Connect Your Interior Design with Better Sleep

CONNECT YOUR

Interior Design with Better Sleep

Interior design sets the tone, mood, and ambiance of a room. And, there’s no room where that’s more important than one with such a specific purpose as the bedroom. The quality and length of your sleep cycle can be heavily influenced by everything from the light location and levels to the wall color and artwork. Sleep success has psychological roots that interior design can either help or hinder. Making that connection between design and purpose can help you get the full seven to nine hours of sleep you need every night. And we’ve got some tips to help.

ONBOARD NATURE

The barrier between the natural world and living spaces continues to thin. Time spent in nature reduces stress and anxiety, which nature-inspired design can also do. There are obvious choices like artwork that directly depicts nature in the form of landscapes, photographs, and sculptures. But, nature can enter the room through more creative and subtle means as well.

Lamps, rugs, pillows with floral motifs, or organic design elements with shapes and colors of nature can relax the mind and body too. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen with their soft textures and earthy vibe simulate the calm of a nature walk.

Natural elements don’t have to be soft or visually soothing to benefit sleep. Brick, stone, sand, and houseplants can be beneficial too. They also open the door for self-expression and a unique take on what it means to blend the indoors with the out.

FOCUS ON THE BED

As the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom, the bed is often, though not always, the focal point. It should also be the most inviting space. Soft textures, luxurious pillows in all sizes, and throws that add dimension create a bed that’s hard to exist. The design should also have the practical in mind. Yes, extra pillows make you want to jump on the bed, but make sure there are enough functional pillows that you can keep your spine aligned while you sleep.

SLEEP-ENHANCING COLOR PALETTE

Cool neutrals—the grays, whites, and pastel blues and greens—don’t overstimulate the eyes and calm the mind and body. They’re a favorite in the bedroom because of their psychological impact. However, when choosing a color palette, you also have to take into account your personal, ethnic, and cultural experiences and preferences. Any color with which you have a negative connotation could potentially affect your ability to fall asleep. A color, with which you associate peace and calm even if it’s bright red, could benefit you. The key is to create a palette that reduces stress and calms your mind and body.

CONTROL NATURAL LIGHT

Nature in the bedroom is a good thing. However, there are certain aspects that need to be carefully monitored and controlled because of the way they affect the sleep cycle. Natural light, for example, can suppress sleep hormones. Whether it’s sunlight from an early summer morning or moonlight in the winter, natural light is absorbed by the eyes and sent directly to the circadian region of the brain where it triggers the “awake” signal. Bedrooms with a wall of windows need sufficient window coverings to block out all light at night. Artificial light needs just as much consideration. Any task lighting should point away from or be diffused as it nears the bed. Dimmer switches are a simple way to provide ambient light control as bedtime grows near. Author Bio: Samantha Kent is a researcher for SleepHelp.org. Her favorite writing topic is how getting enough sleep can improve your life. Currently residing in Boise, Idaho, she sleeps in a California King bed, often with a cat on her face.

Good bedroom design balances beauty with practicality. Walking into your bedroom should feel like a release from stress and pressure. Design that makes you feel like you’ve stepped out of the world into your personal retreat is one that will support your sleep for years to come.

since 1979 since 1979

Italian Luxury Italian Luxury

KELLY by Iosa Ghini Design | Made in Italy KELLY by Iosa Ghini Design | Made in Italy

Studio Snaidero DC Metro | 1130 North Fairfax Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | snaiderodcmetro.com | 703.683.1130 Studio Snaidero DC Metro | 1130 North Fairfax Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | snaiderodcmetro.com | 703.683.1130 Los Angeles | Miami | New York | Chicago | Edmonton | Fort Lauderdale | Honolulu Los Angeles | Miami | New York | Chicago | Edmonton | Fort Lauderdale | Honolulu Houston | Maui | Naples | San Francisco | Toronto | Vancouver | Washington D.C. Houston | Maui | Naples | San Francisco | Toronto | Vancouver | Washington D.C. Bogotá | Caracas | Costa Rica | Panama City | Puerto Rico Bogotá | Caracas | Costa Rica | Panama City | Puerto Rico 1.877.762.4337 | www.snaidero-usa.com | Member of USGBC 1.877.762.4337 | www.snaidero-usa.com | Member of USGBC

816 GILCHRIST COURT, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320

4 BEDS • 3.5 BATHS • 3,770 SQFT • OFFERED AT $589,900

Re-locating to Hampton Roads, VA area? Gorgeous, stately brick transitional smart home in sought-after Greystone neighborhood in Chesapeake. The gourmet kitchen features stunning, flowing granite countertops, gas and electric convection cooking, and looks over a grand family room and eat-in area. Primary bedroom includes ensuite bathroom with jetted tub and double-faucet tiled shower. Back deck includes a new motorized awning, overlooking a private wooded area. Active military and Veterans – ask about the Veterans Real Estate Benefits Network Rewards program.

