Choosing the right paint colors for a child’s bedroom is an exciting part of decorating their special space. The colors and shades you select can impact your child’s mood, creativity, and sleep. When picking paint colors, you’ll want to consider your child’s age, gender, interests, as well as the amount of natural light in the room. Typically, brighter and lighter shades are better for smaller spaces and rooms with minimal sunlight. Darker, richer shades can make a large room feel cozier. Cool tones like blues and greens are calming while warm tones like yellows and reds are energetic. Neutral shades like tans, grays and whites provide a clean backdrop that makes it easy to add colorful accents. Ultimately the best shades are ones that delight your child and make them feel comfortable in their own space. Here are some top recommendations for paint colors for children’s bedrooms along with tips for selecting the perfect palette.
Best Neutral Shades
Neutral shades are always a safe choice for a kid’s room since they provide a calm, soothing backdrop that works for any gender, interest or age. Some top neutral paint color ideas include:
– White – Clean and bright white is a classic choice that makes spaces feel open and airy. It allows accent colors to really pop. White is especially good for rooms with ample natural light.
– Beige – Warm beige is relaxing and inviting. It pairs well with many other hues from blues to yellows. Behr’s Cappuccino Foam is a popular neutral tan.
– Gray – Grays work well in both boys’ and girls’ rooms. Try a light gray like Benjamin Moore’s Heatherfield Gray for a soft, soothing feel. Or go bold with a charcoal gray for a modern, stylish look.
– Cream – Creamy off-whites like Benjamin Moore Creamy are warm and comforting. Cream is ideal for nurseries since it’s gender-neutral.
Best Colors for Boys
When it comes to choosing paint for boys’ bedrooms, opt for fun, adventurous hues. Some top shades include:
– Navy Blue – Navy is versatile enough to grow with a boy from toddler to teen years. It’s calming but more bold than standard blue.
– Hunter Green – Forest greens create a cool, outdoorsy vibe perfect for boys. Darker greens work well with crisp white trim.
– Gray – Shades like Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter add stylish neutrality that allows other colors to pop.
– Red – Vibrant true reds and deeper burgundies make for an energetic, playful room. They’re ideal accents.
– Orange – More muted oranges like terra-cotta work for boys’ rooms. Pair with blues and greens for a complementary color scheme.
Best Colors for Girls
For girls’ rooms, opt for shades that feel distinctly feminine and chic. Recommended paint color choices include:
– Pink – From blush to fuchsia, pinks are a classic for girls’ rooms. Soften bold pinks with white furniture and linens.
– Purple – Both light lilacs and deeper plums create rooms fit for a princess. Pair with metallics for shimmer.
– Mint Green – Minty aquas and greens feel crisp and youthful. Mint works for a variety of ages.
– Coral – Vibrant oranges and pinks like Sherwin-Williams Fire Coral add energy. Bold corals look best on feature walls.
– Yellow – Sunny shades like daffodil or lemon create cheerful, welcoming rooms. Yellow pairs well with gray or white.
Best Bright and Bold Shades
For children who love dynamic colors, choose from these vivid paint choices:
– Electric Blue – Bold blues like Benjamin Moore’s Electric Blue add high-energy appeal. Use it on an accent wall.
– Lime Green – Vibrant greens add fun personality. Limit intense greens to one wall or use in moderation.
– Radiant Orchid – Jewel-toned purples like Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year Radiant Orchid make a statement.
– Fuchsia – Girl’s rooms can go full-on fun with bright pinkish-purples like Behr’s Vivacious. Use sparingly.
– Sunshine Yellow – Cheerful, bright yellows like Glidden’s Sunshine Yellow boost mood in darker spaces. Use in moderation.
Best Paint Finishes
In addition to choosing colors, you’ll need to select a paint finish. Here are some top options:
– Eggshell – With subtle sheen, eggshell finishes withstand washing and still hide scuffs. They’re ideal for kids’ rooms.
– Satin – With a bit more luster, satin finishes are wipeable and luxurious but show imperfections.
