When mapping out and designing your dream bedroom, there are lots of factors that come into play. Some of these may include:
- Functionality – how to make the space work best for you and your needs.
- Bed Size and Height – Twin, Queen, or King? Low to the floor (Japanese style) or high up? How about a four-poster!? (So fancy)
- Bedside Tables – should you go for open or closed storage? How about a matching or contrasting finish to your bed frame?
- Bed Sheets – What material works best for you? Hot or cold sleepers may have different preferences on this one.
- Comforter or Duvet Cover – a personal choice! Do you prefer a convenient, all-in-one comforter for easy bed making, or a versatile duvet cover with the option to use different inserts depending on the weather?
- Lighting – warm or cooler lightbulb tones can totally change the vibe of a space. Same goes from dimmer switches versus bright lights.
- Artwork and Decoration – accent walls? Artwork? Mirrors? Plants for décor?
There are so many options and considerations!
However, one thing’s for certain: when it comes to bedroom design, one of the most important factors of all is color. The choice of color for your bedroom walls (as well as other surfaces) runs far deeper than simply selecting a tone that’s easy on the eye, or one that you normally gravitate towards in fashion or art. Why? Because it should be aimed at optimizing one thing, and one thing only: your sleep.
You've heard it before - sleep is key for your body, mind, and soul. Getting a good night's rest will help you feel your best no matter what time of day it is, improving your ability to concentrate, retain information, and make solid decisions. Sleep helps you maintain your physical health, enhancing your body’s ability to fight disease. It even affects your metabolism and risk of chronic disease.
So, can your bedroom’s color really affect your quality of shut eye? In short: yes! According to color psychology experts, color is a powerful force that carries emotional and psychological connotations, and has tangible effects on your mood and state of mind. While some colors may carry subjective associations (due to things like childhood memories, upbringing, or cultural norms), others have more general, universal associations and tend to evoke certain emotions.[1]
All this means that, when looking for the best bedroom colors for sleep, it is essential to keep in mind the ways that different colors can affect your mood; this can help you manipulate your sleep space for better sleep. The best bedroom color choices will promote relaxation and positive energy, with calming hues that will help you drift off faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
Without further ado, let’s begin with some of the best bedroom colors for sleeping soundly (and getting in those rejuvenating zzz’s).
Blue
Blue is generally considered one of the best bedroom colors for sleep, because of its calming effects. Think of a crystal-clear ocean, or a dreamy, clear blue sky… these images evoke soothing, peaceful feelings that often help us to de-stress.
Furthermore, there’s another, more scientific reason as to why blue is a great fit for your bedroom. Did you know that we have special receptors located in the retina of our eyes, called ganglion cells? These cells process what we see around us and send messages to the hypothalamus part of our brain, responsible for producing certain hormones, including melatonin (famously good for sleep!). Our ganglion cells are said to be particularly receptive to the color blue, making it the perfect color to get you relaxed and ready for bedtime.
Beige/White
Neutral hues such as beige or white are very popular bedroom color choices, for numerous reasons; they are clean, serene, polished, non-distracting, and provide the perfect blank slate for versatile decorating!
Painting your bedroom in one of these simple colors is a safe bet. And if you find white or beige a little cold or impersonal for your taste? Balance things out with an accent wall, or some decorative bedding items to add a pop of color.
Pastel Tones
Pastel and muted shades are typically better for sleep than more vibrant ones, as bold colors can have an energizing effect – the opposite of what you need for a good night’s rest!
Gentle, non-threatening tones like light pink and light yellow, in particular, are great choices for your bedroom walls – these calming hues will make you feel safe and bring a smile to your face.
Green
When you think of green, it’s hard not to think of nature – trees, plants, and flowers that provide a calming and soothing sensation among the hustle and bustle of busy city life. This makes green an ideal color for your bedroom.
For maximum tranquility and calmness, muted or lighter green tones are a great choice – try to steer clear of bright greens for that ultra-chill vibe.
We couldn’t discuss the best bedroom colors for sleep without also giving you some advice about which colors are best to avoid. Color psychology experts claim that the following colors are either too stimulating for our minds, or tend to provoke negative emotions, both of which are counterproductive to a good night’s snoozin’. Here are the colors your bedroom can do without:
Purple
While certain shades of purple (such a lighter muted or pastel shades – see above) can work to promote peace and harmony, bright purple shades are a no-go when it comes to painting your bedroom.
Said to boost creativity and energy levels, bright purple can lead to a racing mind, vivid dreams, and even nightmares, making it a less-than-ideal choice for this purpose.
Brown
The dreariness and even depressing nature of the color brown does not create the kind of atmosphere you want to be surrounded with while you sleep. It also makes a space look smaller, as is the case with most dark wall colors.
When painted on the walls of a bedroom, brown is said to provoke feelings of anxiety, sadness, and isolation. Therefore, it is generally best to steer clear of this hue (although brown wooden flooring or furniture is not said to have the same effect!).
Red
The brightness and intense energy that comes from the color red is often too overwhelming for use in the bedroom to promote high quality sleep.
Representing power, aggression, anger, and danger in many situations in life, red tends to get pulses racing – this is why it is not a recommended color for the bedroom.
Black
While many people do favor “black-out” curtains or eye masks to create a dark environment for promoting better sleep, black is still not a favorable color for your bedroom walls.
The gloomy associations with the color black, including death, sadness, mourning, and fear, mean that black is best used as an accent color in the bedroom, as opposed to on walls or large furniture items.
And there you have it: your go-to guide for the best (and worst) bedroom colors for sleep! We hope you find it useful for all your home redecoration needs. Remember to use your bedroom wall colors as a complement to other sleep-promoting accessories, including:
- Soft, high-quality, bedding.
- Weighted Blankets.
- Good quality blinds or curtains.
- Sound proofing (if needed).
- A fan or heater (if needed), to get to your perfect sleep temperature.
One final piece of advice: when it comes to decorating your bedroom, don’t sweat it. Even with guidelines like these, this process can be a lot of fun and leave space for ample creativity. Your bedroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, providing the setting for the activity we spend approximately a third of our lives doing – sleeping! – so try and enjoy every second of creating your dream dreaming spot!
[1] https://londonimageinstitute.com/how-to-empower-yourself-with-color-psychology/