When choosing a color to paint a bedroom, there are a few key factors to consider: the mood you want to create, how much natural light the room gets, the size of the space, and color combinations that will look cohesive. Selecting the right bedroom wall color can be tricky, but keeping these elements in mind will help narrow down the options to find a pretty, peaceful color scheme for your personal oasis.
Consider the mood you want to create
One of the most important things when selecting a bedroom wall color is thinking about the atmosphere or mood you aim to cultivate in the space. Do you want an energizing color that invigorates you each morning, or something more soothing and serene? Determining the overall feeling you want the room to evoke will guide you towards colors that align with that goal.
For a relaxing vibe, stick to soft, lighter, more muted or pastel colors like light blues, grays, and greens. These cool undertones are psychologically linked to feelings of tranquility and calm. Bolder, brighter, or warmer shades tend to feel more energetic and vibrant which can be stimulating – great for a home office or creative space, but not as conducive to rest.
If your priority is a soothing sanctuary, lean towards colors like lavender, pale blue, light green, or neutral taupes and grays. Accent walls in more saturated shades of blue or green can add interest while still maintaining a generally peaceful atmosphere.
Factor in the amount of natural light
The quantity and quality of natural light your bedroom receives should weigh heavily in choosing an ideal wall color. North facing rooms with limited sunlight will do best with lighter neutrals that brighten up the space. South facing rooms awash in sun can handle deeper, bolder hues without feeling too dark and cavelike.
Lighter colors like soft blues, grays, and off-whites reflect light well, helping make a darker room feel more open and airy. Deeper colors can make a naturally bright space feel warm and cozy. Bedrooms with eastern or western light exposure fall somewhere in between, and can generally accommodate light to medium depth colors if desired.
As a general rule of thumb, the less natural light in a room, the lighter you’ll want to keep the wall color to prevent the space from feeling drab or uninviting. Use plenty of mirrors, reflective surfaces, and artificial lighting to complement your color choice in low light rooms.
Consider the size of the bedroom
The physical size of the bedroom should also factor into your wall color selection. Just like lighter colors can make a dark room visually brighter, they can also make a small room feel more open and spacious. Darker colors tend to feel cozy and intimate, but in a cramped bedroom can end up making the space feel smaller.
Pale cool tones like blues, greens, and grays are great choices for diminutive bedrooms you want to elongate and enlarge. Warm neutrals like beige and tan work well too. Stay away from deep, dramatic colors like eggplant, navy, or crimson which can overpower a petite bedroom.
For a larger bedroom, you have more flexibility. Here, deeper more saturated colors can make the room feel more welcoming and enveloping. Just be mindful not to go too dark or the expansive space may end up feeling cavernous. Accent walls in a bold color can add visual interest without closing things down.
Combine colors harmoniously
Rarely does wall color look best in isolation. The hues you choose for bedding, furnishings, decor and accessories will interact with your new wall color, so make sure everything plays nicely together. Monochromatic schemes using different shades of one color can offer a soothing cohesive look. For more depth and visual interest, look for analogous colors located next to each other on the color wheel, or complementary pairings of opposite colors like yellow and violet.
If you want a multi-colored look, aim for no more than 3 colors in a room for a coordinated layered effect. Whether matching, contrasting, or accenting, make sure all the colors and finishes you choose complement each other. This helps the space appear thoughtfully curated like a gallery wall, rather than haphazard and messy.
Best bedroom wall colors
Here are some of the most popular, aesthetically pleasing bedroom wall colors to consider:
| Color | Mood Created |
|---|---|
| White or Off-White | Clean, bright, spacious |
| Light gray | Calm, subtle, versatile |
| Pale blue | Peaceful, tranquil, refreshing |
| Soft green | Balanced, renewing, natural |
| Lavender | Relaxing, feminine, romantic |
| Warm neutral like beige or tan | Cozy, inviting, sophisticated |
| Deep blue | Dramatic, enveloping, intimate |
Pastel versions of brighter colors can also work beautifully by adding a wash of understated color. Think pale yellow, soft peach, or powder blue for a subtle pop of color.
Most versatile bedroom wall colors
While color preference is very personal, some universally flattering options rise above the rest in versatility and livability. These sophisticated neutrals pair well with a wide range of furniture finishes and accent colors for an always stylish look:
- White – clean, fresh, illuminating
- Light gray – modern, peaceful, adaptable
- Tan or greige – warm, earthy, calming
- Soft blue-green – tranquil, soothing, natural
Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, Revere Pewter, and Stonington Gray consistently rank among the most popular bedroom neutrals for their flexibility. Many couples find these easier to agree on than bolder colors that suit one person’s taste but not the other’s.
Best color combinations
Some winning color combinations for bedrooms walls include:
- Pale blue, white, and light wood tones
- Lavender walls with crisp white trim
- Warm tan paired with bleached woods
- Sage green walls with antique white molding
- Light gray and black accents for contemporary chic
- Soft peach with white ceiling and wood flooring
Use multiples of a color such as two shades of green or blue for depth. Yellow walls with blue and white accents evoke cheerful cottagecore vibes, while violet walls with green and brass details feel lush and romantic. Whatever color palette you choose, limiting it to 2-4 coordinating colors creates a polished designer look.
Choosing sheens and finishes
Flat or matte finishes minimize imperfections on walls, absorbing light with their non-reflective surface. This can help normalize uneven textures from drywall or plaster. Matte finishes lend a calm, cozy vibe perfect for bedrooms.
Eggshell has a velvety luster that also camouflages minor wall flaws while allowing easy wipe-down for maintenance. Pearl, or satin finish offers a touch of sheen while still diffusing light gently.
Semi-gloss or high-gloss enamel finishes reflect the most light for bright accent walls that mimic lacquered built-ins. Use glossy sheens sparingly though, as they magnify imperfections. Limit them to tight spaces like behind a bed, on the ceiling, or as a bold statement in a well-lit room.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect bedroom wall color ultimately comes down to you and your personal preference. A shade that evokes feelings of tranquility for one person might feel dreary and depressing to someone who favors vibrant colors. While cool pastels and airy neutrals make safe default choices, don’t be afraid to infuse rooms you spend a lot of private time in with colors that lift your mood.
For resale value, the most versatile colors are off-whites, grays, and lighter beiges. But if you don’t mind repainting down the line, choosing a color within the same general hue family as classic neutrals will modernize a space without polarizing buyers. Work with the natural light in the room, choose colors that play off furnishings and decor harmoniously, and strike the right balance between soothing and energizing based on how you want the finished space to feel.
With the wide range of color options to choose from, you can confidently paint your bedroom walls an aesthetic shade that suits your style and creates the vibe you crave. Just be sure to sample the color on the wall before fully committing so you can live with it and be sure the tone and intensity feel right.
