How to Create the Perfect Sleep Sanctuary

If you’re tired of tossing and turning, or waking up more exhausted than when you went to bed, it might not be you. It might be your bedroom. We’ve talked a lot about sleep wellness before: sleep albums, sleep sounds, tracking your sleep.

But today, we’re focusing on your actual space. Yep, your bedroom might be sabotaging your snooze.

Let’s Help You Make Your Room Your Sleep Sanctuary

Here are simple ways to turn your room into a “great sleep” zone!

Start with the Vibe

First things first: set the tone. Think about how your space feels at night. Is the lighting harsh? Is the air stuffy? Start here:

• Lighting: Overhead lighting is the enemy. Use soft, warm-toned lamps or string lights. Bonus points if they’re dimmable.
• Temperature: Cool it down. Most people sleep best in rooms around 65°F.
• Sound: A white noise machine or fan can work wonders. If silence works better for you, great. But if your neighbors are loud, block them out.

Make Peace with Your Bedding

You don’t need the most expensive sheets on the internet. You need ones that don’t fight your body all night.

• Sheets: Breathable fabrics like bamboo or organic cotton help regulate temperature. We love Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheets!
• Pillows: Replace the lumpy ones. If you wake up with neck pain, your pillow might be the villain. We use the Core Products Adjustable Loft Pillow.
• Layer Smart: A lightweight quilt + optional throw = flexible sleep setup for different temps. We use the Cozy Earth Down Alternative Duvet.

We love Cozy Earth’s bedding and loungewear for all of this. If you’re curious, check out our favorite Cozy Earth pieces.

Cut the Clutter

Your bedroom is not your storage unit. It’s not your home office. It’s not where you fold laundry. (Or at least, it shouldn’t be.)

• Clear off surfaces. That mountain of books, tech cords, and random stuff? It’s stressing you out.
• Minimize visual clutter. A cleaner space helps your brain calm down.
• Stick to just the essentials: a nightstand, a calming candle, maybe a plant. Done.

Set Some Tech Boundaries

This might sting a little, but we’re going there: Your phone is probably messing with your sleep.

• No phones on the nightstand. Use an alarm clock instead, or put your phone in another room with the alarm so you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
• No late-night doomscrolling. Blue light messes with your melatonin.
• If you need your phone nearby, at least use a blue light filter and set it face down.

Use Scent and Routine to Signal Sleep

Your brain loves a cue. Give it one.

• Use essential oils (lavender, cedarwood, or chamomile work well) or a lightly scented soy candle. We love Southern Oak Artisan soy candles.
• Do the same routine each night: a few stretches, some reading, and low lighting. You’re training your body to expect rest.
• Optional bonus: include your dog(s) in the wind-down routine. Rue and Bea know when it’s bedtime around here. If we are not in bed by a specific time, they head that way to remind us.

You Don’t Need a Fancy Redesign

Creating a sleep sanctuary isn’t about throwing money at your bedroom. It’s about helping your body feel safe, calm, and ready for rest.

Small changes add up. Lower the lights, cool the room, cut the tech, and keep it simple.

We’d love to know how you create your sleep sanctuary.

Share your routine with us or tag us on social @arneradventures

Need help getting started? Check out our blog posts on:

• The Best Sleep Sounds That Work
• Our Favorite Sleep Albums
• How We Track Our Sleep Without Obsessing

Now go rest. You’ve earned it.

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions