Eve Sleep : how to make a dreamy sleep sanctuary

Ever wondered how some people get their sleep sanctuary just right? Or have you tried all of the tricks in the book and still can't seem to nod off? If this sounds familiar, you've come to the right place. Check out our top tips for making a dreamy sleep sanctuary.

why the bedroom rules

Did you know that you spend a whopping third of your life sleeping? So it makes perfect sense to create a sleep sanctuary that gets you in the mood for a fantastic night's slumber.

Between balancing a busy work schedule, getting the kids to school on time (yes, even home school) and all those extra bits in-between, your brain and body can really get overworked meaning you're forever counting sheep. But there is a secret to winding down at night: creating yourself a snooze-inducing, stress-free sleep zone.

How'd you do it, then? First thing's first: banish work from the bedroom. Our sleep expert Dave Gibson explains why: 'Working from home encourages a blurring of boundaries. Always keep your work and home, relaxation and sleep space as separate and as distinct as possible. The bedroom should be for sleep and cuddles only.'

That's not all, though. Read on for more tips on how to create your very own cozy haven for sleep.

the bed is king

The hero of any irresistible sleep sanctuary is, of course, the bed. You know, one that you can't wait to dive into, night after night. And the partners in crime to a fabulous bed are fresh bedding and plumped-up pillows.

Whether relaxing pastels or zen-like neutrals are more your style, clambering into clean, crispbed linenis one of the nicest feelings in the world. And it's been proven tohelp us sleep better, too. So whether you prefer squishy and softcottonor light and breezylinen, cocoon-like comfort is ideal for catching precious zzz's.

This next bit goes without saying. Resting your head on a sublimely comfypillowat the end of the day is a must (you know, one that makes you go 'ahhhhhh'). Finding the perfect pillow's no mean feat though, which is where our handypillow buying guidecomes in.

Really though, the Top Trump card for a long, deep slumber is a top notch mattress. Use our niftymattress comparisonto discover the perfect one for you.

out of sight…

Do the words 'tidy your room!' ever ring in your ears? Us too. But we have to admit that a neat and organised room really does contribute to better quality zzz's. In fact, a study conducted by the clever folks at New York's St. Lawrence University has revealed that a messy bedroom can lead to a poor night's sleep and worries.

Yup, it turns out that people who have more clutter filling the open space in their bedrooms often take longer to fall asleep than those with neat and tidy rooms, leading to increased tiredness.

So perhaps it's time to upgrade that floordrobe. You could choose to only keep the items that spark joy. Or you could pop everything intounder-bed storage, an ottoman bench or bedside table and sort it out some other time. We know what we'd do…

add the finishing touches

Now you've created your sleep sanctuary, the last thing to do is add some relaxing goodies that will have you looking forward to bedtime every night.

You could fill your room with asoothing scent.A top tip from our sleep expert Dave is to 'save certain scents only for the bedroom' so that your brain associates them with sleep rather than work. Clever, huh?

And if a whirring mind is keeping you awake, aweighted blanket could ease you into the fabulous sleep you need to rise and shine. That and a good book could spell outrageously great sleep success.