Clik here to view.
Hands up who’s tired. Nearly half of us are getting just six hours or less of shut-eye a night, with four out of five people complaining of disturbed or inadequate sleep. You know it’s a problem when there’s an awareness month dedicated to the cause – in this case, Sleeptember, an initiative set up by The Sleep Council to promote good sleep practice.
One of the key factors for a restful night’s sleep is, of course, our environment. Sounds obvious, but how many of us have actually bothered to make our bedroom sleep-optimised?
Your bedroom should be dark enough to allow your body to release melatonin, which relaxes the body and tells us it’s time for sleep. Suddenly those blackout blinds and curtains seem more appealing. Choosing darker shades will also help to lessen light levels in your room. And the colour that’s thought to help aid sleep the most, according to research by the National Sleep Foundation, is blue. Why? Well, it’s down to special receptors in your eyes called ganglion cells. Blue is associated with feelings of calm which, when picked up by your ganglion cells and relayed to your brain, help reduce blood pressure and heart rate, all of which helps you drift off to cloud nine.
So if you want to create a sleep-ready space, dark, moody blues are a no-brainer. Happily, it also happens to be this autumn’s biggest bedroom trend. Here’s our pick of the best pieces for sweet dreams every night.
Happy Sleeptember, everyone…
Navy Geo Bedding Set, £18.99; Ceres Gold Wire Sphere Pendant, £39.99; Sequin Cushion, £9.99; Aurelie Gold Bed, £229.99, all available at Argos
Clik here to view.
After midnight
Pair deep midnight blues with metallic accents in copper and brass tones for a luxe touch to your bedside – because every bedroom needs a little bling. For a similar shade of blue, try Sapphire Salute by Dulux.
Dali Black and Gold Touch Table Lamp, £34.99; Round Glass Top Side Table, £59.99; Rosemary Mantel Clock, £29.99; Bowl, part of 8 Piece Metallic Geometric Dinner Set, £24.99, all available at Argos
Clik here to view.
Make a night of it
Let Bella Freud’s sensual and soporific candle lull you to sleep. With notes of amber, iris and musk, it’ll make bedtime even better – just the thing for your nightstand.
Bella Freud Night Music Candle, £45, available at Liberty
Clik here to view.
Feeling blue
Take your lead from West Elm and make dark walls look all the more dramatic with shiny accessories, like these lustre vases in teal blue and metallic shades. Dreamy.
West Elm Metallic Banded Vases, from £29, available at West Elm
Clik here to view.
One night stand
The perfect bed deserves the perfect bedside, and we think this little number from La Redoute is it; sleek, sexy and with a drawer large enough to sweep any clutter into. Good in the bedroom department, we say.
La Redoute Topim Bedside Cabinet with 1 Drawer, £154, available at La Redoute
Clik here to view.
Covers of darkness
Switching cushions and bed throws is a failsafe way to bring calming blues into your boudoir. Murmur’s indigo-hued collection is made with natural materials such as linen and wool, so feel as soothing as they look.
Chrysanthemum Cushion in Indigo & White, £50; Check Cushion in Indigo, Grey & White, £50; Matsu Cushion in White & Indigo, £40; Dab Cushion in Indigo, £45; Sail Navy Throw, £120; Dew Throw in Grey, £130; Seagrass Baskets Pair in Black, £37, all available at Murmur
Clik here to view.
Out of the blue
The most important item to get right for sleep is a good bed, but you knew that. This Artois bed comes in an array of sumptuous fabrics and colours and has a hand-tufted headboard (sounds good, right?) for the softest of slumbers. Oh, and can we also talk about the walls? Artfully distressed wall finishes are sure to lend a relaxed, faded grandeur to your sleep space. Get the look by layering different shades of blue with a dry-ish roller. Feeling sleepy already…
Artois Tufted Bed in Granite, £749; Fogg Trunk in Washed Canvas, £129; Soho Hand-woven Rug in Midnight, £199, all available at Swoon Editions
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I Live In Brooklyn With My S.O. & 52 Plants — My Studio Apartment Costs £2,300
Frida Kahlo Homeware Is Fine, But Here's How To Do It Responsibly