Bedrooms have a habit of changing slowly, which might sound quite strange, or even impossible, but when you really start to look into it a bit more, you’ll realise it’s true – you just never noticed it. The issue is that this change – very small and very gradual for the most part – ends up making you feel less comfortable than you once did in the one room in the house where comfort is one hundred percent necessary.
So what happens? Well, over time you’ll find things like your pillows getting flatter, your bedding isn’t as soft as it once was, the colours start to feel a bit tired, and basically the whole space can feel a lot less restful.
Of course, there are things you can do that can make your bedroom feel comfortable again, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out what some of them are, and when the signs are showing you that it’s time to refresh your bedroom
When Sleep Starts To Feel Less Restful
One of the clearest signs that it’s time for a refresh is when your sleep changes. For example, if you’re waking up more often, feeling stiff in the morning, or you just can’t settle when you get into bed, it could be that the bedroom itself is causing the problems.
Sometimes it’s just a case of updating or adjusting lighting, and the problem is sorted, but it might take a bit more than that, and it could be that you need a new mattress or pillows or that you need to tidy up and redecorate – it could be all of the above.
When Your Mattress Doesn’t Support You Anymore
Your mattress is the main thing you need to get right if you want to be comfortable in bed, but it’s very often the last thing people think about replacing, possibly because it’s just always there, so you stop thinking about it, or maybe because there’s an idea that it’s expensive, so you ignore the issue.
The problem is that even the very best mattress is going to need to be replaced after a while just because of how much it’s used – the materials just end up squashing down and losing support, and even if it technically still looks fine, when you’re trying to sleep on it, you could feel dips, uneven patches, or just the feeling that it’s not doing a lot to help you.
This is where the question of how often should you replace a mattress becomes so important. There’s not really an exact timeline to follow because it’s going to be different for everyone and every mattress, but generally replacing your mattress every six to 12 years (depending on the type of mattress) is a wise idea. If you wait too long, it’s going to affect your quality of sleep, and that’s going to affect everything else, too.
When Your Bedroom Feels Cluttered
Comfort isn’t just about what you sleep on, and the overall atmosphere plays a big role too, so it makes sense to work hard to get it right. The reality is that if your bedroom has gradually filled with a load of extra stuff, it’s going to feel stressful rather than relaxing and calming, and that’s definitely not going to help you get to sleep or stay asleep for long enough.
The problem is that even small amounts of clutter around the bed can make a bedroom feel less comfortable, so even if you don’t think the mess is a problem, it actually could be. You can clear the surfaces, reorganise storage, remove anything from the room that shouldn’t be there (or you no longer want there), and then it should all feel a lot more comfortable and like a place where you can actually get a good night’s sleep.
When The Seasons Change
Seasonal changes are another great time to refresh your bedroom, and the best part is you know when they’re coming (give or take), so you can schedule them into your calendar and make sure you’re ready to make the necessary adjustments.
Heavier winter bedding is probably going to feel too warm in summer, and lighter fabrics might not feel cosy enough in colder months. That’s why rotating duvets, swapping throws, and changing your curtains can all help to keep the room comfortable all year round.
When Lighting Feels Too Harsh Or Too Dim
Lighting is easy to overlook because it tends to be more functional than anything aesthetic, which is why it might not be on your radar. But what if it’s the thing that’s making it hard to be comfortable in your bedroom? And the truth is, it really could be.
If the room feels too bright at night, or if it’s too dark during the day, you’re not going to feel comfortable, and although you might not be able to put your finger on it, it’s going to affect you anyway. Adding softer lamps, using warmer bulbs, or letting in more natural light during the day can totally change the mood for the better, and if you try it and don’t like it, you can easily put it back the way it was.
When Pillows Lose Their Shape
Pillows don’t last forever – over time, they get flat (as anything would when someone sleeps on it all night, every night), which means they lose support and your neck won’t be aligned properly anymore, which can cause pain.
If you find yourself constantly adjusting your pillow just to get comfortable or if you wake up with neck or shoulder pain, then it could be that it’s time to replace your pillows, and once you do, you should feel a noticeable difference in how well you sleep.
When Your Routine Changes
Life changes can also affect how you use your bedroom. For example, you might have a new work schedule, different sleep habits, or even seasonal daylight changes can change what you need from the space, and make it hard to be comfortable in there if it’s not set up quite right.
But the fix, as most of these have been, is fairly simple – just refresh your bedding, rearrange your furniture, or add some softer textures, and that should bring back that familiar – and important – feeling of comfort.
