3 ways to claim your bedroom back

In our last blog post, we looked at the emerging trend for using green in interior design
schemes for everything from walls, kitchens and panelling to cushions, rugs and
curtains. One of the reasons we’ve embraced green over the past 2 or 3 years is
thought to be the impact of Covid-19 on our lives – lockdowns, more time at home and
rise and rise of outdoor living in the UK. Another way the pandemic influenced the way
we used homes was the sudden need for home working spaces. Some were lucky
enough to have a home office or study already set up while others commandeered
spare rooms or kitchen tables. But for some, the only available space to set up a
workstation was in the corner of their own bedroom.

That meant that work very quickly invaded the very room where we go to rest and relax.
The boundaries between work and home life were already more blurred than ever, with
no commute or lunches with colleagues, and now your choice of bed linen was on show
on Zoom calls too! So, now that it looks as though many of us will be heading back to
the office for at least some of the week, how can you transform your bedroom back into
a cosy space for slumbering? Here are our three top tips:

1. Declutter and take the bedroom back to basics

Unless you need to keep a desk, files and a computer in there for the occasional work
from home day, clear it all out. Reclaim your bedroom as a sanctuary for reading,
sleeping and recharging your batteries and not somewhere you have video calls and
tear your hair out about work! If you have to keep some kind of office presence, you
could look into desks which fold flat against the wall when not in use and packing tech
and files away in the wardrobe when you’re not using them.

You could also take this chance to declutter your bedroom of other clutter too. If your
lockdown shopping habit went a bit wild, then go through your wardrobe and see if you
have old clothes, you can sell or give away. Go through books and accessories too –
anything to create a more calming, clear space for sleep!

2. Create a soft and cosy space

Now that you’ve cleared out clutter and created a dedicated room for sleeping, it’s time
to turn your bedroom back into a snug and welcoming space. We love the feel of a cosy
rug underfoot when we’re about to get into bed. Carpets are lovely, but a sheepskin rug
is another level of sumptuousness for your feet! Plus, if your cat or dog is allowed to
snooze in the same room as you, they’ll love it too. Our luxurious Origin Sheepskin
Rugs come in a wide range of colours from natural creamy white to vibrant teal and this
chic navy shade.

If you prefer a rug that’s not quite so fluffy, but still very soft, we think the Lorena Canals
collection is perfect for a cosy bedroom. There are lots of designs which children will
adore if you’re planning a kid’s room or nursery makeover too! There are so many
different rugs in lots of colours and styles that you’re bound to find something perfect for
your bedroom style.

3. Banish tech from the room

It’s been proven that too much time on a laptop, tablet or smartphone before bed leads
to poor quality sleep. Reducing your time online in the evening is advised but putting
down the phone when you’re about to go to sleep is downright essential. So, snap up a
cheap, basic alarm clock and leave your mobile telephone downstairs overnight. If
you’re worried about people not being able to get hold of you then consider resurrecting
the landline telephone! Instead of scrolling when you’re trying to drop off, wrap yourself
in a warm throw, such as these velvet and linen throws from Niki Jones, and read a
chapter or two of a really good book. Prop yourself up with a soft cushion from Hug Rug
Woven and you can also feel very smug that it’s made from 100% recycled plastic but
feels just like wool!. The difference in the quality of your sleep when you don’t engage
with social media and news apps just before bed is astonishing.