The bedroom is the inner sanctum of a home, the place where you go to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Because a bedroom is not a common area which will be seen by family and friends, many people scrimp on decorating the bedroom and go with a simple Hollywood bed fame, skipping headboards or any other sort of ornamentation. They have the basics – a nightstand or two, a dresser and perhaps a chair.

When you think about it you spend almost a third of your life in bed – don’t you deserve to treat yourself at least as well as you might treat company? It does not cost much to outfit a bedroom in a style that is warm and welcoming; creating a bedroom that is a reflection of your personal style can be a rewarding effort that pays dividends for years to come.

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If your mattress is a bit tired you can easily improve conditions by investing in a foam or feather mattress pad or mattress enhancer – these help to extend mattress life and provide a better sleeping surface. New bedding is a fast and easy way to change the look of a room and you don’t need to be a designer or interior decorator to create an amazing look. Most bedding ensembles include a bed skirt, quilt or comforter and one or two pillows shams, all of which have been selected to coordinate perfectly.

A net canopy enhances any bed – the simple mesh netting can be draped at the head or foot of the bed or gathered to one side as a swag; bed canopies add drama and romance to the look of a room and are easy to install in minutes. A bed throw is another way to add visual interest to a mundane bedroom.

Often, when you can’t sleep or don’t feel you’re getting good quality sleep, then you’re largely told it’s your fault.

Okay, so that’s quite a harsh way of putting it – but think about it. You’re told that you have to ensure your room isn’t too cold. That you have to practice good sleep hygiene, going to bed and getting up at the same time on weekends as you would during the week. You’re told that you have to ensure there’s no light in your room, or…

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All of it amounts to the same thing: you’re causing your sleep problems, what you’re doing is responsible. It’s tough to take, especially if you have followed all of the above and you’re still spending your days yawning or your nights tossing and turning. Sleep is such a basic, fundamental thing – how have you managed to be bad at it? Why is none of the advice working?

You might be struggling for answers because… you’re not doing anything wrong. Your sleep hygiene might be impeccable. You might be doing all the things that you should be doing, in the right order, night after night – but you’re still not sleeping as you should be.

That’s not to discount the general insomnia advice you will see floating around. For a lot of people, the cause of their problem is nothing more than bad habits and problematic decisions. It could be drinking too much coffee during the day or just not having the right mattress to sleep on – simple problems with easy remedies. In these cases, the fix is relatively simple; all it takes is switching to non-caffeinated beverages or considering interesting advice from Mattress-Guides.net on next steps to take with your bedding arrangements. Sometimes, that is all it takes. On the other occasions (or if those steps haven’t worked), something else might be responsible: your health.

There are certain health conditions that can force insomnia to cross from a regular annoyance and into a chronic problem. Now, this isn’t going to be one of those infamous internet articles where you look up something benign and are immediately told your death is imminent. They’re no fun for anyone. All of the conditions below are lifestyle damaging, but they’re not going to kill you.

The problem with these conditions is that they tend to be hidden beneath the surface. If the general symptoms are “tired” or “prone to headaches” when you look up a condition, it’s impossible to see a difference between that and normal life. And, to be frank, chronic insomnia might indeed be idiopathic. However, if there is something nestling under the surface, then it’s worth knowing about – at the very least, so you can get a good night’s sleep for once…

(As with all medical advice online, if any of these conditions really chime for you, then see a doctor. This is meant as a guide, not a diagnostic tool – be smart, everyone.)

Hormone Disorders

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There’s a tendency in the lay population to think that hormones are some mystical problem that besets women on a cyclical basis. It extends as far as well-traveled tennis players; the idea that hormones are a female problem. Well, nope. There’s a whole bunch of hormones for both genders and, to an extent, they control our lives. They range from estrogen through to testosterone and even adrenaline – in fact, there’s tens of them. Together, they make up the endocrine system.

The difficult thing about hormones is that they tend to work in balance with one another. It’s not so much about their individual level in and of themselves, but their levels relative to one another. If one of those levels is not playing ball with the rest of the group, then you can have a problem.

Some of the most common hormone disorders include:

• Underactive or overactive thyroid (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism).
• Cushing’s Syndrome – an overload of the stress hormone, cortisol.
• Diabetes.

All of the above will cause problems with sleep patterns.

Thankfully, these conditions are easily diagnosed and well-managed with treatment – so don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor about them.

Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease

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Often abbreviated to GERD, this ailment is surprisingly common in people of all ages. It’s caused by an overproduction of stomach acid, leading to a burning feeling in the chest and back as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms. One of the most recognized symptoms is heartburn, which can lead to an overreliance on lozenges – without any idea of how the problem is disrupting your sleep.

The way GERD affects sleep is through a mixture of discomfort and general restlessness due to incomplete digestion. One of the best ways to combat it is to raise your head position when you sleep; use a pillow beneath your upper back and let gravity help you keep the stomach acid where it belongs.

