11 Ways to Turn Your Bedroom Into a Sanctuary

Ah, the bedroom. It’s my sacred space. It’s my favourite place to wake up, to meditate, and to rest, close my eyes and dream. The bedroom is my haven from the frenetic; my refuge for zen.

Here’s how I ensure my bedroom is the ultimate sanctuary:

1. Calm Hues

Generally speaking, light, soothing hues, like white, blue, cream, light green or yellow, set the mood for a restful night’s sleep. Overall, I like to keep everything light and bright and create a simplistic mix of warm and cool tones with bed linen and artwork. What’s more, using non-toxic paint (VOC-free) benefits your health, including well after it has dried.

2. Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Sleeping in crisp, fresh, soft linen is one of life’s ultimate pleasures. Personally, I prefer luxe, higher thread count, naturally dyed or coloured Pima cotton, plus the even comfier eco-friendly and antibacterial bamboo sheets. From the quilt cover and pillow slips to cushion covers and throws, everything is as natural as possible.

To prevent dust mite allergies and bites, I always wash my linen in warm water with a pure eucalyptus wash. Plus, when I do wake up each morning, I don’t make my bed straight away. Instead, and as researchers at Kingston University have been saying for years, it’s best to pull the cover and sheets back to let them cool down and dry. That way, it deters dust mites from nestling down into a warm, moist bed.

3. Light up Your Life — Naturally

As soon as I get out of bed, the first thing I do is open the curtains to allow natural daylight to pour in. With that in mind, I always have my bed looking towards a window view. For me, that’s tall trees, mountains, king parrots and the odd kookaburra or three.

4. Keep it Simple

One of my core philosophies in life is that simplicity is the key. So when it comes to the bedroom, it’s important to have a selection of pieces that have significant meaning for you, not just for the sake of it. Otherwise, those various bits and bobs create clutter and become unnecessary dust collectors.

In addition to having a big comfy bed, for me, one or two key pieces of artwork, a couple of bedside tables, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and minimal shelving works a treat.

Also, if you have kids, only allow them to have a few toys in the bedroom when they are in there with you, not scattered around indefinitely.

5. Cushion Factor  

Cushions. They can colour your life, change the mood of a room in an instant and enhance that sense of sanctuary. But how many cushions do you really need on the bed?

I find that either a complementary pair or a couple of contrasting sizes (say, a European pillow and a smaller or standard size cushion), plus a set of four pillows suffice. If you are prone to having piles of them, you end up spending more time pulling them on and off, morning and night, ensuring they aren’t unceremoniously dumped on the floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cushion made by Clementine by Design, Kallista. Image by Kristin Lee.

6. Flower Fresh 

Fresh cut flowers are fabulous for myriad reasons. But I don’t always have them in the bedroom, especially larger bunches. I find they’re more suited to communal areas like the living, dining or lounge room. So when I feel like I need a touch of living colour, sometimes I place a fresh picked flower or two in a small vase.  

7. Electronic and Digital-Free Zone

From a young age, I’ve known that sleeping next to a clock radio isn’t a good mix for me. My sleep gets disrupted; it’s like I’m wired. Yet electromagnetics and electro-pollution are rife these days. So I minimise electronics and technology in the bedroom wherever possible.

That means it’s a TV, laptop and tablet-free zone. I also prefer not to have anything electrical plugged in or around the bed, unless a soft lit night lamp is being used for reading a book. As for a clock radio or an Ipod dock, which is only ever used for relaxing music, they’re on the opposite side of the room. Meanwhile, my mobile phone is always kept in my bag, sometimes switched off overnight, and well away from the bed.

It’s my ultra-mini version of a daily digital detox.

8. Clarity with Crystals

I’ve always been partial to gems and crystals, especially for use during meditation, and keep a handful bedside. Some of my favourites include Larimar, Tanzanite, Rhodocrosite, blue Kyanite, amethyst, rose quartz and moonstone. Each has their own distinctive appeal and properties. Some are calming; others provide clarity. Like anything, it’s what resonates with you. 

9. Naturally Fragrant

I love candles, and when I do burn them, I use naturally scented soy candles (usually citrus) or beeswax candles, which infuse a delicate honey aroma. Alternatively, I place a few drops of different aromatherapy oils in a ceramic oil burner.

Something I do each morning is lightly spray my room with a homemade blend of peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender aromatherapy oils with water. Not only does it enliven the room, it naturally keeps any creepy crawlies at bay.

10. Air Flow

I open windows as often as possible to circulate fresh air and energy, which usually means it’s during the warmer seasons. And although it’s a sanctuary, I like to leave my bedroom door open a smidge overnight for air circulation, then wide open during the day. If kept shut, stale air and condensation can build up on the windows and window furnishings, which can lead to mould.

11. Pet-Free Zone

I’m an animal lover to my core. Yet pets sleeping on beds, no matter how adorable or well-groomed, is a no-go zone for me. Yes, I’ve been guilty of having cats and small dogs occasionally sleep on the bed when I was younger. But you definitely have a healthier relationship with your pet, as well as improve the overall energy, if they have their own comfy bed elsewhere in the house.

On a more practical note, it also helps keep linen free of hair, fur, paw or claw marks, unless they jump up to greet you with their front paws each morning, or attempt to take a snooze, like my dal pal, Ella.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image by Kristin Lee.

How do you like to keep your bedroom as a sanctuary?

By Kristin Lee

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