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Given that our bedrooms are our safe space to relax, conduct our hobbies and do essentially anything else, it isn’t much of a secret that the way these spaces are designed can affect our health. Whether we are fostering a sense of calm, or spiking our energy levels, our bedrooms hold a lot of power when it comes to sleep, or getting amped up and ready for the day.

With this in mind, it’s interesting to know that we can ‘hack’ the power of our bedroom’s effect on our health to remain positive and promote a happier and healthier lifestyle. Whether we work on adjusting the colour of our walls or decor, reduce the amount of natural light or cut back on sound, there is a lot we can do to our bedrooms that impacts our health.

Let’s take a look below at how your bedroom’s design can affect your health, and how to hack it!

Temperature and Alertness

One of the first things to keep in mind is that the bedroom is one of the easier and more affordable spaces to heat and cool. Given that it is likely a lot smaller than the living room, you’re able to quickly heat or cool the bedroom to your liking, and this gives you the chance to do two things – either warm yourself up and relax yourself, or cool yourself down and amp yourself up for the day ahead.

As humans we respond quite well and quite quickly to temperature change, and so if you’re looking to get ready for bed, or for a relaxing night at home, then keeping your bedroom warmed up will help you out with this.

Adjacently, getting ready to go out or for the day ahead, you’ll be able to chill your room to get the heart going and to kick start yourself for the fast-paced day ahead. For those who work from home, you can also use this to your advantage in your home office space.

Sleep Can be Initiated by the Bedroom 

With our sleep being one of the biggest factors affecting our health, it is imperative to keep in mind that a bedroom which isn’t designed well enough for us to head to bed is going to have a negative impact on our everyday life.

As you will know, a bedroom with too much light, sound or even jarring and bright colours can wreak havoc on our sleep routine, and so it’s important to do all you can to reverse these issues. For example, keeping your bed from being too directly impacted by outside light is a good place to start, and so moving it to face a wall and investing in some blackout curtains is a good idea.

With this noted, keep in mind that a lot of sleep issues really can be remedied by bedroom design and so we have some tips for you below:

* Moving light sources out of view
* Choosing neutral colour tones
* Softening hard surfaces to reduce sound echo
* Investing in a well-sized mattress
* Furnish the bedroom for sleep

Added to these tips, making sure you have the correct sleep-aids for any conditions you have like sleep apnea is a consideration you should make when organising your bedroom. With a correctly-designed bedroom you’ll have space for a CPAP machine, for example.

Cramped Space Causes Stress 

Another key point to consider when it comes to bedroom design is to keep an eye out for avenues where clutter builds up. If you have a bedroom that has a lot going on in it, and nowhere to store your possessions, then you’re going to find yourself on edge and rather stressed simply because you’re living and sleeping in a cramped space.

Though you aren’t expected to throw everything out, it is a good idea to take a rather minimalist and ‘clean’ approach to our bedroom design if you’re looking to cut out stress and keep your health in the green.

One final thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to your bedroom’s clutter, layout of your furniture plays a big role here. We understand that not all of our readers live in spacious homes, and with apartments and smaller homes out there seemingly a little more difficult to de-clutter, we ask that you consider a more calculated approach to styling and furnishing a small bedroom to reduce your chances of seeing clutter-related stress.

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Lighting your bedroom correctly can play a great role in your circadian rhythm, and help ultimately contribute to better sleep. To ensure you’re doing everything you can get to get a good night’s sleep, you need to invest in tools that work for your space

Everything from finding the best mattress for your sleep position to understanding the difference between ambient and accent lighting can help – here’s a quick guide to help you through the basics:

Types Of Bedroom Lights

When choosing between bedroom lights, you’ll find you have a couple of different options. Ambient lighting allows you to bring natural brightness to your room as a whole and comes most commonly in the form of your ceiling fixtures, which can be as grand as a chandelier, or as simple as mount light.

Unlike ambient lighting, which is more generic, task lighting is much more focused lighting, which can help with specific goals you might have for your bedroom, such as getting ready or doing something work-related. Task bedroom lights can come in the form of nightstand lights, which you can switch on if you want to do a little light reading before winding down.

Finally, accent bedroom lights are used when you want to pull attention to a certain space in your home. Some adjustable bed frames, for instance, might have under-bed lighting, that can help bring a light glow to your bed, or be a subtle enough light to get up and grab something if you need it late at night.

Finding A Sleep Set-Up That Works For You

If you’re trying to optimize your bedroom for better sleep, there are a lot of ways you can do this without having to compromise on the overall look and feel of your bedroom. Adjustable bed frames are a great option for those looking to add a little extra lighting to their room, without the added bulk of extra lamps or bedroom furniture.

Most adjustable bed frames will come with a lighting option that is usually under the base of your bed. Along with this feature, adjustable bed frames also make a great choice for anyone looking for more customized comfort in their sleep through the night.

Apart from finding a good base, whether that be in the form of an adjustable bed frame or not, ensuring you have the best mattress for a good night’s sleep is crucial for better rest. The best mattress for your sleep is going to be able to strike the right balance between support and comfort for a proper night’s rest.

