The secret to a better night's sleep? Experts say it all starts with your bedroom design

If you're struggling to get your full eight hours, there are a few things we can do to address that. A well-designed bedroom isn't just about aesthetics (although markedly important) but also plays a crucial role in how well you sleep.

Sure, you can try counting sheep but switching up your bedroom ideas can be a significantly more powerful tool when exploring how to sleep better.

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, a space that signals to your body and mind that it’s time to unwind – yet many of us unknowingly create environments that work against this. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, these expert-approved changes can help you design a bedroom for better sleep.

How to design a bedroom for better sleep

The foundation of a restful bedroom starts with a carefully curated environment – from bedroom color ideas to tracking down the best bed sheets – and a few small changes can make all the difference. Here, we spoke to the experts to determine their six best tips to help you design a bedroom for a better night's sleep.

1. Reassess your color palette

The colors that surround you in your bedroom can have a profound impact on your mood and sleep quality. While bright bedroom paint ideas might feel energizing during the day, they can be overstimulating at night, making it harder to unwind.

When searching for the best bedroom colors for sleep, calming color combinations and nature-inspired tones are among the best choices for a sleep-friendly bedroom. 'When designing a bedroom for better sleep, make sure to minimize distractions by keeping the colors muted and contrast low,' advises interior designer Bethany Adams.

'Designing a bedroom for better sleep starts with a calming color palette,' agrees Michelle Murphy, founder of DEMI RYAN. 'Soft neutrals, muted blues, and warm earth tones help create a relaxing environment.'

If your bedroom is currently painted in a bold or high-contrast shade, it might be time to rethink your palette. 'Have you ever been to a space with bright red paint? How does it make you feel? Make your room a place where you can be calm with neutrals, warm tones, blues, greens, and muted pastels. Nothing that screams in your face, unless that's your thing,' adds Matt Alpin from Cozy Earth.

2. Introduce cocooning textiles

The textures in your bedroom play a crucial role in how comfortable and restful the space feels. Soft, inviting materials help create a cocooning effect that encourages relaxation and signals to your body that it's time to wind down.

While you know how to dress a bed in principle, it is time to address any issues now. Threadbare linens aren't going to inspire relaxation and competing in tug-of-war over the covers is certainly no good. Look to layer your bed with luxury, breathable bedding, treat your space to a hotel-style turndown service, and remake the bed each morning.

Of course, your linens are important – as are decorative pillows and throw blankets, but have you ever considered adding a canopy? 'We swear by canopy beds,' says Kailee Blalock of House of Hive. 'Draping fabric around the frame lets you cocoon yourself in – use blackout curtains for complete darkness or soft sheers for an airy feel.'

Danielle Balanis of Danielle Balanis Design agrees suggesting: 'Think layers of luxurious fabrics, dramatic dark hues, and a statement piece like a canopy bed, all wrapped up in layers of cozy blankets.'

3. Upgrade your window treatments

Have you heard of sleep hygiene? Essentially, it is a set of practices that you can put in place to help you sleep better, which includes creating a comfortable sleep environment. Light control is one of the most important steps, ensuring you keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet by using window treatments to your advantage.

'Designing a bedroom for better sleep starts with creating an environment that promotes restfulness, and light control is key,' says Kelsey Matyas, founder of Kelsey Deirdre Designs. 'Blackout Roman shades paired with drapery panels offer a perfect combination of style and functionality, allowing for complete darkness when needed. This layered approach not only blocks out unwanted light but also adds texture and elegance to the space, making the room both soothing and visually appealing.'

Of course, exposure to natural light in the morning is beneficial for regulating your circadian rhythm, but too much artificial light at night can disrupt melatonin production and make it harder to fall asleep.

'You'll also want to invest in good bedroom window treatments with blackout shades or linings, a thick wool sound-absorbing rug, and luxurious seasonally-appropriate bedding,' Bethany adds.

4. Address your mattress woes

Your mattress is arguably the most important element of a bedroom, yet many people hold onto theirs for far too long. A worn-out or unsupportive mattress can lead to restless nights, back pain, and disrupted sleep cycles.

If you're wondering which mattress to buy, Clare Schifano, global marketing director at Vispring, advises: 'Two of the most important factors when considering materials for a mattress are breathability and support.'

'For support, you want the materials to mold to your body and not to create pressure points which will make you uncomfortable and increase the amount of turning you do at night,' Clare explains. 'The height of your bed is another critical aspect in creating a healthy bedroom environment. It is essential that your bed is raised off the ground, allowing energy to flow freely around and underneath you as you sleep.'

'Part of getting into a good sleep routine is about making sure your bedroom is the perfect sleep environment; making sure it’s the correct temperature, it’s comfortable, uncluttered, and dark.'

'Tons of studies have shown that sleeping in a cooler environment helps you sleep better,' adds Matt from Cozy Earth. 'The ideal temperature to sleep is between 60-67 degrees. Sleeping cool helps your quality of sleep, helps you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up well rested.'

Our resident sleep expert, Emilia, has also rounded up the best mattresses available on the market to buy right now.

5. Provide ample layered lighting

Just like the natural light from your windows, artificial lighting plays a crucial role in regulating your sleep cycle too. But bedroom lighting ideas go way beyond the big light.

A well-lit bedroom isn't just about having a single overhead fixture – it’s about layering different light sources to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that promotes relaxation. Think wall sconces bedside the bed, a table lamp on your nightstand, and to complete the layered effect consider accent lighting throughout the room like a floor lamp or light on your dressing table.

Crucially, you want to choose warm, dimmable bulbs that mimic natural light. 'My top tip though is to purchase nursery light bulbs, like these Amber Light Bulbs for Sleep Therapy, for the bedside tables,' suggests Bethany.

'These melatonin-inducing bulbs will set you on the path to excellent sleep even if you enjoy reading before bed, and turning them on in the middle of the night will not wake you up in the same way a standard bulb will. The warm glow they cast is also beautiful.'

6. Finish with thoughtful details

Small, intentional details not only enhance the aesthetic of your room but also contribute to a sense of calm and relaxation. Stamping your personality on the space is just as important for a grown-up as it was when you were a teenager filling the walls with posters.

'You will always sleep better in a bedroom with thoughtful details,' says designer Sarah Latham. 'Whether the bedding is hypoallergenic, the mattress is the perfect firmness, or your lighting is adjusted to help you read your favorite book, taking time to consider what works best for the user is always going to provide the perfect night's sleep.'

Additionally consider adding things to your bedside that will make you smile – whether that's framed family photos, soothing scents, or a houseplant. And if waking up to piles of laundry from the day before makes you feel overwhelmed, remedy this by taking time before bed to clean up your space.

'Minimize clutter by incorporating smart storage solutions and keeping surfaces clear to create a peaceful, distraction-free space,' Michelle Murphy adds. 'Also, incorporate live plants to help add oxygen to the air, and lastly, consider soundproofing with plush rugs, upholstered furniture, or a white noise machine to block out disruptive sounds and enhance relaxation.'

Your bedroom should be a space that feels like a true retreat. A well-thought-out design not only enhances your space, but can also have a direct impact on your well-being.

Whether it’s swapping out harsh lighting for warm, dimmable fixtures or introducing soothing scents, even small changes can have a big impact on your sleep quality.

To further help in your quest for a better night's sleep, we explore recent sleep trends for 2025 in our separate piece.