CLEANLINESS “ Eliminate clutter from your bedroom . Even if you have laundry that you haven ' t put away yet , put it in your closet , hide it . What happens is , if your room is cluttered , you tend to want to throw the blankets over your head when you wake up in the morning . Eliminating clutter from your dressers , limiting the amount of furniture and things you have in your room to just the necessities depending on your space definitely helps with that calming feel . If you walk into your bedroom at night and it ’ s full of stuff , you ’ re just going to feel unmotivated and it doesn ’ t make for a good bedtime mood . We always recommend organizers : jewelry organizers , shoe organizers , anything you can do to declutter your space is ideal .” – Pickle and Board Interiors
“ Prepare the room by cleaning , decluttering , hiding wires and removing extra items from the floor . Make sure you make your bed every day , which provides you with a sense of structure and organization . You start the day there and then you get back in at the end of the day .” – Interior Decorating NE
LIGHTING “ Lighting is huge for a bedroom . If you ’ re just using your overhead lights , it ’ s very jarring and bright , so lamps or sconces next to the bed that have a lower light bulb , like a forty-watt light bulb , can be very calming .” – Pickle and Board Interiors
“ Create soft lighting with LED lights and soft white bulbs . Window treatments are subjective , depending on whether you prefer waking up with the sun or if you prefer the room dark because I personally don ’ t want to wake up until I ’ m ready to wake up . Also consider privacy in choosing window treatments .” – Interior Decorating NE
GREENERY “ Something we always add to every space , but bedrooms especially , is plants . It ’ s just good for oxygen in your room , adds some life to your space and gives you something to focus on . Nature is very calming , that ’ s why greens are one of the more calming colors .” – Pickle and Board Interiors
“ Add some greenery as plants represent life , and it ’ s something you take care of , gives you a sense of responsibility and it ’ s an investment in yourself and your home . It also adds a pop of color . Your choice of plant depends on the lighting in the room and if it can sustain without a lot of light . Succulents are very hardy and abundant ; there ’ s a vast variety of soul plants if your room does not afford enough light .” – Interior Decorating NE
ADDING TEXTURE “ People always focus on just the bed for their bedroom since the bed is definitely the focal point and it ’ s where you sleep , but your room in and of itself is a safe haven , so adding window treatment adds softness and texture to your room , and curtains will change a space so add drapery . Even if you have a carpet in your bedroom or hardwood floors , always add an area rug under the bed because it grounds the space , and doesn ' t make it feel like your bed is floating in the middle of the room . It ’ s also another element that can add pattern , texture and comfort .” – Pickle and Board Interiors
“ Decorate by layering textures . Wood is very natural ; it creates a natural environment and helps you feel grounded . I have a wood bed frame but you can also use wood sculptures or shelving . Offset that with a plush rug or a fluffy pillow . Ceramic , marble or agate stone also add texture . Select a statement piece that resonates with you , reflects who you are and what you love . Consider all your senses and incorporate sight , smell and feel .” – Interior Decorating NE
Invest in Your Health
Plants can cost a pretty penny , but choose the ones best for your home and you could even see a difference in your overall health . BY KERRI TALLMAN
CLEAR THE AIR : AIR-PURIFYING PLANTS
Plants like peace lilies , pothos , rubber plants , spider plants and snake plants can improve air quality by releasing water vapor into the air , increasing humidity . This can help improve respiratory and skin health by offsetting dry environments . Common low-light plants like the peace lily can catch allergens or other airborne particles to help with allergy relief . There are very few houseplants that produce pollen . Many houseplants absorb toxic substances , such as formaldehyde , benzene and trichloroethylene found in man-made materials .
STRESS-FREE SETTING
Research has shown plants in the home reduce stress levels by almost 40 percent , reminding us of the outdoors and nature , according to author and wellness expert Emma Mills . Working with plants , repotting ( see page 61 !) and reorganizing your setup can be therapeutic and can help with anxiety and depression . Plus , just looking at bright shades of greenery in an office setting can instantly lift your mood and change your energy .
LET ’ S GET PHYSICAL
While fake plants are easier to maintain , having real plants may sharpen your attention and boost your productivity , especially useful in work-from-home environments . In fact , plants may change your whole outlook on work as being exposed to natural elements increases job satisfaction and commitment to an organization , according to a study of Amazon employees .
Plants may help you recover from illness faster . Research by Texas A & M University revealed that people recuperating from surgery surrounded by greenery required less medication and had shorter hospital stays than those who did not . ◆