“…the bed we share is like a forest glen. We enjoy a canopy of cedars enclosed by cypresses, fragrant and green.” Song of Solomon 1:16 (The Message)
The Song of Solomon well describes the joy of a bedroom that is pleasant. The right atmosphere can help your sleep, intimacy, connection, and relaxation.
A few years ago we were moving into a home and several people were helping us unload. As Heidi was starting to tackle the boxes in the kitchen, a wise woman said to her, “Let’s start first on the bedroom.” That didn’t make sense to Heidi because we would need the kitchen supplies soon for meals. Heidi asked why and the woman replied, “Because your bedroom is the heart of your home. It should be the most important of all your rooms.”
Since then, we have tried to make our bedroom our favorite room. As a result, we look forward to being in there together. We enjoy going to bed—for sleep and intimacy. It is a special place in our home that is just for us—our personal retreat.
Just to lower your bar of expectations, our bedroom will never be featured in Better Homes and Gardens. You won’t find it on Pinterest. Chip and Joanna Gaines (HGTV, “Fixer Upper”) could have a lot of fun just working on our room. But it’s ours and we love it!
Here are some simple things you can do to make your bedroom special:
1. Clean
Early in our marriage a man from church was working on the outside of our home by the bedroom window. He saw through the window that the bed was unmade. He later remarked that in their 50 years of marriage, they always made sure their bed was made each morning. We needed to hear that. When you put regular effort into something it becomes more special to you and it starts right when you get up.
Have you allowed clothes to be strewn, magazines to be piled, and clutter to accumulate? Your first task is to clear it all out. Put it in another room until you can sort it, or box it and see if you ever miss it. Then you can clearly assess your next steps for your bedroom. Just clearing out your room will feel like a huge improvement!
Next, thoroughly clean your bedroom. Your bedroom should smell and feel clean when you walk in. Get an air freshener. A bit of attention to the tidiness of your room can give you a quick transformation that costs nothing, but you’ll enjoy the results!
2. Comfortable
Do the two of you enjoy your mattress? How comfortable are your sheets? Two years ago we had to get new sheets for our bed. We heard about some organic cotton sheets over the radio and did some research. They were pricey, and yet we have loved the feel of slipping into them! Do a little research and find something that the two of you will enjoy!
Earlier this spring we went mattress shopping. We had been saving a long time for a mattress and needed to make the investment.
If you’re in the market for a good mattress, be sure to read user reviews about the mattress AND the mattress store. We have seen helpful mattress reviews at sleephelp.org, money.com/best-mattress and sleeplikethedead.com.
We finally decided on a mattress called Saatva based on overwhelming internet reviews. It was ordered online—we never tried it—but they had a great trial period and return policy. It also cost 50% less than a comparable mattress from a store. We have loved our mattress and look forward to going to sleep in it every night.
3. Climate
Pay attention as well to the atmosphere of your room. How is the lighting? A couple of lamps from Walmart or Ikea can change the ambiance.
Does your room need a fresh coat of paint? Perhaps a splash of color on an accent wall? It doesn’t cost much to paint a room, and can transform the atmosphere.
Be willing to move your furniture around, too! A simple re-arrangement of your current furniture can give your bedroom a new look and feel.
Your bedroom matters to your marriage. Give your bedroom the attention your marriage deserves. As you transform your bedroom, you will Build Your Marriage!
Resources to Improve Your Marriage
Would you like to engage more fully with your spouse and build your marriage in a healthy, biblical way? Through books and articles, Heidi and Brad Mitchell help couples grow in their faith to build a marriage on biblical principles. Through Christian marriage conferences and couples’ retreats, Heidi and Brad share biblical truths of how to build your marriage on the foundation of God’s Word. Their careful application of Scripture, along with personal stories and practical tools, has been used by God to transform marriages and redirect families. If you’d like Heidi and Brad to speak at your next marriage conference or couples retreat, connect with them here.