Your bedroom has the potential to be so much more than just a room outfitted with a mattress and some sheets. It’s a place where you can be yourself, relax, take a load off. A safe space. But if your setup is bringing feelings of chaos instead of serenity, it might be time to explore some upgrades. Taking the time to find the products to make your bedroom your special place is the first step toward the ultimate calming, sleep-friendly space.
And happily, IKEA has a whole selection of bedroom items to help you accomplish just that. Read on for more.
Furniture
This can make or break the function of your room—not surprisingly, since furnishings are generally the largest items there. Start with your bed frame: If squeaks and creaks are keeping you up (or you’re just bored with a lackluster aesthetic), you may want to consider a swap. The soothingly minimalist BRIMNES, MALM and HEMNES frames are IKEA classics for a reason; if you’re looking for a more modern style, TÄLLÅSEN and TUFJORD are both bold choices that provide plenty of support.
Similarly, if your spare room is cluttered — it’s your work-from-home space, your guest room and your winter-clothing storage locker, after all — it might be time to rethink the layout. One option is to replace a bed that takes up too much of the space with a LYCKSELE LÖVÅS sleeper sofa. The result will be the best of both worlds: Your guests will still be able to stay over in comfort, and you’ll have freed up more square feet for the things you use the room for most.
But if a new bed is more change than you’re seeking at the present moment, you can also opt to upgrade smaller furniture pieces. Add a VIHALS nightstand to display your favorite knickknacks, say, or consider a NISSAFORS utility cart for things you want to tuck away. Abandon that chair in the corner that holds all your not-quite-dirty clothes in favor of seating that does double-duty: You can tuck those clothes away inside the TOLKNING bench with storage. (Or go one step further yet, and hang them on a TURBO clothes rack.)
Bedding
As for your linens, duvets are a great choice when you want to keep the weight and warmth of your bedding consistent but also be able to swap in a new color or style whenever you please. They’re simple enough to strip down and throw in the wash after midnight-snack spills or sweaty nights, but if yours has seen better days (or if you’re ready to divorce your standard comforter), it might be time for a fresh one. Options like the STJÄRNBRÄCKA and SMÅSPORRE duvet inserts from IKEA are easy-care options that are equal parts cozy and breathable.
And when you’re coveting the feeling of slipping into a cocoon of freshly laundered sheets, but your current rotation is no longer satisfying, the solution might be a brand-new set. The NATTIJASMIN sheet set is great for its soft cotton and on-trend color options. Then wrap that new duvet insert with the KUNGSCISSUS or BLÅVINDA duvet cover and pillowcase sets for a setup that’s as cozy as it is attractive.
If your current pillow has you tossing and turning, the SKOGSFRÄKEN pillow from IKEA is worth looking into. Its soft, fluffy polyester filling and breathable lyocell/cotton fabric makes for a super-comfy sleeping experience.
Lighting
The latest home trend taking over social media? An aversion to “Big Light”—those bright, cool-toned overhead bulbs that flood a space with a harsh glare. And this is far more than just an aesthetic choice. While lighting has always been a key way to create a warm and inviting environment in interior design, it turns out it can also have a huge impact on the quality of our sleep. According to one 2019 study, exposure to artificial bright light at night can suppress the body’s melatonin production and increase alertness. The wavelength even makes a difference: Blue light from electronics, for instance, may decrease sleep quality and duration.
So turn off that Big Light (and the blue light too) and switch on a mood light: The TERTIAL work lamp from IKEA can throw plenty of pleasant brightness without ruining the vibe, and its vice-style base means you can attach it right to your bedside table for before-bed reading (doomscroll no more!). Just pop in a warm-hued bulb and you’re ready to go. Or pair a cord set from IKEA with the KAPPELAND or RISBYN pendant lampshades for overhead lighting that won’t harsh your mellow.
Carson is a Senior Food and Drink editor for branded content on Delish, Cosmo, Good Housekeeping, and many more. She enjoys improving her home one DIY at a time, creating new desserts, and searching for the best lobster roll on the East Coast. You can find her on Instagram @iseecarsondaily.