In my constant and never-ending mission to get a good 4 minutes of sleep each and every night (I'm very strict about this) I pitched a fit and moved everything in my bedroom around to make it more ... sleepable. And wakeable. Just more able.
For anyone new here, half of my blog is a series of posts where I complain about a room in my house, move everything around in it, and LOVE IT for exactly 3.5 months.
At that time I wake up one morning with a fresh perspective of disgust and hatred towards it.
And repeat. For a lifetime.
The last time I complained about a room of mine was when I Took a Sledgehammer to My Living Room. That was 3 months ago.
As such, you have exactly 2 weeks until the next installment of I have a powerful hatred of everything I see in my living room. My furniture rearranging has always been more regular than my period.
Speaking of periods. I don't have those anymore.
What I *do* have are sleeps that are as peaceful as wearing shorts woven out of fire ants & corn syrup. This has been going on for years. I'm constantly in a state of Sure, I'll try that! to make my sleep better.
Please don't recommend sleeping naked even though I know the majority of you reading this right now do sleep naked.
I did come up with a 3 tier bedtime routine a few years ago that has made sleeping much better though.
My 3 Tips for Instantly Better Sleep
The motivation for this particular brand of bedroom crazy was waking up one weekday at the crack of 10:45 a.m.
I slept through 2 alarms, the usual morning gaggle of school kids and the cutoff point for ordering breakfast at any chain restaurant.
I have no idea what time I fell asleep (for the first time) the night before. I'm a whiz at falling asleep. I usually fall asleep 7 or 8 times a night.
For 20 years I've known the layout of my bedroom was wrong but I'd convinced myself there was no other way to arrange the furniture.
Also, I can't get rid of any of my bedroom furniture because the only way to get it out is through an old window that's hidden behind drywall.
I know this because to get the bedroom furniture into the house I had to smash out the drywall, hire a moving company to shove it up onto their moving truck parked in my neighbour's driveway and slide it in the window. At which point I had to put up a new sheet of drywall, tape it, sand it & repaint.
3.5 months later I was sick of the bedroom suite.
So there's that.
This is the before layout about 15 minutes into the rearranging. NOTE: Many of these photos were taken with a wide angle lens so the room looks huge.
The bedroom measures 11' x 16'.
k, but seriously why do this?
Light
In the summer from 9 at night until 2 in the afternoon, my bedroom is dark. In the winter it's always dark. There is no sunrise dancing across my sheets tickling my consciousness until I giddily awake to greet the day.
Solution: Reposition the bed so it faces a window. Any window. But preferably an Eastern facing window because that is where the happy sun apparently rises. I wouldn't know.
My Body Literally Told Me To
I often wake up in the morning lying straight across the width of my bed. I do a 90° counter clockwise turn at some point in the night so that I'm facing East. True story. I imagine it's a very graceful.
Solution: Make the bed face the way my body naturally wants to lay.
Updating
Because of the whole can't remove the furniture without ripping out a wall thing I'm keeping the furniture. Did I mention I also had the bed custom made out of 2 single beds? They were cut into pieces and then reformed into a bed that is neither a queen NOR a double sized bed.
Because I can't get rid of this stuff, I wanted to update the bedroom with some elements of this era. Other than the Ikea bedside lamps everything in the room is old. Actually they're probably 15 years old themselves.
Let the rearranging begin
This isn't even a proper before shot of my bedroom. I've taken out some accessories. Picture it the same but with more junk on the dresser to the left and piles of books on the floor.
Speaking of books ...
First the bed got moved into the only other position possible in the room, which happens to face a window the size of a cereal box. Not even a Costco sized cereal box; a regular one. You can't see the window from this shot but the window does face East.
Once I knew the bed was going to work in this position I spent 6 hours lugging and sliding other things around. The tallboy dresser got moved outside of my bedroom into a small alcove at the top of my stairs where it almost fits.
I went through the selection of eccentric lamps in my basement and brought 2 modern, brass 70's lamps upstairs.
For a variety of reasons the bed can't be properly centred under the sloped ceiling. It's O.K. It'll only bother you when you look at it.
I then carried a 55 lb arched mirror up my winding 26" wide staircase because the room still wasn't right and neither was I. I was getting anxious, angry, sweaty & stupid but there was no stopping the wicked witch of the rest.
I was going to create a bedroom I could sleep and wake up in like a coffee commercial dammit or I would die trying. Death by redecorating is probably underreported.
The big mirror reflects even more light into the general bed area plus it tempers all the old stuff. As do the brass lamps.
This isn't a working fireplace, but the bump out behind it is my chimney so putting a mantle there makes sense.
