Here are the 3 Simple Steps that Improved my clients’ sleep quality dramatically! And of course, we use them too. Just like my clients, you’ll be surprised at what a difference it makes.
A good night sleep is sooo important to our physical and mental health, and how we function not only the next day, but day-in and day-out. Any new parent can attest to this fact. And although this won’t solve sleeping problems like a crying baby, what it will do is create the conditions we need so that the sleep we do get – whatever that may be – is the best quality. Here are the simple changes that will literally enhance your sleep and as a knock-on effect, your entire life and well-being…
Install Blackout Curtains in Your Bedroom
Blackout curtains will ensure that the sleep you do get is far less likely to be disturbed. So barring crying babies and unexpected phone calls in the middle of the night, adding Blackout curtains to your life will provide you the environment to sleep as long as you want or at least until your alarm clock sounds.
What are blackout curtains? Blackout curtains are drapes of any opaque fabric that you like lined with a specific lining called Blackout Lining.
You have 3 options to install Blackout curtains in your bedroom:
- Purchase Blackout curtains or drapes that go with your decor
- either ready-made ones from a store or online shop – you may have to hem them or have them hemmed to the correct length if you want to make sure they are functional and look great too.
- Or have them custom made
- Sew the Blackout curtains yourself – just make sure you pair your top fabric specifically with ‘Blackout lining’ that you can purchase at most fabric shops which carry drapery fabrics
- If your curtains are big enough to fit your window properly (see below), you can add ‘Blackout lining’ to your existing curtains which you can do yourself or take them to a seamstress or a drapery ‘workroom’ to do (How to Get Designer Custom-Made Curtains at a Fraction of the Cost – coming soon)
Your Blackout Curtains need to be a good deal bigger than your window in order to effectively block out the light, otherwise you will have streams of light making their way into your bedroom through the edges. So here’s everything you need to know about measuring, purchasing and hanging your Blackout curtains so they function perfectly and look Designer too. (click here – coming soon) Once you’ve installed your Blackout curtains the right way, you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.
Invest in Luxury Bed Linen
Although you don’t have to spend a fortune on Bed Linen, I will recommend getting as top of the line as you can afford, and save up if you have to. Yes, it is true that as an Interior Designer, I know all sorts of ways to create Luxury Living for so much less than what it normally cost to put together a Designer look – all tips I will be sharing with you in these posts. But your bed is the one place where I recommend you splash your cash in an informed way. Why?
Investing in good quality sheets, pillows & cases, duvets & duvet covers, blankets & comforters will upgrade your sleep Immediately! I cannot overemphasize this. The moment you put high quality linens on your bed is the moment you upgrade your comfort and your sleep. How To Make Your Bed the Most Luxurious it has Ever Been (coming soon) will go through with you all the details of what you should get to make your bed feel sensational and look Designer at the same time. The main thing you’ll want to remember is that your sheets & pillow cases should be made of at least 500 thread count cotton (I prefer a sateen finish as it feels great next to the skin).
Find Your Perfect Mattress
This is the biggest difference you can make to your sleep! If you are not sleeping on the right mattress for you, you aren’t getting the quantity or quality sleep you deserve.
Everyone is different. Not one mattress is one size fits all – remember Goldie Locks? You have got to figure out what size, what type, what level of firmness, and what grade will be most comfortable for you. Some people do better on a softer mattress, others on a firmer one, etc etc etc. Honestly, mattress selection can be a complicated matter as good mattress construction has really advanced to become a science. To make it painless, easy and stress-free (not wanting to make a wrong decision on what can be a big ticket home item) I’ve put together Everything You Need to Know in a Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Purchasing the Perfect Mattress for You (coming soon). PS – read it to find out if you even need a new mattress. The one you have may already be perfect.
If you realize that the quality of your sleep can be increased significantly by getting a new mattress, but just can’t afford the upgrade at the moment, here’s what you can do. Get yourself a mattress topper. Mattress toppers can be relatively inexpensive, come in various thicknesses so you can get just what you need, and will make a huge positive difference to an imperfect bed . Click Here for all the info you need to know on mattress toppers (coming soon).
My Top Interior Designer Tip for Parents:
- Make the above changes in your kids’ bedrooms too. The better sleep they get, the better sleep and more rest you’ll get and the happier everyone will be.
So to wrap this up, less than a month ago I held my friend’s hand through all these steps (plus a new bed). Over a weekend we got everything he needed online and in shops and saved him loads of money in the process on the best quality stuff (Click for Money Saving Shopping Tips on Big Ticket Items – coming soon). Within a week, everything had been delivered and assembled. I taught him How to Make his Bed the Interior Designer Way (coming soon), which he loved because now his bedroom looks amazing. But the real boon was when I received a call from him the next morning – he couldn’t believe how well he slept. The difference was enormous. And on top of that, almost a month on he’s raved that he’s been sleeping much better consistently, he feels really rested like he’s gotten loads of sleep even though he hasn’t upped his sleep time, and he doesn’t wake up groggy anymore. Honestly, his reaction has really been no different that all the clients I’ve done this for!
Also…
If you’d like to find out What’s the Easiest & Greenest Way to De-clutter after You’ve Upgraded Your Household Items and what’s The Best Interior Designer Tip for Great Home Design (coming soon), just click.
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