Sleep is one of the biggest pillars of our health, so it's no wonder that, in our wellness-obsessed world, more people than ever are deciding to get a 'sleep divorce'. If you're wondering what this is exactly, it's when a (happy) couple sleeps separately to get a better night's rest.
This isn't just a passing internet trend either – according to the National Bed Federation, a whopping one in six couples sleep separately, with the main reasons being snoring, fidgeting or differences in mattress preferences.
If you like the sound of an extra few hours' kip but don't have the privilege of an extra bedroom, or maybe don't want to sleep completely alone, we've found five alternatives to adapt your current bedroom ideas.
1. Lighting
The easiest way to settle the light-on, light-off debate? Investing in dimmable lamps for either side of the bed – ideally with a dimmer or directional lighting, recommends interior designer, Katie Malik.
That way, instead of illuminating the entire room with a harsh glare – waking the other person up in the process – your side of the bed will have a gentle glow, perfect for reading and settling down without disturbing them.
If you or your partner has a habit of dozing off mid-read or scroll, setting up an automated schedule is another fantastic bedroom lighting idea. With smart lighting, you can programme them to switch off or adjust to a more relaxing colour at a certain time.
Lighting picks we love
Crafted from opal glass for a luxe feel, these touch lamps can be adjusted to two brightness settings.
Rechargeable, dimmable and pretty in pink, this table lamp is an all-round winner.
Featuring four touch settings, these brass lamps will look stylish on any bedside table.
Katie Malik is the founder and creative director of Katie Malik Design Studio, based in Cambridge. She originally studied at Cambridge University as a linguist, then retrained in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Art in London and the National Design Academy. Katie launched her own business in 2014 after gaining previous experience at high-end London design studios.
2. Temperature
Bedroom temperature is another hot debate, but one that can be solved by:
Installing smart heating: Controlled via your phone or tablet, smart heating lets you adjust independent areas of the room at the tap of a button. For example, if your bed is sandwiched between two radiators, the colder person could just have their side switched on, so the other person stays cooler. You can also set a heating schedule to avoid getting up and down in the night.
Investing in a climate-control mattress topper: These mattress toppers let you control the temperature on each side of the bed, so everyone can sleep at their preferred climate. I've been using one for six months and can highly recommend. However, a word of warning: they tend to make a gentle humming noise, but it's nothing a pair of earplugs can't solve (I like these wax ones from Amazon best).
Thinking about your heat emitters: While underfloor heating provides a gentle and consistent temperature, which is great for maintaining a steady climate, bedroom radiators may offer you greater control if you need to turn them on or off quickly.
Make temperature regulation easy with these shopping picks
This innovative mattress topper lets you control the temperature on each side of your bed, while the adjustable base elevation helps reduce snoring.
Featuring a Wi-Fi-controlled thermostat, this smart radiator lets you adjust the temperature from anywhere and create scheduled routines.
3. Layout
When it comes to getting your bedroom layout right, aesthetics aren't the only thing you'll need to consider – it will need to work for your everyday sleep routine most importantly.
The person who gets the hottest should be positioned closest to the window, while the person who gets up most in the night should be nearest to the door.
Cramming your bed frame into a corner might help your bedroom look bigger, but it won't do you any favours when you have to climb over each other in the middle of the night to grab a glass of water.
It's also always a good idea to have charging cables and a bedside table on each side of the bed, not just for your bedside lighting, but also so you can take responsibility for setting your own alarms and keep all of your nighttime essentials close by.
4. Furniture
If constant fidgeting is keeping you up, then a zip-and-link mattress for your master bedroom ideas offers the perfect solution, recommends Mark Tremlett, Director of Naturalmat. Since they are two twin beds that can be connected to form one, they give you the best of both worlds and let you play it by ear depending on how the night goes.
Many brands even let you mix and match the firmness of each mattress – ideal if one person prefers a softer feel while the other needs more support. Sleep divorce aside, these beds are also a fantastic choice for guest rooms, giving you heaps of flexibility depending on who's staying.
Separate headboards can also be a game-changer for minimising movement transfer and reducing the risk of disturbing one another.
"It creates a subtle division between each side of the bed, giving both partners their own defined space while still keeping the room feeling cohesive. Upholstered headboards can also introduce softness and help absorb some sound," explains Katie Malik.
Bedroom furniture in our baskets
Made with 6,000 dual-layer pocket springs, this zip-and-link mattress lets you customise the firmness levels on each side.
Add a bohemian feel to your bedroom design with this on-trend rattan headboard.
Mark Tremlett is one of the original champions of the planet in the British manufacturing industry, having begun hand-making beds, mattresses and bedding from entirely natural and organic materials over 20 years ago from the company’s Devon workshop.
5. Finishing touches
Finishing touches to your bedroom decor can also be a great place to make some subtle changes to prevent a sleep divorce.
Two single duvets: "The single best change is two single duvets instead of one double. It's what they do in Scandinavia," says Samantha-Jane Agbontaen, interior designer and founder of House Designer. "No more tug of war over the covers, everyone keeps their own warmth, and you just lay a throw over the top so the bed still looks made."
If you're a cold sleeper, a 10.5–13.5 tog duvet will be your best choice, while hot sleepers should opt for a 4.5 tog.
Flooring: You might think that wood is a no-no for upstairs bedroom flooring, but it could give you a helping hand in reducing the temperature – just place a rug on the side of the cold sleeper.
Window coverings: Blackout blinds are a must-have if the morning sunlight rudely wakes you at 4am in the summer – especially if a snoring partner makes it hard to fall back to sleep.
Get the finishing touches
Made from anti-allergy fibres, this single duvet will help you enjoy a more peaceful night's sleep.
Turn your bedroom into a calming cocoon with this blackout roller blind, available in 19 colours.
Made from chunky wool, this handcrafted rug will keep your side of the bed warm and stylish.
Samantha Jane Agbontaen is the founder of House Designer, a London-based interior and garden design studio. They often recommend limewash to clients who want an elegant, natural wall finish with texture and warmth.
"Most sleep conflict comes down to four things: covers, movement, light and temperature, and every one of those has a design fix," concludes Samantha-Jane Agbontaen.
If you found this helpful, you may also want to read our guide on designing the perfect bedroom or have a browse through these bedroom layout ideas.
