Bedroom Setup for Better Sleep

Your bedroom setup directly affects how restful your sleep feels. From bed placement to furniture arrangement to what you keep in the room, every choice influences the environment where you spend roughly a third of your life.

The Purpose of Your Bedroom

Sleep-Focused Space

Ideally, your bedroom should be primarily for sleep. When a space is used mainly for rest, your mind associates it with relaxation. This becomes challenging in small apartments where bedrooms must serve multiple purposes, but the principle still guides good decisions.

Multi-Use Reality

In small spaces, bedrooms often need to accommodate:

• Sleep (primary)
• Dressing and storage
• Sometimes work or study
• Sometimes entertainment

The goal is to minimize non-sleep activities and create visual separation where possible.

Bed Placement

Key Considerations

• Away from door: Facing the door from the bed can feel more secure
• Window proximity: Consider light and temperature from windows
• Shared walls: Avoid placing headboard against noisy neighbor walls
• Airflow: Not directly in line with AC vents or drafts
• Access: Leave room to get in and out comfortably

Small Room Strategies

• Bed against one wall often works best for space efficiency
• Consider bed orientation—lengthwise against a long wall may fit better
• Corner placement can maximize remaining floor space
• Elevated beds (lofts) create usable space underneath in very small rooms

Furniture Arrangement

Keep It Minimal

In bedrooms, less is usually more:

• Bed and bedside table are essentials
• Dresser or closet storage as needed
• Consider whether other items are necessary in the bedroom
• Fewer items mean less visual clutter and easier cleaning

Functional Placement

• Nightstand within reach of bed for essentials
• Dresser near closet for efficient dressing routine
• Clear path from bed to bathroom (for nighttime trips)
• Light switches accessible from both door and bed

Managing Clutter

Visual Calm

A cluttered bedroom can feel stressful and make relaxation difficult:

• Keep surfaces mostly clear
• Store items out of sight when possible
• Use under-bed storage for less-used items
• Establish a nightly tidying routine

What Doesn't Belong

Consider relocating items that don't support sleep:

• Exercise equipment (if possible to move)
• Work materials (if you have another option)
• Laundry piles (use a closed hamper or another room)
• Excess decorations or collections

Electronics

The Bedroom and Screens

Electronics in the bedroom can interfere with sleep:

• Screens emit light that can affect your readiness to sleep
• Entertainment keeps your mind active
• LED indicators create unwanted light
• Notifications can disturb sleep

Practical Approaches

• Keep TVs out of the bedroom if possible
• Charge phones outside the bedroom or across the room
• Cover LED lights on any devices that remain
• Use "do not disturb" modes during sleep hours

Creating Comfort

The Bed Itself

• Mattress: The most important investment for sleep comfort
• Pillows: Support for your sleeping position
• Bedding: Appropriate for your climate and preferences
• See our bedding choices guide

Ambient Comfort

• Colors: Calming colors tend to support relaxation
• Textures: Soft, comfortable textures feel restful
• Scent: Fresh air or subtle, calming scents
• Plants: Some greenery can add a calming element