Deadlines, traffic, meetings, demands – how much can a person take each day?

The majority of us live a fast-paced life as we try to catch up with all our work obligations while allowing time for family and social obligations and somehow cramming in all the other miscellaneous tasks.

With this kind of schedule it’s only natural that when you go home you want a place where you can relax and forget the stress.

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary – the place you go to sleep in order to refresh your body and mind. Since the ambience of the room affects the quality of your sleep and restfulness, it’s important to create an oasis of calm.

Take the five senses into account and ensure you are paying due homage to all of them; an imbalance will cause them to jar and the restful location that you dream of will not come to fruition.

The look of the room is a major component of how it affects your mood. If the current style of your bedroom does nothing to help you relax, it’s time to change it. This doesn’t mean that you have to buy new bedroom furniture or make drastic modifications; some small (and sometimes not so small) changes can do the trick.

Start by eliminating all electronics from your room. Remove any televisions, laptops and desktop computers. Your bedroom shouldn’t double as your office or television room because you will lose the relaxation aspect that you’re aiming to achieve.

Keep your work files in your study or living room and your laundry items in your washroom or bathroom – the bedroom should be solely for you.

Have a massive clear up; throw away anything that is destined for the bin and find appropriate places for whatever remains. Perhaps it’s time for items to find a new place in the house and move out of the bedroom if they are not in line with the harmonious feel of the room.

Make sure everything is organised and in place: don’t leave stacks of books lying around or a cluttered dressing table and don’t clutter your bedroom with knick knacks. Too many distractions will result in chaos.

If your bedroom suite is modern, comprising metallic textiles and bright colours, tone it down by opting for bed linens in a natural or soft colour.

However, if you have the option to use natural fabrics like wood and wicker, add them to your ensemble.

The colour of your walls is an important feature in setting the tone, so choose muted colours like soft blues and greens or earthy tones. Bright colours like orange and yellow should be left for other rooms of the house as they do not promote a relaxing environment. Avoid dark colours as they can make your bedroom feel oppressive.

If painting all the walls isn’t an option, try hanging pictures in those colours, or find beautiful pieces of fabric within this colour range that can act as wall art.

Surround yourself with pictures and fabrics you like and which evoke happiness; hang up photographs of friends or a painting by your favourite artist.

Natural light is very important for a room as it is a major mood influencer. Let in as much natural light as possible and keep artificial light to a minimum.

If privacy is a concern, venetians or vertical blinds can be adjusted to allow light in while blocking off a view into the room.

When it comes to artificial light, use bedside lamps to keep the lighting dim. Switch on the main light as little as possible as it’s often too bright to evoke tranquility – or install a dimmer.

The sounds that surround you impact your mood. Play some soft, peaceful music, or nature sounds (if that’s your thing) to stimulate your auditory senses. If you live in a busy street it might be worth investing in double glazed windows or doors. While the initial price may be costly you’ve just upgraded your lifestyle as well as the value of your house.

Ensure that the textures you’re standing on or sleeping on are comfortable, allowing you to enjoy the way they feel. If your bedroom rugs are harsh on your bare feet, you’ve created a barrier between yourself and the calm you want to feel within your bedroom.

Always choose materials that are inviting to touch. Make sure that your pillows are plump and your duvet is soft – the sense of touch is very important. If your bedroom is large enough for an armchair, find a very comfortable one and position an up lighter next to it; this will be the ideal place for you to sit and read your book or magazine while enjoying a cup of tea.

Smell is the quickest way to bring on a mood change. Equip your retreat with scents that you find pleasant using scented candles or air fresheners. Ventilate the room regularly to allow the air to change and remain fresh.

Avoid eating in your bedroom – especially items like crisps or chocolates which can leave you feeling bloated and greasy and which may create a mess in your room.

Once you’ve achieved your goal of creating a bedroom retreat be sure to maintain it. A mess will ruin the calming mood of your space; spend five minutes each morning tidying it up so that you can return to your bedroom sanctuary in the evening.

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