom into a calming sanctuary.

Unnecessary Clutter

No matter what room you’re in, clutter should always be kept at a minimum. Particularly in a bedroom, unnecessary items create a sense of chaos, making it difficult to unwind. Rummaging through a junk drawer makes it hard to find what you need, adding to your daily stress before you've even left the house. Instead, keep the bedroom clutter at bay with built-in shelving and concealed storage that holds only essential items. You don't need a professional organizer to get a better night’s sleep or have more mental clarity during the day.

Work-Related Items

A lot of people living in small spaces like an apartment keep a desk in their room, but it’s not a great practice. Putting your office space in the bedroom blurs the lines between work and rest, which reduces the efficiency of both activities. In addition to a desk, try to avoid bringing laptops, important documents, and other work materials into your bedroom. Instead, carve out a small home office in the kitchen, living room, or any other separate room. You can even consider a wall-mounted desk in a hallway that can be folded up when not in use.

Electronics

In the same vein, try to avoid bringing electronics into the bedroom. A lot of people have TVs in their bedrooms, but these can negatively impact your sleep. Instead of going to bed, you’ll be tempted to watch a show…then another and another. The blue light can keep you awake for hours. Plus, TVs can be an eyesore that distracts from the beauty of a room’s design. If you are dead set on including a TV, consider these discreet positioning ideas.

If you struggle with poor sleep, it is also recommended to leave your cell phone, iPad, and other electronic devices outside the bedroom as these can affect your sleep cycle. Rather than a phone, try putting an old-fashioned alarm clock on your bedside table to help you wake up without the negative energy that blue light, text messages, and emails bring.

Exercise Equipment

If you exercise at home, keep your equipment anywhere except your room. Not only is gym equipment often clunky and unattractive, but sweating in the place you sleep affects the overall mood of the room. It’s best to put your dumbbells, yoga mat and Pelaton in a garage, spare room, or home office.

Food and Drinks

At the end of a long day, it can be tempting to bring food items and drinks (other than water) into the bedroom. However, this is never a good idea. First, it can lead to a range of issues that disrupt the cleanliness of the space. Crumbs and spills can attract pests and create difficult-to-clean stains, while lingering odors may detract from the room's relaxing atmosphere.

An Uncomfortable Bed

From the bedframe to the mattress to the linens, it’s worth it to invest in your bed. An uncomfortable bed can dramatically affect your ability to get a good night's sleep. Additionally, a mattress that is too firm or too soft can result in achy joints or back pain. Restful sleep equates to more enjoyable, healthy, and productive waking hours, so make it a top priority.

Harsh Overhead Lighting

Bright, glaring lights can create a harsh atmosphere in your room, making it difficult to relax. They can also cause eye strain and headaches, especially when turned on first thing in the morning. Instead of an overhead light, layer adjustable, warmer lighting options such as a dimmable table lamp, floor lamp, and wall sconces to create a cozy sleep space.

Remember, more than any room in the house, your bedroom is your sanctuary. Keep this valuable space free of clutter, such as junk, dirty clothes, and gym equipment. To foster a healthy work/life balance, consider setting up your desk in a different room, ensuring your bedroom remains as sleeping quarters. After the decluttering process of a messy bedroom, you'll feel more at ease and ready to get a great night's sleep.