When designing or choosing a bedroom, one of the most important considerations is the color of the walls and decor. The colors in a room can greatly affect how restful and sleepy the environment feels. For many people, being in a calming, sleepy space is key to falling asleep quickly and getting a good night’s rest.
How Color Affects Mood
Color has a powerful impact on mood and emotions. This effect is due to how the wavelengths of light for different colors stimulate the brain and trigger chemical reactions. Cooler, paler colors like blue, green, and lavender are often associated with calmness and relaxation. Warmer, brighter colors like red, orange, and yellow are associated with energy, excitement, and wakefulness.
Studies have shown that being surrounded by cool colors lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety levels. These physiological effects make a person feel more relaxed and sleepy. Warm colors have the opposite effect – they raise blood pressure and increase arousal and alertness.
Best Colors for a Bedroom
When choosing paint colors or decor for a bedroom, cool colors in the blue, green, purple, gray, and neutral palettes are ideal for promoting sleepiness and relaxation. Here are some of the top colors to consider:
- Blues – Blue is one of the most commonly recommended bedroom colors as it has a very calming, peaceful effect. Lighter shades like sky blue and periwinkle are especially serene. Navy blue can also work well.
- Greens – Green is associated with renewal, relaxation, and harmony. Sage green, seafoam green, and lime green are great sleep-inducing shades.
- Purples – Lavender and lilac are excellent bedroom colors with their soft, soothing essence. These shades bring to mind aromatherapy with lavender oil.
- Grays – Cool grays make wonderful bedroom colors that aren’t completely flat or depressing. Look for tones with hints of blue or green.
- Neutrals – Off-whites, beiges, and cream shades are calm and inviting bedroom colors. They serve as quiet backdrops for restful sleep.
Some examples of pleasing paint color combinations could include a light blue-gray on the walls with crisp white trim, a lilac purple accent wall with neutral beige other walls, or a sage green and cream color scheme.
Worst Colors for Bedrooms
On the other hand, warm colors like the following may make it harder to wind down at night and fall asleep:
- Reds – While not inherently bad, bold reds may feel too stimulating for a bedroom. But muted dusty roses or burgundies could work.
- Oranges – Vibrant oranges or peachy tones tend to energize and activate the mind, clashing with the desired sleepy effect.
- Yellows – Bright, sunny yellows can feel upbeat but anxious. However, buttery cream shades work well.
- Browns – Deep browns sometimes feel too heavy, while pale browns lack character. But mocha colors can be cozy.
In general, aim for cooler, more muted versions of warmer colors if using them. And limit them to accents like artwork and decorative pillows rather than dominating wall colors.
How Lighting Affects Sleep
Along with paint and decor colors, lighting also impacts how sleepy or awake a room feels. Here are some tips for lighting to enhance sleep:
- Use dimmer switches on all bedroom lights to control brightness and create a relaxed ambience at night.
- Install room-darkening shades or curtains to block out light from windows, streetlights, etc.
- Avoid blue light from TVs, laptops, and phones before bed – the blue wavelength tells the brain to wake up.
- If using bedside lamps, choose bulbs with a warmer tone rather than cool fluorescent or LED lights.
- Try smart bulbs that can gradually dim and change color/temperature, syncing with circadian rhythms.
The right lighting along with soothing paint colors can make a bedroom much more conducive to restful sleep.
Conclusion
The optimal colors for bedrooms are cool, lighter shades in the blue, green, purple, gray, and neutral families. These colors have relaxing, sleep-inducing effects. Warmer, brighter colors like reds, oranges, and yellows tend to energize and keep people awake. But incorporating calming lighting and decor elements can help warmer tones work in a bedroom. Ultimately, the colors you choose for your bedroom should evoke a sense of peace, relaxation, and tranquility to enhance your sleep environment.
References
Here are some references used in researching this article:
- McRaney, D. (2018). You Are Not So Smart. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
- Mahnke, F. (1996). Color, Environment, and Human Response. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
- Eiseman, L. (2006). Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color. Cincinnati, OH: HOW Books.
- Elliot, A. (2015). Color psychology: Effects of perceiving color on psychological functioning in humans. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 95-120.
- Gordon, K. (2014). The colors of calm: Reduce stress with simple color changes at home. London, UK: Duncan Baird Publishers.
Examples of Soothing Bedroom Color Schemes
| Color Scheme | Paint Colors | Mood Created |
|---|---|---|
| Light blue-gray walls with white trim | Benjamin Moore Crystalline, Sherwin-Williams Mindful Gray, Behr Wolf Creek | Tranquil, relaxed |
| Lilac purple accent wall, beige other walls | Behr Lilac Fields, Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige | Soothing, romantic |
| Sage green and cream | Benjamin Moore Dragonfly, Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray, Behr Cuddle Up | Balanced, peaceful |
| Dusty rose with mocha accent wall | Behr Pink Trinket, Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze | Warm, welcoming |
Tips for Choosing Bedroom Colors
When selecting paint colors for your bedroom, keep these tips in mind:
- Pick cool shades of blue, green, purple, gray, or neutral tones for max relaxation.
- Limit bright/warm reds, oranges, yellows to decor accents rather than wall colors.
- Look at color swatches at different times of day; colors appear different in morning/evening light.
- Purchase sample pots to paint swatches on walls to test colors in the actual room before committing.
- Opt for muted, dusty versions of warmer colors if using (dusty rose, mocha, burgundy).
- Use multiple shades of one hue; lighter for walls, darker for accents.
- Make sure night lighting is adjustable and free of blue wavelengths from screens.
Choosing sleep-promoting colors for your bedroom along with dim lighting can make a huge difference in the quality of your sleep. Keep these principles in mind as you create a tranquil environment designed for rest and relaxation.
