How to Arrange a Bedroom for Better Sleep
Drinking a cup of chamomile tea, working out, taking melatonin supplements, and limiting your screen time—there’s a lot you can do to improve your sleep quality.
But did you know your bedroom itself might be getting between you and a good night’s rest? Until you get the layout and design right, a good chunk of your efforts might go to waste.
Let’s check out nine simple tips to help you arrange your bedroom for better sleep.
1. Position Your Bed First (And Do It Wisely)
Start by testing the command position. That’s where the bed gets a clear view of the door and the entire room. Yet, someone entering from the door can’t directly spot you on the bed without turning their head.
The command position is usually the most advantageous spot in the room, anyway. So, you’ll likely find it the best option even if you don’t believe in feng shui.
Working With Windows
What if the best spot is under a window? Well, you can still make it work by using curtains and a substantial headboard to “frame” the bed. Remember that you want the bed to be the focal point, not the window.
That said, you don’t have to center the bed in the room. Work with the space you have, even if it means a little bit of asymmetry.
2. Manage Your Nightstands and Bedroom Lighting Situation
Now that your bed is in place, you’ll want to create balance around it using lights and nightstands.
Depending on how large your room is, you can have one nightstand, two nightstands, or a simple bedside caddy.
If you opt for a traditional nightstand, you’ll have more lighting options since you can set a lamp on it.
Side Note: It’s better to avoid hanging a chandelier right above the bed. The lighting will be too harsh.
However, if you won’t get a nightstand or don’t have enough space on it for a lamp, wall-mounted sconces will save the day.
In fact, you can use both lamps and sconces to “layer” your bedroom light.
Either way, here’s a pro tip for choosing the bulbs: Go for low-color temperature lights. They can help calm down your central nervous system.
3. Hang Blackout Curtains
Since we’re on the topic of light, now might be a good time to consider hanging blackout curtains. They can make a massive difference in your sleep pattern if your bedroom receives a lot of streetlights (or if you’re a shift worker).
After all, our bodies produce melatonin in the dark, which helps regulate our circadian rhythm. Getting exposed to excessive amounts of light at night can interrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle. That’s where the blackout fabric comes in.
But there’s a downside. These curtains are usually bulky and hard to clean. They’re also on the pricey side. So, if getting blackout curtains isn’t possible, a decent sleeping mask will do.
4. Consider Your Storage Options
Next, you’ll place the remaining “bulky” pieces, like the wardrobe and the dresser. To avoid cramping the room, put the closet in a corner, in an alcove, or along the longest wall. The last option can actually help create a streamlined look.
Just be careful with the placement of the dresser’s mirror. Ideally, you’ll put it somewhere where the reflection won’t disrupt your sleep.
Once you find the perfect spot, start organizing your clothes, linen, makeup, and so on in the closet and the dresser. Does it all fit in? If not, go through your stuff to get rid of the items that you don’t really need.
It’s okay to hold onto a couple of sentimental but not-so-practical items, but try not to overdo it.
Resorting to Extra Storage
If your closet still won’t fit everything, then it’s time to consider extra storage.
Your top options are:
- Linen baskets
- Storage bins for your socks, bags, etc.
- Under-bed storage boxes (you can create even more space using bed frame risers)
- A storage bench that goes at the foot of the bed or next to a window
- Vertical shelves (use floating ones if your floor space is limited)
If you do get a laundry basket, keep it somewhere out of sight from your bed. No one likes to be reminded of their chores when they’re trying to doze off.
5. Find the Ideal Spot for a Cooling Fan
A proper bedroom layout should also factor in the temperature and air circulation.
This is mostly up to preference, but some experts recommend a temperature of around 65°F. If you have central heating/cooling, all you need to do is set your thermostat and call it a day.
But you can still make things work with fans (ceiling, box, or floor) if you don’t live in a particularly hot place. You just have to be smart with your positioning.
A nifty trick to try is to put one fan facing out of your window (to push the heat out) and another facing inward (to circulate the cool air inside the room). This way, you create a nice crosswind that helps with both ventilation and cooling down.
If you prefer ceiling fans and have a sizable alcove in your bedroom, you’ll need two fans—one for each section.
Of course, your bedding choice also plays a role in the temperature regulation. Bamboo and cotton generally offer good breathability, but you need to consider the thread count as well.
6. Mark Out the Different Zones in the Room
By now, you should have most of your bedroom furniture positioned. Hopefully, you’ll have extra space for your hobbies and unwinding activities.
Maybe a reading nook or a yoga corner? You could even create a little arts and crafts corner if you’re into that sort of thing.
However, the key here is to make the space feel like a designated zone rather than an afterthought. A small rug, a floor lamp, and a large plant pot can all help you mark out the area from the rest of the bedroom.
If your extra “zone” is a home office, try to distance it from the bed.
7. Lay Down Carpets to Soften the Noise
Carpets don’t just add flare to the room and split the space into zones. They can also help you get better sleep by absorbing sounds.
Just don’t forget to vacuum your carpets regularly. Otherwise, they’ll become laden with dust and allergens.
8. Get a Couple of Plant Pots
The right selection of indoor plants in your bedroom can purify the air, improve the humidity, add a nice aroma, and elevate the room’s aesthetic, helping your overall sleep hygiene.
You don’t have to get anything high-maintenance, either. Here are a few options to consider for your bedroom:
- Lavender (next to a window)
- Aloe vera
- Peace lilies
- Spider plant (the thin leaves look very nice dangling from shelves)
- Chinese evergreen
Using Vases Instead
If you don’t want to bother with live plants, you can settle for a flower vase. Put it on your bedside table to create a luxe-hotel-room vibe. Alternatively, you can put it on the small table at the foot of your bed.
You’ll still need to remove the dried flowers and replace them with a fresh batch every few days, though. So, this option isn’t completely maintenance-free.
9. Declutter All Surfaces (And Keep Them That Way)
It’s not enough to declutter your closet. After arranging all the furniture pieces, you’ll want to make sure all flat surfaces (desk, nightstands, dresser, and even floor) are as clear as possible.
Reducing the visual clutter in your surroundings can help you destress and control your cortisol levels. This should boost your odds of getting a good night’s rest.
This doesn’t mean your perfumes, skin care products, jewelry, chargers, and whatnot have to be tucked away in a drawer. You can still use organizers and boxes so that everything has a “home.”
This way, you can declutter the surfaces in a few minutes before going to bed and keep the room organized between major cleanups.
For some people, this level of decluttering can be hard to apply to all surfaces. In that case, we recommend at least tackling the ones involved in your bedtime routine and the ones you can see when you’re lying down on your bed.
The goal is to create a clean, non-distracting “view” to enjoy before dozing off.
Final Thoughts
Under-bed storage boxes, organizers, sound-muffling carpets, indoor plants, and a few well-placed lights can all make your sleeping quarters feel more inviting and relaxing.
That said, we understand that arranging (or re-arranging) your bedroom can seem like a tricky puzzle. After all, it’s not an exact science, and you’ll likely need to test things out before you find a layout that works.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with small changes. The improvement in your mood and sleep quality might just motivate you to keep going with more tweaks!