Five interior design trends that could be costing you sleep
The clocks went back this weekend but if you’re feeling yourself wake up exhausted, it might not be the time change that’s doing it. If you find getting up is a drag and you’re not feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep, then it may be the fault of your interior design.
Dr Deborah Lee, health and sleep expert from Doctor Fox, working alongside Comfybedss, has shared some of the popular interior design choices in British homes which could actually be hampering your sleep. Things like the wrong colours, crowded spaces or even the material of your headboard could all be causing problems with your beauty sleep. One of the most common interior design trends this season is colour saturation.
The choice to soak your bedroom in moody, dark colour schemes from wall to ceiling can be disruptive to your sleep.
Dr Lee said: “While a darker palette can feel cocooning, overly saturated, low-reflectance schemes can make evening lighting even harsher, pushing people to use brighter lamps and screens to compensate, which is what we want to avoid.
“Keep deep tones on one or two surfaces and balance with warm-white, low-glare layered lighting, and choose matte finishes to reduce harsh reflections.”
Another trendy design choice is to do with lighting. Bare, exposed bulbs are a popular choice for their modern and industrial look but they could spell disaster for your beauty sleep.
Dr Lee said: “Bare filament pendants and sculptural shades look great on social media, but often emit cooler, high-intensity light that suppresses melatonin in the hour before bed.
“Instead, use 2700K or below warm bulbs at night and fit dimmers. Aim light downwards or onto walls which will avoid direct eye-level glare from the bed.”
The materials you use in your bedroom can cause issues too. Although things like Bouclé headboards and chairs, heavy wool rugs and layered drapes can be beautiful, they also harbour dust and dirt. This dust can irritate your airways and interrupt sleep.
She said: “Opt for removable, washable covers, low-pile rugs and lined curtains. Also ensure that you vacuum and launder textiles weekly, and consider a HEPA purifier if allergies flare.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, work has become more flexible and many people now work from either. However, if your bedroom is also your office, it can make it tricky to get a proper night’s sleep.
Dr Lee said: “Integrated desks and open clothing rails look airy, but work cues and visible to-do lists trigger wakefulness and stress hormones. Keep your office away from the bedroom and physically separate work from sleep.
“Use a screen, closed-door wardrobe or cabinet for laptops and paperwork. If space is tight, pack work items away an hour before bed.”
Her final tip is to ignore the maximalist trend in your bedroom. Gallery walls, piles of cushions and blankets and knick knacks can be charming but the clutter can cause your brain to focus on the wrong things. Instead, try to keep your bedrooms clear of clutter and bold patterns.
Dr Lee said: “Bedrooms should be recovery rooms, treated as a sanctuary to give ourselves a better quality of sleep, not showrooms. Aesthetics, of course, matter, and you want an environment that you enjoy walking into, but when design choices fight your circadian rhythm, your sleep will take a hit.”
