When choosing a paint color for a boy’s bedroom, there are a few key factors to consider. The color should reflect his personality and interests, allow the room to grow with him, and work well with the existing decor. It’s also important to pick a color that will appeal to boys in general. With so many paint possibilities out there, narrowing down your options can be overwhelming. But fear not – this article covers everything you need to know to select the perfect paint for your son’s space.
Take His Personality and Interests Into Account
The first step in choosing a paint color is to think about your child’s unique personality and hobbies. What colors does he gravitate towards in his clothes and toys? What are his favorite tv shows, movies, animals or activities? If he’s really into sports, painting an accent wall in his favorite team’s colors can be fun. Kids who love the outdoors may enjoy greens, blues or earthy hues. If he’s obsessed with dinosaurs or trucks, incorporate these with stenciled designs or wall decals. Younger boys tend to favor primary colors, while teens may opt for more sophisticated neutrals or bold shades. The main idea is to select a color that excites your child and reflects who he is.
Consider the Room’s Purpose and Growth Potential
It’s also wise to think about the room’s size, layout and how you want it to be used now and in the future. A very young boy may spend more time playing in his room, so stimulating colors are ideal. For older kids who need a space conducive to studying and hanging out with friends, calmer colors like blue, gray or green are preferable. If the room will eventually be transitioned to another purpose down the road, stick with versatile neutrals. Cooler paint tones can help make a small room feel more spacious. For growing kids, mix timeless neutrals on the larger surfaces with a bold color that can easily be painted over later.
Choose a Color with Broad Boy Appeal
Of course, you can’t go wrong selecting a color most boys tend to adore regardless of age or personality. Here are some of the top paint color options that have widespread appeal for young male sensibilities:
- Navy – A nautical navy blue offers a bold yet sophisticated look.
- Dark Green – An elegant, earthy green shade adds a natural outdoor feel.
- Gray – Cool grays work well in any style of boys room.
- Orange – Vibrant orange makes a fun, energetic color.
- Red – Pure red can be intense, but dusty reds have broad appeal.
- Royal Blue – Crisp and classic, blue offers versatility.
- Neutral – Off whites, beiges and browns work well as a backdrop.
Coordinate with Existing Decor
You’ll also want to pick a paint color that complements the existing furnishings, artwork and decor. Pull out bedding, rugs, window treatments and any other major items you don’t plan to replace. Hold them up to paint swatches to gauge what hues will coordinate. Warm paint colors, like reds, oranges and yellows, pair well with dark woods. Cooler blues, greens and grays match light hardwoods. For a cohesive look, stick within the same color family or complementing palette. If your child already has a favorite decor item, such as a treasured quilt, choose a paint color that works with this piece.
Factor in the Lighting and Undertones
The room’s lighting plays a major role in how the painted color will look. North facing rooms with cool natural light call for warm paint tones, while south facing rooms awash in sunlight can handle cooler hues. Artificial lighting can also impact the way a color appears once it dries on the walls. Test your top choices on a wall at different times of day. Also pay attention to the undertones. Blues with purple or green undertones read differently than true blues, for example. Keep these factors in mind during the selection process.
Consult Trusted Paint Brand Color Palettes
Many major paint companies have carefully curated collections of coordinated colors to take the guesswork out of choosing. Consult the following popular paint brand palettes tailored to appeal in boys’ rooms:
| Brand | Color Palette Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Behr | Boys Room Colors | Vibrant blues, greens and oranges |
| Benjamin Moore | Century | Muted blues, grays and browns |
| Sherwin-Williams | Casual Color Scheme | Earthy greens, tans and blues |
Browse the curated palettes from brands you trust and look for colors marked as recommended for kids’ spaces. This takes the guesswork out of choosing coordinating hues.
Select Meaningful Colors
For some parents, choosing a color connected to special meaning or significance can be meaningful. Here are some ideas for colors with symbolic ties:
- Blue – Calming, loyalty, trust
- Green – Nature, growth, harmony
- Yellow – Joy, energy, optimism
- Red – Strength, power, courage
- Orange – Enthusiasm, creativity, adventure
- Purple – Imagination, wisdom, independence
A color associated with values you want to encourage can make the room feel even more special.
Get Input from Your Child
While you can certainly surprise your child with a colorful makeover, it’s wise to get their input, especially for older boys. Provide a few palettes or chips in your top choices and see what appeals to them. Having a say in the process promotes enthusiasm about the new room. Offer guided choices rather than an open-ended decision for younger kids. Consider making painting an exciting family project you tackle together.
Test Paint Swatches on the Wall
Once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities, buy sample sizes of your top 3-4 contenders. Paint them directly on the wall in 2-3 foot squares, making sure to outline the edges with painter’s tape. Live with them for a few days, observing how the colors look at different times. This allows you to see how the paint interacts with the real world lighting and furnishings. Order full gallons of the 1-2 favorites that stand out in the space.
Pick an Uplifting Ceiling Color
Don’t overlook the ceiling when planning a boy’s room paint scheme. The overhead surface sets the tone for the whole space. White is classic, but pale blue can evoke daytime skies, light green feels natural and sunny yellow is cheery. A painted ceiling adds cohesion by visually connecting walls and lays the groundwork for the room’s mood.
Use Neutrals as a Base
While brighter accent walls work well in kids’ rooms, sticking with all neutral main wall colors has advantages. It creates a cohesive backdrop that allows bolder prints and patterns in art, bedding and decor to shine. Versatile beiges, taupes, grays and whites won’t limit design choices as your child’s tastes evolve. Neutral walls also keep the focus on special colorful features like a vibrant mural or garage door headboard.
Add Interesting Accents
Once main wall colors are chosen, introduce shades from the same palette in accents throughout the space. Paint the inside backs of bookshelves or builtins in a coordinating hue. Opt for a vibrant pop of color on the wall behind a desk or bed. Use borders and geometric designs to break up large neutral expanses. Painting crown molding, baseboards, window trim or a ceiling medallion amplifies your scheme. Just stick with colors in the same family so the room doesn’t feel chaotic.
Make it Durable and Washable
Since bedrooms double as playrooms and hangouts for young kids, the paint you choose needs to stand up to wear and tear. Look for paint with scrubbable matte or eggshell finishes specifally formulated for high traffic areas. Flat paints show scuffs and stains easily. Glossy finishes can feel overly reflective. Midrange sheens clean up well while maintaining nice texture. Consider wipeable liquid wallpaper or decals for high impact with less maintenance.
Use Paint to Zone Spaces
In a shared or large bedroom, use color to define individual spaces for sleeping, studying, playing, etc. Paint each zone in a different coordinating hue that aligns with the area’s purpose. For example, paint the sleeping area in cool blue for restfulness, make the toy corner bright and energetic, and choose muted greens where focus is needed. Painting focal points, like wall space behind beds or desks, pulls the areas together.
Highlight Architectural Features
Use color to draw attention to any interesting architectural elements in the room. For sloped ceilings, paint the angled sides a contrasting color to accentuate the dynamic shape. Brighten up a room with a vaulted ceiling by painting the ceiling itself sky blue. Make paneled wainscoting or box beams pop with a coordinating color. Paint inside window trims, casings and recessed niches the boldest shade for flair.
Disguise Flaws with Strategic Color
In rooms with imperfections, clever color placement can help disguise problem spots. Dark colors visually recede, making them ideal for hiding dents or flaws. Contrasting colors emphasize and bring forward, so apply them to downplay areas you want to minimize. Neutral beiges, tans and grays blend into the background, concealing irregular corners or slopes. Bright color on one wall draws the eye to the flawless ones.
Infuse Your Child’s Interests
Beyond just your son’s favorite hues, bringing the colors and themes of his passions into the room adds meaningful personalization. A car enthusiast would appreciate checkered prints that mimic a finish line. Use stencils to create subtle race car shapes. A aspiring astronaut might enjoy a galaxy mural, planets decals or night sky blue walls. Make it multi-dimensional by painting constellations on the ceiling. For the sports buff, paint a accent wall in team colors and use decals or wall graphics to depict that sport. Infusing your child’s loves makes it their special space.
Incorporate Inspiring Quotes or Phrases
Encouraging words inspire and uplift. Paint a meaningful quote, motto or phrase on one focal wall. Choose sentiments that reinforce values you want to instill, like strength, courage, kindness or confidence. Opt for sayings from loved ones, favorite books, songs or family in-jokes. Use wall decals for ease, or hand paint the text for a personal touch. Placing inspirational messages at eye level radiates positivity.
Add Whimsical Wall Art
Wall murals, hand painted scenes, custom maps or decals carry color schemes in a playful way boys love. Look for wall coverings that tell a story aligned with your child’s interests. A map of the world sparks dreams for future explorers. A hand painted mural depicting his prized possessions makes the room uniquely his. Use removable wall decals to add color pops in favorite designs. These creative accents infuse personality while complementing the main hues.
Incorporate Colorful Storage
Painting cabinets, bookshelves, chests or cubbies builds on the color palette in a fun, functional way. Even coat shelves and desk organizers in hues pulled from the main walls for curated coordination. Paint the backs of bookcases or builtins a bold complementary color for a cheerful surprise when opened. Match bins, baskets and storage accessories to wall tones. This color repetition looks polished while adding spots to stash necessities.
Choose Colorful Bedding
An energetic comforter, vibrant sheets or patterned duvet cover brings the color scheme together in the bedroom area. Pull at least one shade for bed linens from the wall colors for cohesion. Mixing patterns and solids allows you to layer on more colors. Continue the palette in coordinating pillows and shams for the complete package. Finish it off with a painted headboard for a pulled together sleep space bursting with color.
Add Pops Through Accessories
Fill the space with accessories echoing colors in the walls for a harmonious look. Frame favorite photos or art prints in coordinating mats and frames. Choose patterned curtains that contain some wall paint shades. Incorporate colorful, patterned rugs. Match desks, nightstands and other furniture to maintain the flow. Scatter throw pillows, blankets and lampshades in corresponding brights and neutrals. Repeating these colors throughout provides polish.
Conclusion
With so many factors to weigh, it can be daunting to select the perfect paint for your son’s bedroom walls and ceiling. Keep his personality first, coordinate with existing pieces, consider the mood you want to create and test out samples. Opt for durable, washable paints suited for kids’ spaces. Tie it all together by echoing colors throughout the room’s decor and accessories for a harmonious look. Most of all, have fun with the endless colorful possibilities to design a room as unique as him!
