Nighttime Comfort Mistakes in Apartments

Small things can have a big impact on sleep comfort. Here are common mistakes people make in their bedrooms—and how to fix them. Many of these are easy to address once you're aware of them.

Light Mistakes

Ignoring Small Light Sources

You might not notice them while awake, but LED indicators, charging lights, and clock displays add up:

• The mistake: Leaving electronics with glowing indicators in the bedroom
• The fix: Cover LEDs with tape, remove unnecessary devices, or turn them away from bed

Inadequate Window Covering

• The mistake: Curtains that don't fully block light or have gaps at edges
• The fix: Blackout curtains that extend beyond the window frame, or layer treatments

Bright Evening Lighting

• The mistake: Keeping lights at full brightness until bedtime
• The fix: Dim lights in the evening, use lamps instead of overhead lights

Temperature Mistakes

Bedroom Too Warm

• The mistake: Keeping the bedroom at daytime comfort temperature
• The fix: Most people sleep better in cooler rooms (65-68°F/18-20°C)

Wrong Bedding for Season

• The mistake: Using the same heavy comforter year-round
• The fix: Adjust bedding weight seasonally; use lighter options in warm months

Ignoring Personal Temperature

• The mistake: Not adjusting for your own hot/cold tendencies
• The fix: Use personal solutions—fans, breathable fabrics for hot sleepers; extra layers for cold sleepers

Noise Mistakes

Not Addressing Preventable Noise

• The mistake: Accepting noise that could be reduced
• The fix: Seal gaps under doors, add soft furnishings, talk to neighbors if appropriate

Electronics Sounds

• The mistake: Notifications, vibrations, or charger sounds during the night
• The fix: Silent mode, do-not-disturb settings, charge devices outside bedroom

Setup Mistakes

Bed Placement Issues

• The mistake: Bed against drafty window or noisy shared wall
• The fix: Reposition bed away from problem areas when possible

Too Much in the Bedroom

• The mistake: Using bedroom as office, gym, storage, and sleep space
• The fix: Minimize non-sleep functions; create visual separation if multi-use is necessary

Clutter

• The mistake: Piles of clothes, papers, and items creating visual stress
• The fix: Keep bedroom surfaces clear; use storage solutions

Electronics Mistakes

Phone in Bed

• The mistake: Scrolling on phone right before trying to sleep
• The fix: Establish a cutoff time for screens; charge phone across the room or outside bedroom

TV in Bedroom

• The mistake: Falling asleep with TV on or watching stimulating content before bed
• The fix: Remove TV if possible, or use sleep timer and avoid stimulating shows

Bedding Mistakes

Old Pillow

• The mistake: Using the same pillow for years past its useful life
• The fix: Replace pillows when they no longer provide support (typically every 1-2 years)

Wrong Pillow for Position

• The mistake: Using a pillow not suited to how you actually sleep
• The fix: Side sleepers need thicker pillows; stomach sleepers need thinner

Overdue for New Mattress

• The mistake: Sleeping on a mattress that's sagging or uncomfortable
• The fix: Most mattresses need replacing every 7-10 years

Routine Mistakes

Inconsistent Schedule

• The mistake: Wildly different sleep times on different days
• The fix: Try to maintain consistent sleep and wake times, even on weekends

No Wind-Down

• The mistake: Going from full activity to trying to sleep immediately
• The fix: Create a buffer period to transition to sleep mode