Can’t sleep? Find 5 ways to create a more restful bedroom

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a place of calm and tranquility where you can relax and hopefully enjoy many a restful night.

To help you create this relaxed environment, we’ve got five top tips to inspire you to create your dream sleep space.

Eat well, live better and stay healthy. Sign up for our Food & Health newsletter, it's free monthly

1. Customise your sleep space

Mattress technology is improving all the time, and one of the latest trends is customisable mattresses.

These cleverly constructed mattresses have a firm side and a soft side, meaning you can flip them to find the perfect support.

Brands including Otty and Eve have taken customisable technology to their hearts, but there is one mattress that particularly caught our eye: the innovative Dormeo S Plus Evolution, which was the first of its kind we tested. 

This, essentially, has two single mattresses under the cover, so you can have one firm side and one soft side at the same time to suit the preferences of different sleeping partners.

Sinking into the mattress of your choice should help you to relax and unwind in the evenings, but the Dormeo does also come with a 60-night comfort trial, which means the manufacturer will collect it for free if it doesn’t suit you.

The mattress is available on the Dormeo website or – for more tips on buying a new mattress – why not read the mattress brands hotels use?

We’ve also seen the customisable theme extend into pillows, such as the Simba Hybrid Pillow. This pillow, which works for back, front and side sleepers, is also easy to adjust to your liking. By removing or adding the foam cubes inside the Simba pillow you can fine-tune it to suit you.

How did our lab tests rate the Dormeo and the Simba Hybrid? Sign in or join Which? to read our reviews of the best pillows or find out how to buy the best mattress.

2. Consider natural materials

Choosing natural materials for your bedroom fixtures and fittings – such as wood, bamboo and linen – can give it a soft, airy feel.

If you’re looking to extend the natural theme, manufacturers are increasingly experimenting with natural materials in pillows, mattresses and duvets. Natural mattress brands haven't always excelled in our testing, so it’s worth reading our mattress reviews before you choose. Some natural mattresses started sagging - but others fared much better.

In the past, people with allergies to feathers or down have often had to choose synthetic fillings, but there is now an array of natural materials on the market that are also hypoallergenic.

One example, is the hypoallergenic Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow, which has a soft bamboo cover that's removable for washing. It is on the pricey side but if you're seeking to add a touch of luxury to your sleeping quarters, this might be the pillow for you.

Which? bedding expert Chris Brookes says:

'When we tested the Panda Hybrid pillow, we found it a popular choice among front, back and side sleepers alike.

'It features a silky-smooth cover and – while you can't adjust the firmness – we think it offers good neck support too.'

Find out if it’s worth your money by reading our review of the Panda Hybrid Bamboo Pillow or compare prices below. Or read our guide on how to buy allergy and hypoallergenic pillows.

There’s also an increasing array of duvets with natural fillings on the market, from traditional feather down to wool and - the height of luxury - silk.

Which? bedding expert Chris Brookes says:

'As the name suggests, feather and down duvets combine feathers (the outer part of a bird’s plumage) with down, the lighter, fluffier fibres that lie beneath feathers and provide insulation. 

'Wool is a less common choice of duvet filling. It's similarly priced to feather and down, and excellent at retaining warm air, keeping you warm when it's cold as well as removing heat and moisture when you’re warm. Unlike feather and down, it’s naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.

'Silk duvets are naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, too, and therefore ideal for people with eczema or asthma.'

We've tested a mix of winter and all-season duvets, so head over to our best duvets guide to find out which one came out on top.

3. Switch off from your surroundings

One of the secrets to a good night’s sleep is having the ability to switch off. If this is something you struggle with, there are products that can help. 

If you're a light sleeper or regularly travel, the best eye masks can help block out light for a more comfortable and undisturbed sleep. Some masks are even filled with calming scents, which the manufacturers claim can help relax you, making it easier to fall asleep. Other types, such as silk masks, are gentler on the skin and can have a cooling effect.

Our tests have rated popular eye masks on their light-blocking ability, as well as how comfortable and secure they felt. 

But if it’s nuisance noise that’s disturbing your sleep, the best ear plugs can help reduce unwanted sound.

We tested the most popular silicone, foam and wax, reusable and disposable ear plugs for sleep, and found Best Buys that were comfortable to wear and stayed securely in the ears overnight.

Soothing sleep apps are a hi-tech solution aimed at helping you switch off from noise disturbance and focus on relaxing melodies or the calming sounds of the natural world instead.

The idea is that with your mind directed away from disruption caused by traffic, barking dogs or creaking furniture, you can relax and fall asleep. For more information on sleep apps, such as Sleepio or Sleepstation, find 7 tips for better sleep. 

Technology can also help track your sleep patterns and monitor your sleep duration. 

Many fitness trackers and smartwatches – even the cheap ones – offer some level of sleep tracking.

Typical stats they monitor include sleep duration (how long you've been asleep or awake), sleep quality data (whether your sleep has been restless or good quality) and some also offer tips to help you sleep better.

Did you know smart rings can track your sleep, too? Discover which ones do it better in our round-up of the best smart rings.

Read our guides to the best fitness trackers and smart watches to find the models we rated or learn more about how to track sleep on a fitness tracker or watch. 

4. Experiment with style

Fitted bedroom furniture is a great way to maximise space, while adding a sleek and organised feel.

A fitted wardrobe with clever storage can mask any awkward nooks and crannies in your room, as well as helping you to declutter your sleep space – vital when you need to switch off.

Fitted furniture comes in a variety of styles and you can choose between various finishes to suit your preference and taste.

If you like clean lines and a minimalist feel, consider more modern options such as fluted doors, or areas of open storage for texture. If your style is more traditional, look at Shaker-style doors in warm whites or cool, classic greys. 

You can find more clever storage ideas on our site, as well as some innovative kids' bedroom ideas to help you keep clutter at bay.

Pair your furniture with a complementary colour scheme to help you create a calming space.

Pale greens and greys can turn your room into a serene, peaceful retreat as they have a calming effect. This makes them a great option for living areas and bedrooms.

Darker shades such as peacock blues or deep greens can give a richer, more luxurious feel to your bedroom, while colours like brown paired with lighter earthy tones can create a cosy, restful and warm space.

For more inspiration, read our piece on cost and design ideas for fitted wardrobes and don't overlook our guide to the best fitted furniture brands.

5. Get the lighting right

Lighting in a bedroom should create a soft, relaxing mood, as well as being easy to adjust. Go for warm white bulbs, rather than bright white, so harsh glares don’t keep you awake. Opt for a variety of lamps or dimmable downlighting around the room to help create a comfortable, dreamy mood. 

Some lamps are touch responsive, meaning you don’t have to reach around to switch off a plug when you’re trying to switch off yourself. Others – known as bodyclock or SAD lamps – adjust the lighting gradually to resemble a sunset or a sunrise, filling your room with a natural glow that can help you feel more relaxed. For more information, read our article on how to buy the best SAD lamp.

One of the most popular smart home products is smart lighting such as Philips Hue light bulbs, which you can turn on with voice commands or from an app on your phone. You can find out more about them in our piece on how to set up a smart home.

Which? product testing editor Alison Potter says:

'I have Philips Hue at home and I love how I can tailor the light in every room, so during the day it's cold white and in the evening it's warm and turned down low, especially when I'm getting ready for bed.'

Spruce up your spare room: Find 6 ideas to make your guests feel at home