– Semi-Gloss – Semi-gloss adds vibrancy and is most stain-resistant. It’s great for bathrooms and play areas.
– Matte – As a flat finish, matte hides flaws well but is harder to clean. Use it in low-traffic areas or adult bedrooms.
Choosing Paint Colors by Age
A child’s age and maturity level informs what paint colors work best. Here are top picks by age:
Babies & Toddlers
– Light yellow – Cheerful and gender-neutral
– Seafoam green – Calming and bright
– Gray – Sophisticated but still soft
Preschoolers
– Sky blue – Playful and comforting
– Buttercup yellow – Happy and uplifting
– Mint green – Fresh and inviting
Elementary Age
– Lime green – Energetic and fun
– Robin’s egg blue – Vibrant and youthful
– Lavender – Soothing and pretty
Tweens
– Turquoise – Trendy teal tones
– Fuchsia – Bold pink pops
– Navy – Classic and cool
Teens
– Charcoal gray – Minimalist and modern
– Brick red – Rich and stylish
– Kelly green – Retro chic
Choosing Paint Colors by Room Size
A bedroom’s size should also inform your paint color selection. Here are some ideas based on dimensions:
Small rooms:
– Opt for light, bright shades which visually expand space like sunny yellows or sky blues
– Use all-over neutral schemes to avoid overwhelming
– Add color through decor instead of dark paint colors
Medium rooms:
– Feel free to incorporate bolder accent walls in one vibrant color
– Stick with lighter shades overall for airy appeal
– Use warm neutrals like tans, browns and beiges to add coziness
Large rooms:
– Don’t be afraid of using darker, richer shades for dramatic impact
– Use brighter colors like true red or cobalt blue since you have room for bold hues
– Incorporate neutral wall colors to anchor bolder accent walls
Choosing Paint Sheens by Room Size
The paint sheen you select should also relate to bedroom size:
Small rooms:
– Eggshell or satin – Provides subtle sheen that makes space feel open
Medium rooms:
– Eggshell – Mid-level sheen balances durability and appearance
Large rooms:
– Satin or semi-gloss – Adds vibrancy and lushness to expansive walls
Sample Paint Color Combinations
Not sure where to start in coordinating paint colors for a bedroom? Here are some stylish sample color combinations:
Pink, Brown, White
– Blush pink walls
– Chocolate brown accent wall
– Crisp white ceiling and trim
Blue, Green, Gray
– Robin’s egg blue walls
– Sage green accent wall
– Light gray ceiling and trim
Yellow, Orange, White
– Sunshine yellow walls
– Burnt orange accent wall
– Bright white ceiling and trim
Purple, Gold, Cream
– Lavender walls
– Metallic gold accent wall
– Warm cream ceiling and trim
Red, Navy, Gray
– Cherry red walls
– Navy blue accent wall
– Charcoal gray ceiling and trim
Expert Paint Color Selection Tips
If you’re struggling to select paint colors, keep these expert tips in mind:
– Decorate sample swatches on the wall before fully committing to judge true colors
– Pick a palette that delights your child and fits their personality
– Make sure colors complement each other using color theory principles
– Limit bright colors to accent walls to avoid overwhelming
– Allow ceiling and trim to be neutral to ground bold wall colors
– Select sheens that balance durability and appearance based on use
– Don’t forget about artificial and natural lighting when visualizing colors
– Coordinate paint scheme with existing furniture and decor pieces
Conclusion
Choosing the ideal wall paint colors for a child’s bedroom is exciting but requires thoughtfulness. Remember to account for your child’s age, gender, interests and room size when selecting appealing, functional shades. Neutral backdrops with colorful accents are generally pleasing and easy to change over the years. Trust your child’s reactions to color samples. Ultimately select a soft, soothing palette that delights your son or daughter and makes their bedroom a space they look forward to spending time in. With the right paint colors and finishes, you can create a bedroom that grows with your child while reflecting their unique personality.
