In the years that I've been writing about homes, I've spoken to countless sleep experts, and almost all agree on the power of one single hue: blue. Incorporating this tone into the bedroom promotes tranquility, calms the nervous system, and improves sleep. However, introducing color is often easier said than done. This is where Martha Stewart comes in to help.
If you don't want to paint your bedroom walls, the job falls to your bedding, but Martha Stewart's Collection makes it much easier. Specifically, the Medallion Print Bedding Set (available at Amazon) combines a beautiful shade of blue with an ornate pattern that looks beautiful while helping you sleep better.
Alongside its expert-approved colorway, this set wins in the durability department, too. Washed for added softness, both the quilt and sham (included in the set) have a cozy, lived-in feel that will feel like it's made for your bedroom. The hypoallergenic 100% polyester filling is OEKO-TEX standard certified, so you can rest easy knowing it's made with comfort and safety in mind.
This microfiber quilt and sham set exhibits a lively medallion pattern in blue, aqua, and yellow on a light grey ground on the first side. However, in case you didn't love this enough already, you can reverse the sides to feature a more stylized floral pattern in blue and white, allowing you yet more ways to bring this tone into your bedroom.
What exactly makes blue one of the best colors for sleep? Mar De Carlo, the founder of the International Parenting & Health Institute Association of Professional Sleep Consultants, starts with its non-stimulating qualities.
Studies show that any blue bedroom color promotes relaxation, calms the nervous system, and supports a tranquil atmosphere. When our eyes register blue, it causes the hypothalamus to produce more melatonin and the adrenal glands to reduce cortisol,' she says.
There is no bad shade of blue for the bedroom, yet some are better than others (and Martha's bedding is among our favorites).
'While a darker blue can work well for a bedroom color, it is more intense than a lighter shade and may encourage reflection. While not stimulating, reflection can in and of itself become a distraction. However, a softer, lighter shade of blue seems to have the best effect because it mimics a soothing daytime sky or the calming waters of a peaceful tropical ocean,' Mar says.
Below, we've rounded up some more Martha-designed must-haves, including more sets in a soothing blue hue.
As charming as it is playful, this design is quintessentially Martha Stewart – and by that, we mean that it's utterly timeless. This breathable cotton quilt features a ditsy floral pattern in blue, green, and red on a white ground on one side, and sweet polka dots on the other.
Living up to its namesake, these are some of the best pillows you can get for your money. They have a 500 thread count and exhibit a damask stripe fabric (made from 100% cotton) for optimal airflow.
With a retro blue-and-white checkered plaid pattern, this ultra-soft sheet set from makes a stylish foundation for any bed. It's made with high-quality materials and extensively tested to meet the highest standards for safety.
Finding the best bed sheets for your room is the simplest way to introduce this color, but if you want to take it one step further, Mar has some specific paint recommendations.
'I love SW6505 Atmospheric, SW6506 Vast Sky, or SW6507 Resolute Blue,' she says. 'Any of these could work well for sleeping. If I had to choose just one, it would be Resolute Blue because I feel it beautifully falls right in the middle of the blue shade spectrum – not too light or too dark.'
