We’re all creatures of comfort. We relish the prospect of a shaded hammock or a soft leather chair, just as we praise soft clothing and nostalgic meals. And if there’s one place where we can experience the epitome of comfort, it’s our bedrooms. This is where we have to unwind—and it’s where we’re free to wear sweats and eat pancakes whenever we please, too. To make this room as cozy as possible, we seek out the right mattress and the softest sheets, and we carefully weigh the details of paint colors and accessories.
Nevertheless, there are some choices we may be making that are keeping our bedrooms from being as comfortable as possible. To steer us onto the correct track, Founder & CEO of Parachute Ariel Kaye and Founder & CEO of Bearaby Kathrin Hamm have shared their advice for ensuring that any sleeping space is as exhale-inducing as possible. Read on for their five tips.
1. Think about not adding artwork.
While it’s true that a home’s design is a reflection of individual tastes, a bedroom doesn’t necessarily have to be a strong showcase of your personality. In fact, Kaye argues that a bedroom should be uncluttered as to avoid distractions—and walls should be completely bare.
“My bedroom is the only room in my home that doesn’t have something hanging on the walls,” she says. “Instead, I stick to a natural color palette to create a cozy and calm vibe. I recommend soft greys, tans, or shades of white to keep the room minimal while still providing warmth.”
2. Layer on the comfort when it comes to restful sleep.
Go ahead and ignore the minimalistic attitude that says two pillows is sufficient for sleeping. Hamm says that a bed should be thought of as a “cozy corner” in your home, where you can get a full night of rest and the occasional nap.
To create a comfortable spot for some shut-eye, Hamm recommends layering a bed with textured pillows, throws, and a blanket. For her, that means using a weighted blanket.
“I had a very hectic lifestyle with my prior career at the World Bank—within four years I had moved to three different countries, and I was on a plane on a weekly basis,” she says. “I was looking for a natural sleep solution and discovered weighted blankets."
3. Pay some serious attention to your floors.
Ideally, the first few moments before sleeping and right after waking should make you feel relaxed. But if the last and first thing your feet hit directly out of bed is a hard, cold surface, a sense of calm might be hard to come by. That’s why Kaye recommends adding something soft to your bedroom floors.
“I love giving my feet something plush and luxurious to land on as I get in and out of bed,” she says. “Whether you have hardwood floors or carpet in your room, add a cozy rug to give the space texture, character, and dimension. Rugs are great for layering, and they create a cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing.”
4. Move (some of) your plants to the bedroom.
A fiddle leaf tree might be a living room staple, but to switch things up, consider moving yours to the bedroom.
“Plants remove toxins from the air, making a bedroom a healthier place to live and sleep,” says Hamm. Besides larger options like the fiddle leaf, smaller ones for a nightstand or dresser can work wonders, too.
5. Focus on a quality fabric.
Kaye believes that there’s a common misconception about quality bed sheets requiring a high thread count, and she’d like for you to forget all about it.
“As I was researching and meeting with manufacturers in the early stages of Parachute, I learned that thread count isn’t important—in fact, it’s largely a marketing gimmick,” she says. “Anything over 400 thread count is a result of manipulation of the fabric, so the sweet spot is somewhere between 280 and 350.”
When choosing sheets, she says, the most comfortable ones are made from a quality fabric. Kaye recommends focusing on materials like linen and long-staple Egyptian cotton, and double-checking that fabrics are made with responsible manufacturing practices, too.
“Focus on the details, such as stitching, finishes, and hues, which translates to softer, stronger, and more comfortable bedding that lasts over time,” she says.
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