One note of caution: prescription-strength antacids called PPIs (protein pump inhibitors) are often prescribed for GERD. Evidence is suggesting these can actually make things worse, so do try simple methods like raising your head position before you resort to them.

Anxiety Disorders

There are a vast array of anxiety disorders, from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder through to PTSD. Or perhaps you have a mixture of them all in one, with the all-encompassing General Anxiety Disorder.

If you find yourself panicked or worrying on a daily basis, then it might be a sign of such an illness. Often, it’s just dismissed as ‘the way we are’ – so we think no more of it. But in reality, being highly stressed and anxious could be a sign of a physiological illness.

It’s worth running through the GAD-7; a standard, medically-sound test that is used as a diagnostic tool for anxiety disorders. This should give you some idea on whether your anxiety is within normal limits, or if it might be time to speak to your doctor about your treatment options.

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If you do find you have a concern, then the way it has been impacting your sleep could be total. When you are panicked or anxious, your adrenaline is firing on a constant “fight or flight” mode. This results in hypervigilance, which in turn makes it difficult to get to sleep at night. Even if you score low on the GAD-7, if any of the above sounds familiar, it’s always worth a brief chat with a doctor to see if there’s anything they can help with.

Have an unused room in your home? Rather than stuffing it with junk and boxes, how about turning it into usable space? Creating a guest bedroom means that friends and family can stay over (without having to sleep on the sofa!) You can go as simple or fancy with it as you like, but either way there are a few essentials that will make it as comfortable as possible. Check out these five tips for creating a guest bedroom that people won’t want to leave.

A Comfortable bed

Forget about the wonky old camp bed or blow up mattress you have hanging out in your attic, just as you would choose a comfortable bed for yourself you should choose one for your guests too. A memory foam mattress will suit most people, they offer the most support and also alleviate allergies so are a good choice for guest rooms. A DIY headboard makes a good project that you can probably complete in just one afternoon. Finish off the bed with clean and cosy sheets, a good quality duvet and plush pillows.

Storage Space

Guests will need somewhere to unpack their things and hang up their clothes, and so sufficient storage space is a must. But why buy ready made furniture when you can build your own or hire a handy man for those pesky jobs? Custom built furniture will be a perfect fit for the space you have, which is particularly useful when guest bedrooms tend to be on the smaller side in the majority of homes. Plus you can put your carpentry skills to the test, most simple pieces of furniture don’t require too many tools so aside from the wood you probably already own everything you need. There are loads of ideas for projects online so have a scour through and decide what will work in your space.

A Tray of Essentials

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Leaving out a tray of essentials can make all the difference in making your guest’s stay as pleasant as possible, plus it shows you’ve really thought about them. A bottle of water, some snacks and some toiletries are a good start. You could even consider a universal phone charger and a couple of books as well. Don’t forget to leave them the code to the wifi! You could make the tray yourself or even upcycle an old one; lining it with decorative paper and adding a perspex sheet over the top is a quick way to tie it in with the rest of the decor in the room.

Blackout Blinds

Blackout blinds are an obvious choice, your guests aren’t going to get much sleep with car headlights and lampposts shining through the window at night. You can create blackout blinds yourself with some thermal blackout fabric, a sewing machine and a blind kit. Slatted vertical blackout blinds are another good option, as then your guests are able to adjust them to their own personal preference. Adding some curtains over the top will really finish off the window area.

A Neutral Colour Scheme

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Regardless of your personal tastes, keeping a guest room neutral will mean it appeals to everyone. Light, neutral shades will keep the room looking bright and airy, and make it appear larger. You could add a few colourful touches with homemade cushions and throws- but try not to go overboard and overwhelm the space with your own personal treasures.

If you are on a budget, you can still create an engaging, luxurious look to your home or apartment. This starts with your bedroom and how you accessorize and decorate this area. Luxury bedding, such as Croscill bedding, add both flair and pizzazz to your sleeping area. Bedding comes in a variety of styles, colors and patterns and can help shift your room from old fashioned to contemporary in the blink of an eye.

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If you have antiquated bedding, luxury bedding in satin is a fantastic upgrade. These bedding options offer a sleek and elegant appearance. Additionally, satin maintains its novel appearance for a longer period of time and repels dust so that it stays luxurious. Croscill decorative bedding is an option that has plump characteristics, giving your bed a fuller appearance. This is a wonderful attribute for your guest room in the house. Finally, make sure that the pillows and accessories around the room match the bedding to maintain uniformity and cap off your design.

Sometimes, a small alteration with your bedding can change the whole appearance of a room without the steep price. This is a fantastic alternative to a complete remodeling of a room, which can cost thousands of dollars. Incorporate your own style and personality into the bedding that you select whether it is of the satin or linen variety from Croscill or another brand.