The dishes are finished and the sink is polished, clutter is picked up throughout the house and clothes are set out for another day. The kids are tucked in, the computer and television are turned off... it is time for 30-minutes of relaxation before drifting off to sleep.
A few ideas to help make your bedroom a sanctuary:
Guard your restful space.
It is a relentless challenge we face to keep homes peaceful and guard against the sensory overload that engulfs us throughout the day. The bedroom should be a place of love and rest, nothing more. When it becomes anything else, we trade in peace for chaos and lose the struggle for restful sleep. 
A few pro-sleep decorator tips:
Keep things that soothe and relax you on a bedside table. Try a lamp with lower wattage bulb for softer lighting, a candle for ambient light and/or a small bouquet of flowers. Consider an ipod dock for soft music and a basket (or bedside table drawer) with spa supplies like shea butter balms to smooth lips, hands and feet, a silky sleep mask to relieve tired eyes and ear plugs for the occasional noisy neighbors.
The Stuff of Dreams.Create a room that encourages relaxation with a bright, airy feel by day and a quiet, cozy ambience by night. Start with the largest piece of furniture in the room, the bed. Cover it with a thick mattress pad and the highest quality (400 thread count or higher) 100% cotton bedsheets that you can afford. Layer on some fluffy blankets and/or comforter with duvet cover (for easy cleaning.) Top it all off with an assortment of throw pillows in a variety of sizes, patterns and colors. Darken the bedroom for better sleep with curtains or shades. Install carpeting or invest in a large area rug to help absorb sound. Use a fan on 'low' or an air-purifier to create white noise and block the sounds that might awaken you.
A few tips to help encourage your sleep to be sweet and deep.
Stress Busters.
Expend some energy. Exercise is good for the body and the mind. A walk, a run, a workout at the gym will all produce endorphins (the happy hormones) which help ease depression and improve sleep. Remember to allow your body time to recover and stop physical activity at least two hours before bedtime.Avoid stimulants.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar and don't eat anything for at least two hours before bed (unless it's a protein snack to help with low blood sugar.) Turn off the evening news, violent movies and anything that is a stressful stimulant. Listen to soothing tunes instead. Treat yourself to a warm bath with a delicately scented bath oil to unwind then slip into something pretty and comfortable. Cozy up with a cup of herbal tea like chamomile. It has a tranquilizing effect and improves quality of sleep.
Journal.
Right before bed, write down a line recording the day's highlights. Just one-line-a-day of something you are thankful for helps end the day on a positive note making way for the sweetest of dreams.
Light and Feet.
Cold feet. It doesn't work to try to sleep with cold feet. A pair of cotton socks does wonders for those with perpetually chilly tootsies. And if you have to get up during the night, do not turn on the lights. Doing so throws off your internal clock making it harder to fall back asleep. A dim night light is a better alternative to help guide you along the way.
May your bedroom be a beautiful place of rest and relaxation.
Love well and sleep deeply, my friend!
"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."
Ovid, Ancient Roman Poet and Author