Our bedrooms are our sanctuaries and should feel like a safe, comfortable space to spend time in, but the colour of the walls and decor can often make or break a bedroom.
Several studies have shown the impact colours can have on our moods, motivation, and sleep quality; and choosing the right colour for your bedroom can help you unwind at night and conquer the day.
Read on to explore the best colours for a bedroom to ensure restful nights and seamless mornings.
The Power Of Colours
Colour psychology, the study of how colours determine human behaviour, plays an often unnoticed role in our daily lives.
Public spaces like hospitals and offices have used this psychology to decorate their space. Hospitals often use white to represent a clean space, while offices often use blue to increase focus and boost productivity.
Different colours can promote different physical and emotional reactions—when it comes to choosing a colour for your bedroom, you should keep in mind the impact it may have on your mood and ability to rest. Several studies have proven that our mood can directly impact our quality of sleep.
If you are feeling anxious or stressed, you can have a physical reaction that will hinder your sleep. That proves the importance of choosing a bedroom colour that makes us feel comfortable and calm. Warm and cool tones may have opposite effects on our mood.
Colour responses may vary between different people. The way you respond to certain colours is often personal and is based on your associations with them, but understanding colour psychology can help your narrow your choices and choose the perfect colours for your bedroom.
What Are The Best Colours For A Bedroom?
Some colours are known for their relaxing qualities, while others are known to create urgency and sometimes even feelings of anxiety. The combination and balance of the right colours in your bedroom can lead to restful nights and easy mornings.
If You Need A Pick-Me-Up
If you’re finding that your drab walls are making it harder to hop out of bed in the morning, you may want to consider an energetic, bright colour change for your walls. Bright colours simulate sunlight and nature, and you may find your space brighter and more light-filled.
Yellow
Yellow is a universally happy colour. It is associated with positive emotions like happiness and encourages creativity. Yellow is attention-grabbing and can brighten any room—it is especially helpful in rooms that do not have much or any natural light.
Too much yellow can be overwhelming and invoke feelings of anxiety, so you may want to opt for painting only one wall yellow or using a lighter, calmer shade.
From deep sunflower and saffron shades to delicate pastels, yellow is an excellent choice for a calm, relaxing atmosphere.
Pink
Pink is associated with positivity and calmness. Lighter shades are more calming than bolder, hotter pink shades. You can decorate with neutrals to tone down the colours and create a calming sanctuary.
Pink is a popular choice for many people. You can select shades of the ever-popular rose gold to accent your space or a lovely dusty rose.
If You Are Looking To Wind Down
If you are having trouble sleeping at night, your room colour may be to blame.
Blue
A sleep study of 2,000 British homes found that individuals sleeping in a blue bedroom are getting a better night of sleep than those sleeping in bedrooms decorated in other colours.
Several other studies have found that colours like blue and green can decrease blood pressure, while red and yellow elevated it.
Blue is a common choice for those looking to decorate their homes. You can accent your baby blue, cerulean, or pastel walls with matching blue bedsheets, rugs and decor.
Green
Green is another colour that, when mixed with the right neutral decor, can transform a room into a calming oasis. It has been found, along with blue, to be a calming colour.
If you like plants and other greenery, shades of forest and sage can bring out your indoor garden.
The Benefits Of A Room Re-Do
Re-doing your room may improve your sleep schedule and your overall mood. Whether you need a pick-me-up or more restful nights, a simple room renovation could be the solution.
In general, we like to feel in control of our lives. If you’re under a lot of stress, changing what you can in your environment can help promote mental stability and clarity. Redecorating can allow you to repurpose items you love while also bringing in new things.
If you’ve recently moved into a new house, redecorating can make you feel like you truly belong in the new home. By painting over old walls and adding new statement pieces, you can make your new place feel like it truly belongs to you.
Common Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)
Colour choices can make or break a bedroom. However, these common design mistakes can be avoided with the proper knowledge about colour theory and your reactions to different colours.
Don’t Go Too Bold On The Colour
Bold colours like hot pinks, harsh reds, and sunny yellows can be tough on the eyes and provoke feelings of anxiousness. Consider using these shades as an accent wall, or try off-setting them with lighter shades of the same colour. For example, pair a hot pink accent wall with lighter shades of pink or neutral walls.
Not to say that bold colours are bad – they simply have to be paired well. Consider your other decor and your furniture. You don’t want your other belongings to clash with your walls because you went with a colour that was too vibrant for the space.
Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment With Neutrals
Too much of any colour can become overwhelming. You can use neutral accents or other shades of your desired colour to avoid repetitiveness. This can help bring natural light into your space and bring out any other wall decor such as pictures and painted accents.
Don’t Avoid Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Some people tend to choose their favourite colour or go with a safe neutral when picking a colour for their bedroom. However, this may not be the best choice—your favourite wall colour may be taking a toll on your sleep schedule.
Remember, paint can always be covered. If you select a colour you don’t like, you can always paint over it later on. Many stores provide swatch cards or even small paint samples you can use to test your potential colours before you make your final decision.
The Bottom Line
The colour of a room is everything, and making the right design choices is crucial.
Different colours can incite different emotional and physical reactions which can impact your mood, how well you can sleep, and how you feel when you wake up.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with colours you may not have originally thought of.
Who knows, you may discover a shade you adore.
