I’ve never been a morning person—until I became a parent. Our son has always been a good sleeper, yet he still tends to wake up an hour or two before our usual time. Over the years we’ve developed routines that help us all get a better night’s rest and make mornings smoother. Now that he’s in school, starting the day well matters even more, so when IKEA invited me to join their First :59 program, I was happy to take part.
At First59.com, IKEA shares results from a nationwide morning survey showing that 72% of people say a stressful morning affects the rest of their day, and three in four do not have a regular weekday morning routine. To help, IKEA gathered four lifestyle and design experts, including me, to offer practical tips and ideas for making mornings calmer and more productive.
Below are a few of my favorite morning strategies that have helped our family.
Organize the Bathroom
For many households, mornings begin in the bathroom, which makes it one of the most important rooms to keep organized. A clear plan and accessible supplies go a long way toward reducing early-morning friction.
Establishing a bathroom schedule for adults and children helps everyone know when it’s their turn and what tasks to complete. For younger kids, set up separate morning and bedtime stations so they can learn to be self-reliant. Keep toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and a small towel within easy reach. Simple organization teaches routines and speeds up the process of getting ready.
We built a storage step stool for our son that raises him to sink height and also stores bath toys and small treasures he collects. If you prefer not to DIY, there are many ready-made step stool options that work well in bathrooms—choose one that’s stable and sized appropriately for your child. A small, familiar step can boost confidence and independence, which helps mornings run more smoothly.
No Screens in the Bedroom
While I’m naturally a night owl, I value an uninterrupted night of sleep. We have a firm “no screens” policy in our bedroom: no TVs, tablets, laptops, or smartphones. Leaving these devices outside the bedroom reduces distractions and nighttime interruptions.
After checking email or watching a show, we leave devices in the living room or kitchen so the bedroom stays a restful space. The buzz, glow, or vibration of a phone in the night is a temptation that can break sleep or make it harder to fall back asleep. Reading a book is a more calming pre-bed activity and helps the mind wind down, unlike the endless feeds and videos found online.
If you find it difficult to be without devices, consider a nightstand with a drawer that hides them from view while allowing cords to pass through the back so devices can charge out of sight. That small change keeps the bedroom free from visual and auditory interruptions while keeping devices accessible when you need them.
Prioritizing a good night’s sleep makes waking up easier and sets a positive tone for the day. Small adjustments—organized bathroom stations, appropriate child-sized furniture, and minimizing bedroom screens—can make mornings calmer and more efficient for the whole family.
For more ideas and visual inspiration, IKEA’s First :59 resources include curated tips and suggestions for shaping a better morning routine. Share your own morning habits and tips on social media with the hashtag #First59 to join the conversation.
Disclosure: This article is sponsored by IKEA. All opinions are those of the author.