The 11 Essentials You Need to Create the Most Relaxing Bedroom

urbanoutfitters.com; nordstrom.com
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne
urbanoutfitters.com; nordstrom.com
Photo Illustration: Jae Payne
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

There's something about opening a new calendar that makes us want to feel our best. So this January, POPSUGAR is giving you everything you need to hit the reset button on your health, your habits, your beauty routine, and more. To find more articles about resetting your home, click here.

Having a quiet, soothing bedroom entirely devoted to relaxing can help you manage stress in ways even a gym membership, occasional spa splurge, or that generous pour of after-work wine can't. This new year, you truly deserve to feel centered in and calmed by your space. Trust us: feeling excited to spend waking hours in a bedroom is equivalent to a sensory hug, and it's especially great if you're looking to reset your habits or routines in 2024.

You don't even need a huge makeover budget to make an impact; the 11 things the most relaxing bedrooms always seem to have are available at all sorts of prices. If you're feeling burned out on life, do yourself a favor and incorporate this chill-inducing checklist to your bedroom.

Plenty of Pillows
urbanoutfitters.com

Plenty of Pillows

Shop for a couple of throw pillows or a long lumbar pillow to layer on top of your euro and standard pillows for a plush feel. Having the extra neck and back support makes settling in for a movie or curling up with a good book or magazine much more comfortable. We love pairing this Cozy Slub Body Pillow ($59) from Urban Outfitters with others.

A Cozy Throw Blanket
target.com

A Cozy Throw Blanket

Keeping a cozy throw blanket folded at the foot of your bed looks inviting and also makes it convenient to take naps or relax on your bed without actually having to get under the covers. You can stock up on affordable throw blankets from brands like Target and H&M. Our editors are obsessed with the Threshold Cozy Knit Throw Blanket ($25) from Target. We love that it feels ultrasoft and keeps us warm. Plus, its range of neutral colors will bring a warm ambiance to your space.

Mood Lighting
nordstrom.com

Mood Lighting

Harsh overhead lighting in a bedroom is an instant mood killer. Introduce softer lighting by incorporating bedside sconces or table lamps that add to the ambiance of the space and function as a reading light too. We love the Hatch Restore 2 ($200), as a stylish way to help enhance your sleep. It's a gentle sunrise alarm clock and a sound machine that can sync with your morning and nighttime routines. You can also DIY your own sconces or ambient lighting for next to nothing. We're also obsessed with premium flameless wax candles that flicker. They look surprisingly real unless you're super close and have timers on them so you don't have to worry about falling asleep with them on!

Cozy Slippers
bombas.com

Cozy Slippers

Although revamping your space can do wonders for creating that calming environment, you should also treat yourself to a cozy essential. We love these plush Bombas Double Cushion Gripper Slipper ($45) that will keep your toes feeling toasty, especially during the chillier months. And right now, you can get 20 percent off your order with code POPSUGAR20 at checkout.

These slippers have a cushioned, pillowy footbed that delivers support where you need it while maintaining its flexibility. Plus, these have grippers on the bottom, so you won't accidentally slip and fall. They come in a ton of different colors and patterns, so choose the one that fits your vibe and unwind in your sanctuary.

A Cloud-Like Bed
castlery.com

A Cloud-Like Bed

There's a reason we're drawn to the fluffy white beds in boutique hotels. The soft mattresses, luxury sheets, down comforters, and upholstered headboards are a no-fail formula for a bed you never want to get out of. Our editors have picked out some of the coziest upholstered bed frames, and we especially love this low-profile Castlery Dawson Bed ($1,299). To complete the look, choose high-quality cotton sheets that are unbelievably soft and totally worth the investment.

Soothing Scents
nordstrom.com

Soothing Scents

It's great to keep around your favorite scented candles, but we often prefer using an essential oil diffuser. They're incredibly versatile — you can easily create your own custom blends by mixing your favorite essential oils and can program them to work for an hour or six hours, depending on your needs. The cool mist makes any room smell incredible and also adds a touch of humidity, which can help everything from respiratory issues to dry skin. Our editors love the Vitruvi Stone Porcelain Diffuser ($123) for its sleek look and calming scents.

A Well-Stocked Nightstand
westelm.com

A Well-Stocked Nightstand

When you want to relax, it's paramount you have all you need within reach of your bed. That's why we love a stylish nightstand that can house a ton of calming essentials, from incense and poetry books to journals and tea. This West Elm Pedestal Nightstand ($599) is particularly lovely.

A Calming Color Palette
Westend61

A Calming Color Palette

Bright, invigorating colors are ideal for rooms where you socialize, like living and dining rooms, but you don't want an energizing color palette in a room that is meant for relaxation. Instead, choose one of these calming paint colors for your walls and keep furniture as neutral as possible, introducing small doses of color.

Smart Storage
Catherine McQueen

Smart Storage

Having an organized bedroom free of clutter is liberating, but it's impossible to keep up unless you create plenty of smart storage solutions. These Ikea bedroom hacks are perfect for people who want to stay organized in a small space. Products like baskets, lidded boxes, trays, hooks and under-the-bed storage are essential for keeping a bedroom looking clean and clutter-free. If you want other incredible organizing products, check out our recommendations.

Fresh Greenery
DuKai photographer

Fresh Greenery

Introducing something from nature can help any room feel more balanced and less stiff, but studies also show that plants can improve indoor air quality. If you're worried about your bedroom's lack of natural light or your lack of a green thumb, choose from this list of low-maintenance houseplants.

Chill Art
POPSUGAR Photography | Angela Elias

Chill Art

Frame and hang pictures of things that make you feel centered, like epic beach prints or snapshots of favorite memories with family and friends. There are even options for wall collage kits to create a specific aesthetic.