But wait ...
That is a 12 hour long YouTube video of a fire playing on a flatscreen television set inside the mantle. That's O.K., go scroll back to the previous photo. You can see the small red power light of the television around the right lower corner of what appears to be a black hole.
When the television is off you don't see or notice anything. It's just dark. Other than the power light.
One press on the remote and it's a pretty convincing fireplace complete with crackling sounds.
Which I can see, along with the cereal box window from bed.
On the fireplace mantle are 2 of my favourite paintings. One of my house done by Jody Joseph, the other a rural landscape scene I got at a garage sale for a few dollars.
By the bed an antique rug I got from my friend Robbie, and a vase of honeysuckle. Whatever flower is in season will be there in that vase. I'm contemplating a newer rug and will definitely be replacing the Ikea lamps.
I also flipped my mattress and box spring, put new percale sheets on the bed and got myself set up for the Sleepy-time trifecta that first night.
The Sleepy-time Trifecta
Freshly laundered sheets 🛏️ Shower before bed 🚿 Freshly laundered pajamas
And then just before I went to bed it started to rain, turning bedtime into the mythical Sleepy-Time Superfecta. Sheets, shower, pajamas, rain. Sleep narnia.
In the very early morning a streak of light slipped across my face and I opened my eyes, smiled - and went right back to sleep.
Next up? A new mattress, a big cartoon hammer to konk me out at night and a singing George Michael hologram to wake me up before I go go back to sleep.
I like the feel of the bedroom a lot more now and I do sleep much better. I just don't sleep well.
Mark 3.5 months from today on your calendars folks, and we will reconvene.
Beautifully done! I just wonder if you will have trouble getting that new mattress up those stairs! Sleep well, my friend…
I'll have to get a mattress in a box, but they sell mattresses in a box that have springs now. I have never liked foam mattresses. They feel like sleeping in 5 day old pudding. ~ karen!
Plus those foam mattresses hold heat! I can't sleep well either if I'm hot.
I have long had sleep issues. I blame it on being the child in a very dysfunctional family where fighting at night was the norm. Other things happened as well but best not spoken about in polite company.
Then becoming a mom, flipped some sort of switch in my brain which allows you to hear even the slightest sound coming from another planet if it involves your child.
Add to that, many years of being "on call" at what ever hospital I worked at for any emergency where an MRI is needed. I swore that I would be that tech who always completely woke up when the phone rang and could be counted on to not fall back asleep and have to be called again to get my services.
So by the time I had my major life altering hormone changes added to the other stuff, it meant I rarely slept many hours a night. Certainly not enough to sustain a healthy mind, body and spirit.
So I learned a few tricks over the years. Melatonin does work for me and has consistently. I still occasionally forget to take mine and find myself struggling to fall asleep at all...
Another great trick is one I learned just recently...especially during the summer...drink a large glass of really ice cold water. I theorize that this helps lower my core body temperature just enough to help convince my brain that it is time to sleep. Yes, I will have to get up during the night to pee, but no more than I usually do...
And then of course, as many also rely on, keep my fans and AC going. I must have moving air to sleep and the cooler room allows me to be able to still keep a blanket or spread over me which provides just enough weight on my body to somehow soothe my muscle tension down a bit...just like my weighted blanket in the winter does
I would drink the ice water if my bathroom wasn't on a different floor, lol. Pfft. maybe I'll give it a shot anyway. It makes sense! ~ karen
Maybe get one of those small dorm type mini fridges for your bedroom for ice cubes and snacks!
Honestly, when I went away last November I said to myself, THIS is living (having a mini fridge right at the end of the bed.) ~ karen!
Use a large jug (with a lid) and a funnel. Just remember to rinse it out every day. My brother hogs the bathroom and I have bladder issues, so... Unfortunately I had to get rid of mine, need a new one. Used a large QT cup to make the funnel, kept it in a zip bag. Also put the jug on an 8inch tall stepstool to make using it easier. I know, I know, TMI! lol. But when you gotta.... 😅
My two cents. Ditch the suitcases and center the bedside table in the space.
Soften all the hard finishes with an upholstered chair instead of the current white piece.
I don't think I want to do that. ~ karen!
HAHAHAHA
I have found certain situations to give me claustrophobia as I get older, even if I’m not actually in it - an MRI machine, under the old family cottage, I can’t breathe even thinking about them, and thinking about laying under that sloped ceiling 🫨 I couldn’t do it.
You could. Well, I think you could, lol. Even though the bed is alcoved, the room was actually more claustrophobic the other way. ~ karen!