Realty Services for Those Who Serve Eric Gardner, CAPT, USN(ret)

Assoc. Broker, CRS*, GRI*, ABR*, Military/Veteran Specialist RE/MAX Alliance

4701 Columbus St. Suite 200 Virginia Beach, VA 23462

NEW CONSTRUCTION ON WARWICK RIVER!

10 WALTERS ROAD NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23602

Recently sold

4 bed | 3.5 bath | 3,200 sqft | $1,190,000

Waterfront new construction on the Warwick River! Gorgeous views and spectacular home -all within City limits. Inviting foyer opens to dining room. Family room with fireplace and access to covered porch/ deck. Kitchen with island and great breakfast nook. 1st floor master suite with huge walk-in closet, separate shower and tub, double sink vanities and breathtaking view of water! 1st floor laundry room, mud room. 3 additional bedroom upstairs and great bonus room over garage.

8900 Tolman Road

List Price $1,195,000 | SOLD price $1,365,000

Recently sold

Michael Roberson

ASSOCIATE BROKER

9501 River Road 23229

List price $995,000 | SOLD price $1,145,000

4680 PEACEFUL SHORES DRIVE

JAMESVILLE, VA 23398

2 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,302 Sqft

$679,000

Phyllis Ward

REALTOR ® Covid fatigue? You’re not alone. Hunker for a year and realize you can work from almost anywhere. Why not escape to an easier life of bald eagles and sunsets? This Chesapeake Bayfront post and beam is not too big, not too small, 2300 sq ft of perfect downsizing or 2nd home fun. 3 BDR. currently configured as 2 w/ open office. Easy to restore to 3. Or expand. Deck great for entertaining. Community pool is a fun place to make friends. 5.62 acres of waterfront. 6,000 boats a year pass in front of your floor to ceiling windows. Yep, skip the commute and let broadband internet make your after-work commute just 10 steps to your waterfront deck. And still just an hour to the Virginia Beach side of the bridge. Not in a flood zone. Truly a special place. Did we mention the sunsets?

HEART OF HISTORIC GHENT

623 MAURY AVE, NORFOLK, VA 23517

One-of-a-kind classic Victorian exquisitely restored and tastefully updated in the heart of historic Ghent. This property is the first home (circa 1894) built on the 600 block of desirable Maury Ave. Boasting 5 Bedrooms / 2.5 Baths, this grand Victorian home is replete original 19th-century details including extensive wood molding, stained glass window, original hardware, period chandeliers/light fixtures, coffered ceilings, functional transom windows, pocket doors & original re-glazed claw foot tub (stamped 1888). Yet it has been meticulously maintained and painstakingly updated with a spacious kitchen, new bath, refinished hardwood floors, newer HVAC, 2 new water heaters & newer roof.

The 1st floor features a gracious foyer, double parlors (currently as an office/family room), oversized dining room, eat-in kitchen & generous mud room. The 2nd floor has four large bedrooms, two bathrooms and upstairs laundry room. The 3rd floor has the 5th bedroom and a bonus room/in-law suite/au pair suite. The fenced yard has ample decking, hot tub and off-street parking. Visit www.623Maury.com for additional pictures, information, 3D tour and floor plan.

OFFERED AT $665,000

KATHRYN KRAMER

CELL 757.535.7111 | OFFICE 757.625.2580 KathrynKramer@HowardHanna.com

EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA BAYFRONT ESTATE

9491 SCARBOROUGHS NECK ROAD, BELLE HAVEN, VA 23341

5 beds • 4.5 baths • $2,900,000

Chesapeake Bay beach, frontage on Craddock Creek & Bull’s Cove, ponds, woods, field & marsh--Vineland has it all! 180 acres undeveloped land platted into 24 lot subdivision plus 7 additional tax parcels, private road, & managed forest make this perfect for investment potential, family compound, or conservation easement with tax advantage. With over 2 1/2 miles of coastline, most lots/parcels are waterfront. Estate house carefully sited & designed to maximize Bay views and sunsets. House beautifully appointed to bring the outside in, multiple screened porches, master suite on first floor, elevator. OR buy all the land except for this lovely house and 23 acres, and build your dream house on one of the other magnificent sites. Hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, star gazing, basking in your own private nature preserve. 3.5 hours from Washington DC, Baltimore, 2.5 hours from Richmond and 1.5 hours from Norfolk.

Price Clarke

REALTOR ® | BROKER

757.647.6820 pricec02@yahoo.com

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