Proper bed etiquette is a set of unspoken rules that are meant to make sharing both the bed and bedroom easier between sleeping partners.

Establishing a set of ground rules in the bedroom could make the difference between sweet dreams and a nightmare.

Here are some things you should discuss with your sleeping partner.

Everything You Need to Know About Proper Bed Etiquette—a Guide for Those with Sleeping Partners

1. Stick To a Comfortable Room Temperature

Some sleepers feel cold easily and prefer to keep the bedroom temperature in the lower 20s. But those with bodies that tend to run hot at night insist that winter enters the bedroom. Unfortunately, disagreements like these could raise hot tempers.

Sleep experts cite that the perfect sleeping temperature is 18.3°C.

Body temperatures are naturally lower when we sleep, and a hot and humid room could negatively impact sleep quality and duration.

Another workaround is to invest in a mattress that also promotes the perfect sleeping temperature.

The Serta iProminence mattress features an adaptive dynamic cooling system, keeping your bed cool and comfortable and your sleep deep and restorative. It also comes with a KoolComfort™ layer that cradles your muscles and stays cool throughout the night.

2. Limit the Pillow Talk

It’s great to cap the day with a lovely conversation. For some couples, bedtime is the best time to catch up on what happened during the day. But there are some days when bedtime should be just that—time for bed.

When you see that your partner is already in their favorite sleeping position, have closed their lamp, and shut their eyes, quiet time has begun.

You’ll get your chance to share your stories at the breakfast table.

3. Keep the Bed Exclusive

The bed is an intimate space for you and your partner. And as you both share it, you should both agree on who else you share it with.

Partners with pets need to agree if Fido is allowed to stay with you on the bed. Dogs aren’t aware of human proper bed etiquette and sleep wherever they want, usually on the coolest side of the bed.

But this leads to a dog walking over and around you, possibly waking you in the middle of the night. Your pet may enjoy sharing your bed with you, but at the cost of your sleep.

If you can’t agree, then you have two options.

The first option is to purchase a dog bed and place it inside the bedroom. You will still get to enjoy the company of your beloved pet and get undisturbed sleep.

Second, you can invest in a large bed that fits everyone. And one with pocket springs will make sure your pet’s movements won’t wake you.

The Eleos mattress is available in a Philippine Super King (198x203cm), which fits you, your partner, and other four-legged family members. The foundation of the mattress contains 7-zone honeycomb pocket on pocket coils that move independently of each other, precisely adjusting to the contours of your body and isolating your movement.

4. Keep the Bed Tidy

The icon of rest and slumber should stay spick-and-span. And as you spend a third of your lifetime in the bedroom, you want it to be clean and organized.

Make your bed as soon as you wake up. Organize your pillows, smooth and tuck the sheets, then fold your blanket.

It only takes a minute of your time, but could also do wonders for your mood and stress levels.

Tidying your bed helps set the tone for the day. And when you start off by doing something seemingly unexceptional yet meaningful like making up your bed, you can start the day right.

No one wants to come home to an untidy house. And the same goes for your bed.

Mattress protectors and pillows protectors are must-have, cannot-do-without items when talking about tidy beds. These are water-repellent layers that prevent liquids from seeping into your pillows and mattresses. Protectors might also help extend the lifespan of your bed and accessories.

5. Beware of Light Sleepers

There are sleepers that like to sleep with the lights on, and there are light sleepers that are awoken by light or loud sounds. And when you put these two sleepers on one bed, you can expect some friction.

Consider installing a reading light on either side of the bed. Reading lights are lamps with a smaller range, shedding light over a small area. They’re bright enough to provide ample light for some bedtime reading, but are quite dim and cannot illuminate an entire room.

And for the light sleeper, also consider wearing eye masks and earplugs. These may help you fall asleep more quickly and could help improve sleep quality. Unsound the Alarm

6. Unsound the Alarm

Be respectful of differences in schedules.

If you have to get up much earlier in the morning, set an alarm with a tone that isn’t too disruptive. And when you do hear your alarm, get up immediately and shut it off. Keep in mind that hitting on the snooze button will wake both you and your partner up later on.

Prepare your clothes the night before. This may also help minimize the noise you might make as you get ready for the day.

Everything should be grab-and-go and done very silently when the day hasn’t started for your partner.

Likewise, if you are a night owl and come inside an already quiet bedroom, avoid turning the main lights on. Ask your partner to leave the lamp on your side so that you have enough light to navigate the room.

7. Silence Is Golden

Do you snore? Are you aware of the volume of your snore?

If you’re sleeping with a light sleeper, make an extra effort to keep your snoring to a minimum.

A quick visit to your doctor might also give you insight into your habits. You may have nasal problems or the anatomy of your mouth may be contributing to your sleeping habit.

Sleeping on your side may help you stop snoring. If you’re a back sleeper, try sleeping on your side and ask your partner to observe if your snoring has improved. Use a pillow to support this new sleeping position.

But snoring isn’t the only source of noise pollution in the bedroom.

Another way you might relax after a long day is with a video game. Keep the gameplay in the living room or another room away from earshot of your sleeping partner. You may find comfort in loud and bright sound effects, but your partner may appreciate silence more.

Beds are a source of comfort for everyone. But when you share the bed with a partner with unmatched preferences, bedtime could end up being a source of stress.

When your bedroom is a shared space, proper bed etiquette could make living with each other easy and enjoyable.

Beds should be a symbol of intimacy for couples. End the day with your special someone in your arms and wake up to their hugs and kisses. In sickness, and in health, ‘til bad sleeping habits do your part.

What poor sleeping habits and proper bed etiquette do you find most difficult to live with? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you.