Improving sleep quality by creating a tranquil sanctuary at home

Too much light in your bedroom can disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it harder to drift off and all too easy to wake up. From early sunrises to annoying street lamps, take charge of the light in your room to improve sleep quality. 

When it’s time to go to bed, we recommend a very dark space with low light. Blackout curtains are a brilliant choice for creating a pitch black effect, which works alongside your circadian rhythm to help you doze off. 

“A good night’s sleep starts with the right environment, and reducing unwanted light is a big part of that. Curtains and blinds with blackout lining are particularly effective, as they create a darker space that works in harmony with your body’s natural sleep cycle,” says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys.

Not a fan of curtains? Hillarys also offers made to measure blinds in the same blackout fabric, so you can create a super dark bedroom without compromising on your style.

In terms of the best bedroom lighting for your bedroom, make sure you’re opting for low-level warm light bulbs. Amber and red-toned bulbs are typically the most relaxing light colours for sleep. If possible, choose a dimmer switch so that you can adjust the light to suit your sleep.

To create the perfect sleep sanctuary, your bedroom shouldn’t be too hot or too cold. You need to adjust to get the ideal sleeping temperature if you want to ensure a good night’s rest, which is anywhere between 16°C and 18°C.

In hot weather, you can work with outdoor temperature fluctuations to keep your room cooler.

Open your windows in the morning, but shut them a couple of hours before the day reaches its hottest point. Use sheer curtains to filter the sunlight, or block the heat completely with blackout curtains. When the temperature drops again (usually around 4pm), open your windows back up to let the cooler air in. This will all help you to reach the perfect bedroom temperature.

It’s also important that your bedding works with your ideal temperature, rather than against it. The Simba Hybrid® Ultra Mattress, for instance, uses innovative FusionCool™ technology for a fresher, cooler sleep that is designed to prevent you from overheating.

Not ready to switch up your entire mattress? Choose our Hybrid® Topper instead, for a customisable bed that changes with the seasons. This topper features a breathable structure thanks to Simbatex® and CertiPUR® foam layers, making it our top choice for summer bedding. 

In cooler weather, focus on warming up your bedroom for a perfect sleep. Avoid a cold bedroom by wearing socks, upgrading to a higher TOG duvet, and using plenty of cosy throws.

Good bedroom design relies on being conscious of every choice you make, including the fabric you choose.

Opting for breathable bedding maximises air flow to improve temperature regulation throughout the night. Whether you struggle with feeling clammy in cold weather or too hot in the summer, this is a switch you need to make. Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, tells us: "Your body temperature naturally drops as you prepare for sleep, and keeping your bedroom cool supports this process. Breathable bedding helps regulate heat and wick away moisture, preventing you from feeling too hot or clammy during the night. This balance is key to achieving deeper, more restorative sleep." 

Our advice? Look for bedding that blends breathability and comfort for the ultimate good night’s sleep, like the Hybrid™ Duvet. This is made from Simba Renew Bio™ fill, which are championed for their breathability and supersoft, down-like feel.

Pair with our Hybrid™ Pillow, which features an airy, adjustable Nanocube® foam core, alongside a breathable cotton cover and Stratos® ‘cool-touch’ technology, so that you never overheat in your bed. You can also adjust the height of your pillows by adding or removing cubes for a sleep that’s tailored to your preferences.

One of the most overlooked factors in learning how to increase deep sleep is managing unwanted noise. Even low-level background sounds, like somebody whistling or bird song in the morning, can fragment your sleep cycles and reduce the amount of deep sleep you get each night. 

In hot weather, when windows might be left open for ventilation, using earplugs is a simple yet effective way to block out unwanted noise. If you’re not a fan of silence, try a white noise machine instead. This plays a low-level, gentle sound that can mask the more disruptive noises of the outside world.

You can also create a quieter bedroom by adding soft furnishings, such as thick curtains (look for thermal options for the thickest materials), rugs, and wall hangings. These are great for absorbing sounds and reducing echoes in your space.

Creating a bedroom that adapts to your needs is a great way to improve sleep.

Start by layering your window dressings, using a mix of sheer and blackout curtains to ensure you have control over light levels. In the winter, the sheer curtains let the light in for a sunrise wakeup that regulates your circadian rhythm. For those bright summer evenings, blackout curtains ensure you aren’t disturbed. 

“Creating a bedroom that adapts to your needs is key for better sleep. Layering window dressings, such as pairing sheer and blackout curtains, gives you flexibility to let in natural light in the morning while keeping evenings dark and restful, whatever the season,” says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys.

On your bed, create a cosy selection of blankets, cushions, and pillows. This helps you regulate temperature and support, making it easy to adjust your comfort so that you’re not tossing and turning throughout the night. You might even want a Body Pillow, which is well-suited to side sleepers and has our Stratos® ‘cool-touch’ technology for tactile comfort.

You can also layer your bedding seasonally. Opt for breathable cotton sheets in warmer months, then add flannel or brushed cotton sheets in cooler weather. 

The goal is to give yourself options so you can customise your bedroom in seconds, ensuring you stay comfortable for a better night’s sleep.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to sleep longer and more deeply can be achieved with a few simple changes. Sometimes, a simple rework of your bedroom can be the change you need to get a good night’s rest, and we hope these tips have given you lots of sleep-friendly inspiration.