To ensure you’re getting the best mattress for your sleep, one of the key things to do is make sure you purchase something that comes with a trial period. Since finding the best mattress for your unique sleep needs can vary vastly from person to person, it’s best to test it out for a longer period of time to understand whether or not you’re responding well to it.

Whether it’s finding the best mattress, an adjustable bed frame that works for your space, or simply doing a little rearranging when it comes to your bedroom lights, finding the right balance between comfort, functionality, and interest in your bedroom is key to creating a space that is truly unique to you. With the help of these basics, you’re going to be able to achieve a bedroom that is cozier than ever – you just need to switch those lights on!

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Their primary benefits are extra space, comfort, and privacy for the homeowner or a tenant such as a grandparent, inlaw, or renter. Mother-in-law suites also offer much flexibility in design, as they can be constructed to meet the wants and needs of the homeowner or tenant, like installing a ductless heating and cooling system. Read below to learn more about designing a mother-in-law suite for your home!

Check Local Rules and Regulations

Before moving forward with your mother-in-law suite, familiarize yourself with local rules and regulations. These suites are subject to local zoning laws and building codes, which must be taken into account throughout the construction or renovation and design process. There may be restrictions or specifications regarding size, location, building materials, and other areas that you must follow in order for your suite to pass any necessary inspections. You should also research your insurance policy. If the suite is not covered in your homeowner’s insurance, you may have to purchase an additional policy.

Attached or Detached?

Mother-in-law suites can be either attached or detached from your home. An attached or interior suite is usually a basement or attic, but one can be located anywhere within the house, as long as it provides the necessary space and privacy separate from the main living area. Detached suites will be located on the property in a stand-alone structure such as a garage or smaller house.

Choosing between an attached or detached suite is one of the first decisions you must make in the process. While there may be some overlying similarities between the two styles, each suite must be constructed and designed differently based on your specific building situation.

For example, you can decide to renovate an unfinished basement or attic for an attached mother-in-law suite. Conversely, building a free-standing structure is an excellent option if you have adequate space on your property. You could also renovate an existing free-standing structure on your property, such as a garage or shed.

You may require different resources, materials, and professional help depending on whether you are building a free-standing structure or simply renovating an existing area, so be sure to have a clear plan in mind before moving forward with the project.

Consider the Area’s Usage

Mother-in-law suites are primarily used as dwellings, but versatility is one of their main benefits. Each suite can be designed with different uses in mind. Mother-in-law suites usually feature a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and kitchen or kitchenette, depending on your space. When designing the area, be sure to consider your suite’s usage. This will help you maximize the space to create the ideal layout and area.

If you are designing your suite as a residential area for a family member, be sure to consider their age. If they are older, such as a grandparent or in-law, they may require special accommodations. For example, it will be more convenient for them if the residence is spread out evenly across one level and does not feature stairs, a loft, or any other inconvenience.

You may also want to consider installing a ramp, railings, and other convenient accommodations. If they are a young adult, these additions may not be necessary and there are more design freedoms. A loft, for example, could create a more pleasant and homey atmosphere for a younger person.

Even though they are primarily used as separate living spaces, mother-in-law suites can serve other purposes within your home as well. Without a permanent or temporary tenant, the extra space can be used for storage. Other common uses include home gyms, offices, and hobby or craft studios. These additional uses must be accounted for throughout the design process and allow for many flexible options and ideas.

Rental Properties

Some opt to use their mother-in-law suites as short- or long-term rental properties to generate additional income. A long-term rental involves a tenant signing a lease and paying rent, utilities, and other expenses in exchange for residence in your suite. Short-term rentals are typically for vacationers, tourists, or anybody in need of temporary housing. Posting your suite on Airbnb is an excellent way to collect income, especially if you live in or near an urban area with high demand for hotels.

If you are planning to rent out your suite, be sure to factor this into the design process. Certain amenities and accommodations such as a full kitchen, living space, or an additional bedroom/sleeping area will be more appealing to prospective renters. Renters may also prefer an enhanced aesthetic through decorations and artwork. You will also need to check local rules and regulations, as there may be specific guidelines and requirements for short- and/or long-term rental properties.

Utilities

When designing your mother-in-law suite, you must account for utilities. Your options are largely dependent on whether you are designing an attached or detached suite. You can likely extend your home’s utilities for an interior suite, while stand-alone structures may require additional construction work to account for necessary utilities such as gas, electric, and water.

A heating and cooling system is another specific required utility that may create a logistical problem during the design process. If your home already has a central air system, it is expensive and intrusive to extend ductwork to a new area of the home. Your central air system could also not reach any stand-alone structures.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution. Ductless mini split heating and cooling systems are an excellent way to heat and cool any interior or detached mother-in-law suite. With a simplified installation process, you won’t have to worry about the costly process of extending your central air system. They are available in single and multi-zone systems, meaning they can heat or cool suites of single or multiple rooms.

Mini splits are also highly efficient, which leads to significantly lower energy costs and consumption. Additionally, these systems create a healthier and safer indoor environment by removing harmful airborne bacteria, dust, dirt, debris, moisture, and more.

While there are several general guidelines you can follow, there is no one specific way to design a mother-in-law suite. Assess your current situation to find out what works best for you, and don’t forget to get creative and have fun with it!