Intentional Interiors

Turn your Bedroom Into a Sanctuary

The bedroom space is the most intimate room in our home. We sleep, rest, love and dream here. We spend around a third of our lives sleeping, and the quality of our sleep determines the quality of our day. Amidst the often stressful challenges of everyday life, we need a tranquil and peaceful retreat. Here are some tips on how to turn your bedroom into a sanctuary — a space where you can find relaxation, sound sleep and rejuvenation:

The Bed

According to the principles of Feng Shui, your bed should be the main focal point and ideally be placed centered in the room against the wall. Viewing the door to your bedroom will keep you in the “power position” and promote a feeling of safety. Pick a bed with a headboard to further add a sense of stability. If possible, make sure you have enough room over your bed since low ceilings can have negative or “depressing “effects on your energy. Two nightstands, one on each side approximately the same size, will help keep a balance between you and your partner. I recommend investing in high-quality bedding. Natural materials such as cotton, linen or even silk will greatly improve your sleep and overall well-being. A cozy, textured throw blanket adds comfort, and an area rug under your bed helps to keep you grounded and your feet warm, especially with winter approaching. >

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Colors

When it comes to choosing colors for your bedroom, stick with warm, earthy and calming colors such as chocolate, copper or cream. Deep blues and purples can also be a good choice since they enhance a sense of relaxation.

Lighting and Window Treatment

A variety of sources are most important when lighting your bedroom. You want to include lights on the ceiling, on your nightstands, and in other corners of the room. I suggest a warm temperature and dimmable lighting to make the room cozier. Let in lots of natural light during the day, and keep your room dark with blinds or curtains during the night to support restful and uninterrupted sleep. If you have enough privacy, consider sheers that filter some sunlight but still let you enjoy the beauty of your surroundings when you wake up. Storage and Decluttering

From a Feng Shui perspective, keeping your bedroom organized and decluttered is crucial. Clutter can be distracting and counteracts relaxation. When you keep clutter to a minimum, it increases the flow of your space. Ideally, keep only items in your bedroom that you love, need or represent something important to you. Let go of everything else or store it in a different room.

Accessories and Artwork

The same goes for decor: Choose a few meaningful items to decorate. Place your favorite piece of artwork opposite your bed so you can see it first thing in the morning. It should be something you draw inspiration from, motivation or simply joy. Choosing photos will improve the quality of your romantic relationship when only focusing on pictures of you and your partner. Plants are an excellent way to fill blank spaces and help with air quality. I personally love to incorporate crystals. Each piece is unique and beautiful. You can use them to focus on an intention; for example, choose a stone like rose quartz, which is associated with love, to invite more intimate love into your life. Electronics and Work Space Ideally, you don’t keep any electronics in your bedroom. If you decide to have a TV in your bedroom, I recommend keeping it in an armoire that you can close or keep behind a curtain. It is also preferable to keep all work-related items outside your bedroom. If your space doesn’t allow that, consider using a screen, a curtain or plants as a room divider to clearly separate the bedroom from your office area.

Altar or Meditation Space Another important aspect of turning your bedroom into a sanctuary is creating an altar or meditation space ... a designated area such as a console table, shelf or simply a yoga mat or meditation pillow. There, you can journal in the morning, set your intentions for the day, meditate, center and ground yourself to start the day and bring it to a close in the evening.

Sarah Sim is the owner of Sarah Sim Intentional Interiors. Photos courtesy Sarah Sim.

sarahsimdesign.com ARE YOU READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE INTO YOUR SANCTUARY? WELCOME TO SARAH SIM INTENTIONAL INTERIORS, A SMALL INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO LOCATED IN SOUTHERN NH!