AN interior stylist has revealed two mistakes people make that are ruining their bedtime wind down.
The expert shared her solution for the perfect night’s sleep.
Victoria Foster, interior stylist at ScS, shared hacks that helped people settle in for bedtime.
Creating a relaxing atmosphere was key to getting ready for sleep and an easy way to set the mood is through lighting.
“The most important difference you can make to your home is lighting,” Victoria said.
She explained that a common design mistake prevented people from winding down properly.
“Harsh overhead lighting or cold-toned lighting can strain your eyes and make it difficult to feel relaxed,” she said.
“Instead, layer your lighting with floor and table lamps and choose bulbs that have a soft golden hue.
“Gentle lighting will limit distractions in the room and make the brain feel calmer allowing you to have a relaxing evening.”
It can also be difficult to feel relaxed when your bedroom is a mess.
“A really simple way to create a cozy and relaxing feel is to ensure your space is tidy and void of clutter,” she said.
“Having a messy space can serve as a distraction and divert your focus away, stopping you from feeling relaxed, as you may end up feeling stressed that the cleaning hasn’t been done.”
Tidying up and ensuring your space is clutter-free and clean during the day can go a long way to making sure you get a good night’s sleep without worrying about the mess in your room.
Outside of design, Victoria recommended turning to aromatherapy and music to calm the brain.
“If you aren’t choosing to spend the evening reading a book or watching your favorite rom-com, make sure you have relaxing music in the background to provide the perfect ambiance to wind down and forget about the stresses of your day,” she said.
“Simple piano melody playlists are easy to find online, alternatively, jazz or ‘low-fi’ music makes a great option for really setting a romantic mood.”
Layer your lighting with floor and table lamps and choose bulbs that have a soft golden hue.
Victoria Foster
Candles can go a long way in creating a cozy ambiance and while some may go for scented options, Victoria advised against it.
“Tea lights are a great option as they are often unscented, the last thing you want is to go to bed with a headache from fragrance overload,” she explained.
The stylist urged those who struggle to get in bed at a proper time to be mindful of prepping their brain, as well as their body, by lowering their screen time at night.
“Evenings are the time to escape from the outside world and calm the mind ready for a restful night’s sleep, so you can wake up and face the day,” she said.
“Phones facilitate meaningful conversations with friends and family, however, ‘doom-scrolling’ can stimulate the brain and limit your ability to have a restful night’s sleep.
“Try to set a limit a couple of hours before you aim to be asleep where you switch off your phone and instead enjoy a more relaxing activity, such as a bubble bath or reading a book.”
