ON average we spend 3,285 hours a year in the bedroom. That's the equivalent of 140 days.

Of course, we're asleep for most of that time - but one thing is for certain: All 365 days of the year begin in the bedroom.

Scientists now say that sleep is as important to our well-being as our diet and the exercise we take.

Without enough quality sleep we can suffer ill health and may be unable to do our jobs properly.

A good bedroom with all home comforts is, therefore, well worth investing in.

Decoration

Colour schemes are extremely important. They can effect our moods from the moment we wake up.

Experts say yellow is probably the best all-round colour. It has long been recommended for children's nurseries but it is also good for adults.

It creates a bright, warm and sunny feeling and helps us to think positive.

A bedroom that is a morning sun trap may survive with a range of colours but if it is north facing, yellow or one of its warm neighbours will lift the atmosphere.

Pink is a popular colour for feminine bedrooms and can also be a warm colour, creating a positive state of mind.

Blue, on the other hand, can be cold - particularly in a north-facing room. But it also has its benefits. Our minds automatically associate it with the wide open sky.

The bed

The most important feature is, of course, the bed. Important because it can ensure quality of sleep - and can also help with orthopedic problems.

Doctors say a good mattress can be one of the most important investments we make.

After all, on average we spend between seven and nine hours a day on it - and no other bit of furniture gets that sort of use.

Plain wood is the favourite, brass or iron can look extremely creative on bare floorboards or in a large, Victorian-style room.

But the mattress should be chosen for its qualities. Visit a reputable showroom and ask for advice, particularly if you suffer back problems.

A good, firm, sprung mattress which is turned regularly will last for many years, giving your body the support it needs as it relaxes and recharges and helping ensure you enjoy unbroken nights of quality sleep.

Bedroom tips

Be adventurous with your bedroom lighting. There's plenty of scope to add character and dimension to your room. Ethnic pot and brass lamps are available from Habitat, or Lights on Broadway stock a range of art deco and Edwardian lights.

IF SLEEP is a problem try the age-old remedy of having a bath. Scientists at America;s Michigan State University researching sleeping problems have discovered that laying in a relaxing bath for 30 minutes two hours before you go to bed helps ensure a good night's sleep. Volunteers fell asleep on average 15 minutes faster and woke less often in the night.

The best way to create storage space in a small bedroom is to have it fitted with units.

Bedroom companies such as Sharps have consultants who will advise. Fitted bedrooms were once seen as modern and even tasteless - but they have come a long way.