Q&A: Will Taylor on Bedroom Design & Sleep Health

Interior designer, home decorator, author, and founder of Bright Bazaar, Will Taylor, chatted with Raymour & Flanigan about all things sleep. From bedroom trends to his top sleep picks, Taylor tells us how he navigates his own sleep journey and what bedroom essentials help him achieve a restful night’s sleep.

What are the top three bedroom staples you recommend for the coziest, best night of sleep?

1. Lighting: Something that can really bring about a great night's sleep is having the right levels of lighting in the space. To kick it up a notch, layer the lighting. Not just a big overhead light, but a nightstand light and/or sconce with a dimmer works best. Bringing that beautiful, low-level light into your space before bed sets the perfect ambiance and is super important. 
2. Mattress: Make sure you pick a mattress that suits your needs. If you think about it, you spend over half your life in bed, so you want to invest in comfortable pieces. Whether you like soft, pillowtop, firm, and so on, make sure you find the one most suitable for you.  
3. Area rug: Not only do rugs ground the space, but visually they look great and pull the entire room together. A rug also makes it more comfortable when you step out of bed to start your day. 

Do you have any go-to mattress recommendations for couples with different sleeping needs? 

I’m no mattress professional, but I would say that talking to a sleep consultant in-store was a very helpful experience for me. If you’re a hot sleeper, go for a mattress that is more cooling but don’t compromise on other things that you love. You’ll be surprised to find that there are mattresses out there for everyone. Speak to a sleep consultant (like one at Raymour & Flanigan!) and know your options so you can find the right fit before making the investment.  

How are you bringing some of the latest trends into your home without refurnishing the entire place? 

It’s so easy to switch up the feeling of a room. To me, I like to invest in quality bedding so I don’t really switch that up or recommend doing so. However, items like bedspreads for the season, rugs, art, etc. make a total difference. Swapping out one of those eye-grabbing pieces makes it feel like a more significant revamp than it would swapping a vase or candle.  

What’s the one thing that can make the biggest impact on your bedroom? 

Lighting makes the #1 impact, hands down. Sleep is so vital to functioning like a proper human being. It is integral to get good sleep for physical and mental health. Lighting is really important for setting the tone and stage for the perfect night’s sleep, especially in the age of blue light and the negative impacts that type of exposure can have on your sleep.  

It is worth the investment to create atmospheric, low-level lighting. You can spend all the money in the world on great decor, drapes, beds, mattresses, etc., but the lighting is key to pulling it all together.

How important is it to have customizable options for your bedding? 

It is super important to customize your bedding! Whether it's hand-chosen mattress support or vibrant bedding that expresses your style, all aspects should be customizable. Mattresses support your entire physical being, but the bedding is just as important. Customization is crucial because some people like to feel cooler when they sleep, but others like to feel weight on top for a great night’s sleep, in an effort to feel more comfortable and secure.  

Is there a recent trend that interests you or one you see on the horizon?  

Pared-back neutral design, textured walls, etc. have been so popular – people are really starting to re-discover their love for print and pattern. I’m seeing a lot more vibrant, bold prints and clashing them together instead of everything just looking the same.  

I’m really excited about this transition to more color and showing your personality more with design. Color, pattern, and prints – people want more of this in their homes!