It’s hard to overestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep can be the key difference in how you function in the morning—from memory tasks to overall mood. However, the benefits go beyond how you feel the next day. In fact, getting sufficient sleep can lower your risk for many health problems, like heart disease.

While the “why” health benefits of a good night’s sleep are known, the “how” is sometimes more elusive. Of course, busy schedules can chip away at our desired 7 – 9 hours. However, there are many things keeping people up even after they lie down for the day.

One key to a good night’s sleep? The mattress. If your mattress is more than eight years old, or it just doesn’t provide the right amount of support that you need to feel comfortable throughout the night, it may be time to start shopping. Read our mattress buying guide for the basics.

Creating an atmosphere in your bedroom that is conducive to sleep is another way to get the most out of your naps and night time hours. Follow these tips to set a restful mood in your bedroom, and you should be shifting off into dreamland soon.

1. Reduce clutter: Getting rid of clutter can help reduce stress and create a more relaxing feel in your bedroom. The best way to do this? Start with cleaning out things you don’t use. From clothes that haven’t seen the light of day in years to outdated décor and collectibles, getting rid of these unwanted items can help give your space a cleaner and more comfortable feel. Once you’ve completed an inventory on your belongings and filled your give-away boxes, make sure everything left has a dedicated spot. You may need to purchase a new chest of drawers or even a storage bed for extra clothes, linens, accessories and more. Pretty bins and baskets can also give you storage places for your belongings, making the room feel more organized.
2. Stick with a soothing color palette: Want to create a more relaxing feel in your master suite? A design refresh may be in order. Stick with soothing colors, such as light neutrals for walls and large furniture items. Blue is a great color to add through accessories, including wall art and other blue home décor, since it is associated with a calm feeling.
3. Curate cozy: Once you’ve completed the big design items, it’s time to decorate. To create the ultimate peaceful oasis, you can focus on comfortable textures and layering. Look to soft pillows and bedding, as well as rugs to produce the desired effect.
4. Create a distraction free zone: As hard as it is to pull the plug, it may be key to a better night’s sleep. Consider switching off electronics, including TVs, computers and even smart phones in the bedroom.
5. Make it dark: When it comes to sleep, the darker the better. Blackout curtains can help block out light, preventing that early morning gleam from waking you before your alarm clock sounds off in the morning. And speaking of alarm clocks, you may want to cover yours and all other devices that give off a small amount of light, making your bedroom dark and perfect for sleep during the night.

Need more tips for creating a bedroom that promotes better sleep? Read out Best Rest Bedroom blog post.