After 20 yrs. of sleeping in an East-West direction, I don't think I can change. And we have a skylight which allows a full moon to shine in on our happy selves at least 9 mo. of the year.
I'd love to have a skylight/window placement that provides a view of the major meteor showers. :) ~ karen!
Love the new arrangement. But IDK the desk and white modern chair. Do you need that?
Yeah that chair bothers my esthetics a bit as well. But to each their own, I guess. I doubt anyone would think that much of some of my furniture choices..yet they give me comfort
Yep I do. It a) balances the length of the room and b) adds much needed white/brightness. It also provides a really nice initial view of the room (which you can see) when ascending the stairs to the second floor. ~ karen!
You sure have a lot of self-imposed fun!
🤣🤣 I am so commitment phobic that I have put castors on most of my furniture. I think 3.5 months is a marathon effort!
I actually think the living room might make it past 3.5 months! Other than my cruddy sofa I still really, really like it. ~ karen!
Love, love, LOVE this! The bed facing the fireplace is a natural fit, and the TV in the fireplace is sheer genius! Don't change this arrangement; it's perfect!
Thanks Louise. It feels right. :) ~ karen!
Good morning sunshine!!
Your bedroom furniture is beautiful and having the bed positioned across from the fireplace makes sense.
Wondering if you could flip flop the dresser and your desk. Having the desk under the window would not only show the off the desk but think of how many day dreams while working will be fun.
Hi Kristina! The dresser is too large and bulky to go at the end of the bed. And I don't actually use the desk as a place to work but it does have good storage! ~ karen
Love, love, love this post!
The rearrangement looks great and is inspiring me to take a new look around the house and see what trouble I can get into by rearranging, adding and deleting!
Thanks anotherbunch of great ideas!
Thanks Catherine! ~ karen
I almost sprayed tea all over my keyboard when I read, "there was no stopping the wicked witch of the rest." Too funny!
I'm very funny when I'm sleep deprived. ~ karen!
May I say that you are indeed a dynamo of design enrichment. Quite eclectric and tasteful. Hope the new look provides the rest you seek.
It has helped a moderate amount but at least while I sit straight up at 4 in the morning I'm glaring at something delightful. ~ karen!
Absolutely wonderful! Gorgeous. Is your bed natural cherry? Your sleep pattern mimics mine;are we twins?love+thanks.. to you, karenlouise
I sleep divorced my hubby 7 yrs ago after 43 yrs of his sleeping thru waking me with leg “shudders” and elbow drops on my face. My 9x10 room faces south, but a mirror in the sw corner reflects the morning sun right in my face. Night table, full bed, lingerie chest and a chest of drawers, with only the north and east walls big enough for the bed. Cuz there's that 48" south facing window, and closet and entry doors. Turning the mattress is a real agility test—which I do monthly to stay in shape. Lol
Mattress flipping is honestly one of my most dreaded chores. ~ karen!
Although I love the desk, move it out of the bedroom. No one should have a desk in the bedroom. Connotes work. When I was in my 50s, I discovered sleep masks. When the sun wakes me up at 5 or 6, I put on the mask and sleep in.
And here I am wiggling around trying to eek out an inch of sun. There is quite literally nowhere else to put the desk in this house. And I'm not willing to get rid of it at this point. However, it isn't a desk that really screams work to me so much as, Servant, you can place my breakfast tray right there, thank you. ~ karen!
I'm with you on the desk. Can you train your dog as a food bellhop (room service)?
That's the strategic plan! ~ karen
I use the sleep masks to help get to sleep in the first place. It's almost never there when I wake up... I've found it in some pretty strange places in the morning (or middle of the night) lol!
(Under my pillow, by my feet, on the floor, under my butt... Lol.)
it’s beautiful!
Thanks Dawn! It feels much better. ~ karen!
As a lifelong insomniac I totally understand needing the magical rituals to sleep. All it takes is one husband who forgot to put on deodorant for my entire night to be ruined.
I completely understand and validate you. ~ karen!
Lol. You sound like mom. "Omg! He didn't shower! Aack!" 😂
Gorgeous! 10/10, would absolutely sleep here. I'm in the same boat, my pretty crappy ability to sleep is significantly improved with east-facing windows nearby. I'm also SO impressed with that fireplace, gotta go figure out where on earth in my tiny bedroom I can squeeze a mantle...
It is surprisingly effective as a fake fireplace! ~ karen
I changed rooms for sleeping because, over time, the previous room felt stuffy. Would moving to a different bedroom (or "sleep room") be more relaxing?
Probably. But there isn't another one, lol. It's a 2 bedroom and the other room is smaller and my office. ~ karen!