4 Quick Tips to Update Your Bedroom

We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, most likely in our bedroom. If you're lucky you consider your bedroom to be a sanctuary where you can escape from the day's stress. But when was the last time you "updated" the furniture and furnishings in your bedroom to ensure you get the best sleep possible? If it's been awhile, consider the following 4 quick bedroom updates.

Lifespan of a Pillow
Let's be honest: how old are the pillows on your bed? I remember going away to college with the same favorite pillow I'd always slept with as a child, and only years later did I realize how completely gross that was. Turns out you should be replacing your pillows every year—especially if you have allergies. The dirt, grime, and oils from your skin and hair aren't good for pillows, just from a cleanliness approach. The only way to double a pillow's lifespan (still meaning you should replace pillows every two years) is to use synthetic, impermeable pillow covers.

Once Upon a Mattress
When it comes to the mattress and the bed you sleep on every night, you'll sleep the best if you replace your mattress every five to 10 years. This is based on comfort and the structure of the mattress—is there a noticeable dip in one side of the mattress or have you been waking with a stiff back? With regards to mattresses that don't get a lot of use, such as the bed in your guest room, you don't need to worry about replacing that until your guests start complaining about how uncomfortable the bed is.

Cleaning Carpets
Wall-to-wall carpeting sure does make a bedroom feel cozy. But it can also make for an allergy nightmare. Dust mites and other allergens can collect in carpet. This is why even if you vacuum regularly, you should steam clean the bedroom rug once a year. Ideally, you should replace carpeting with smooth floors, which are easier to keep clean and dust free.

Buy New Bedding
No one wants to spend big bucks at the dry cleaner on bedding—OK, I know that I don't want to. That's why I recently replaced all of my high-maintenance bedding and blankets with the kind that I can machine wash. Even the comforter covers have to be washable. This is important because you're supposed to wash bed linens (the sheets) weekly and wash blankets every other week. For large blankets and quilts, you'll do best to take them to a Laundromat with industrial-sized washing machines that can accommodate these bulky items.

What are some of the updates you've made to your bedroom lately?