Design Your Way to Better Sleep

Yes, you can design your way to better sleep! This week, I’m doing an intimate session with ACU Co-Lab on Good Sleep Design. In honour of this, I thought I’d share my insights with anyone interested—not just the people who had an hour to spare.

Yes yes, we all know we should leave the phone in another room, go to bed earlier, sleep longer, and live in a quiet location. But let’s be real—most of us know all these things already, and still don’t follow them. Why? Because life happens. We’re set in our ways, or we’ve made compromises that make sense for our version of a modern, happy life. So in this blog, you won’t hear me preach what you already know (at least, I hope so). Instead, I want to draw your attention to the design choices—small and big—that can help set you up for the best possible sleep.

Here are my 5 design secrets for divine sleep:

1. Switch to Sleep-Friendly Light - Especially in the Bathroom!

I’m sure you brush your teeth before bed. And I’m also sure that, like most people, you’re standing under a cold white or blue-toned bathroom light when you do it. Not ideal. That kind of light tells your brain, “It’s morning!”—not the message we want at bedtime.

Solution? Swap out some of your bathroom bulbs for warm white or even amber/red ones. Trust me—it makes brushing your teeth feel like winding down, not gearing up.

In fact, in last month’s newsletter, I featured bathroom sconces as one of the Neglected Necessities of daily life. Sconces (or “wall lights,” as we Europeans say) don’t just look good—they support your circadian rhythm. A soft, low-Kelvin bulb (think 2700K or lower) in a warm-toned shade can work wonders.

Even if you don’t wear makeup or spend long in the bathroom, a good sconce setup is an investment in comfort—and better sleep.

2. Prioritise Your Mattress

We spend about a third of our lives in bed - A THIRD! So, logically, your mattress should be where the bulk of your bedroom budget goes.

If you share a bed, don’t suffer in silence. Choose a mattress that suits both your sleep styles—or consider two single mattresses side by side, topped with a quality shared topper. Most mattress retailers, like Hästens, have options that allow you to be a back-sleeper, while your partner can comfortably be on their front (just us..?). Sleep should be comfortable for both of you AND still look good.

Hastens 2000T Bed in Blue Check

Did you know that Hästens opened their first showroom in Sydney just last year? It’s a fabulous showroom and I promise walking in there, you’ll feel like snuggling up for a nap!

Source: https://hastens.com/en/beds#vividus

3. Keep the Temperature Just Right

Your body naturally cools down at night to promote deep sleep. Help it along! And no, I’m not talking about blasting the aircon on your face, but create a natural airflow through your bedroom - keep the door open, if possible, and windows.

Studies also show that sleeping without clothes on helps the body more quickly reach the ideal temperature for deep sleep.

That said, please don’t feel cold! If you run cold, snuggle under a good-quality duvet made from wool, down, or another natural insulator. Your bedding should help regulate your body temperature, not trap it. You’ll have a much better sleep that way, than sleeping in a warm room.

4. Choose Your Textile with Care

Speaking of temperature and materials, the textile on our bed matters! Both sheets and covers can improve your temperature and comfort.

We want breathable bedding, i.e. natural fibres like cotton or linen are our best friends!

In summer, opt for linen: it’s breathable, naturally antibacterial, and feels deliciously crisp. AND you can get away with not ironing it and it still looks amazing (win!). In winter, cotton offers a bit more warmth and softness. Avoid synthetic blends—they don’t breathe well and can trap heat and moisture, which your body doesn’t love during the night.

5. The Colour of Sleep

Finally, we need to talk colour. Yes, the colours of your bedroom, and home for that matter, makes a difference to our wellbeing.

The colour of your room—and your sheets—has a subtle but real effect on your sleep. Cool tones like soft blues, muted greens, gentle greys, or warm neutrals like beige and off-white create a calming environment. These colours subconsciously tell your brain, “You’re safe. You can rest now.”

Red, on the other hand, is a stimulating colour. It’s used in stop signs and warnings for a reason. It energises. So unless you want your brain to stay in “alert” mode, steer clear of fiery reds in your sleep space.

Better sleep doesn’t have to start with drastic lifestyle changes. Sometimes, it starts with a new light bulb, a mattress upgrade, or a rethink of your sheets. These small, mindful design decisions can shift how your body and brain wind down—and help you wake up feeling genuinely rested.

Now, lay your head on the pillow and have sweet dreams,

X Your favourite Danish designer in Sydney