Choosing a color is about much more than just aesthetics; it is also important to consider how you want feel in this room. Take your bedroom, for example. While your personal space is a great opportunity to showcase your unique personality, it’s just as important that your design choices are functional too. That’s why you should consider some of the best bedroom paint colors that can create an oasis of calm and relaxation.
Sue Peacock, a UK-based psychologist who specialises in sleep, says the way a room looks can have a direct impact on your wellbeing. “Colours can affect you psychologically, including your ability to sleep,” she says. “Some colours can induce relaxation, while others stimulate your mind and make you more alert.”
While certain colors correspond to psychological principles that promote calm, not everyone experiences colors the same way. For example, Tamra Fuscaldo, the director of interior design at MA Design, says neurodiverse individuals may process brighter hues more intensely, in ways that stimulate the autonomic nervous system. Your body and mind are unique, and the goal is to choose colors that feel calming to you individually. “It’s important to think of bedrooms as ‘sanctuaries’ where we feel safe and protected,” Fuscaldo says of choosing a bedroom color that works for you.
The best bedroom color: blue
While your personal preferences certainly play a role in what helps you relax before bed, there is one color that stands out above all the rest when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep: blue. “Not only are shades of blue more muted, but they also have a more calming effect on the brain,” says Peacock. For example, studies have shown that blue lowers breathing and heart rate, which is very helpful when falling asleep. While all shades of blue can create a calming atmosphere, Peacock recommends using lighter shades on bedroom walls for the best sleep-inducing effect.
Sleep psychologist and sleep coach Katherine Hall, who works with Somnus Therapy, agrees. Light blue – like Benjamin Moore’s Summer Shower in the bedroom pictured above – is scientifically linked to feelings of calm and serenity, she says, adding: “Studies have also shown that people sleep best in homes with blue bedrooms compared to any other color!”
The second best colors for bedroom painting
Although blue is the first choice for a restful night’s sleep, you shouldn’t limit yourself to this one color when decorating your bedroom; design experts also recommend a few other colors to create an equally calming atmosphere.
Green
Because green can be reminiscent of nature, Peacock says it can put you in a relaxing mood. Opt for soft and natural sage greens that will lull you to sleep, like the California bedroom pictured above, coated in Sagey by Sherwin-Williams. Or, choose a teal option to combine that oceanic calm with those natural vibes.
Gray
According to designer Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs, greige – a combination of gray and beige – can also have a surprisingly calming effect. “This combination gives a bedroom a dreamy feel, almost like you’re in a Jane Austen novel,” she says. “The colors together create a natural feel in a bedroom, giving you the natural feeling of being in a garden or an old European town.”
Or designer and author Rebecca Atwood suggests balancing the somber tones of grey with a shade that leans slightly green, such as Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle, which she says has a nature-inspired “invisible feel… like mist or fog.” “If you’re going to use more grey in the bedroom, I think it’s important that it’s chromatic so it doesn’t look dreary,” explains Atwood.
Pink
Don’t underestimate pink—as Atwood notes, this color “doesn’t have to seem too sweet,” depending on how you style it. “Think of the glow of golden hour,” she adds. Her own former bedroom in Brooklyn was painted in Farrow & Ball’s Calamine, and in her daughter’s current bedroom, she used the brand’s Setting Plaster paint for an earthier, slightly brown-toned aesthetic.
The best color ideas to consider
Not all blues and greens have the same psychological impact, so it’s important to choose colors that actually look and feel peaceful. Alice Chiu, a San Francisco-based interior designer and principal of Miss Alice Designs, recommends Sherwin-Williams’ Hazel 6471, a gorgeous shade of teal, as perfect for the bedroom. Not only will the color’s calming tones help you relax before bed; it can also help your bedroom feel larger, as it naturally brightens the space with its vibrancy.
Not quite ready to switch from one neutral color to another? Then aim for a neutral color with bluish tones. As an alternative, Chiu suggests Gray Owl OC-52 by Benjamin Moore, a clean and refreshing gray that can have a blue or green undertone depending on the natural light in your bedroom and the surrounding furniture and materials. “It’s the perfect gray that suits any style from traditional to modern and creates a relaxing and calm appearance,” she says.
Amy Peltier, interior designer and owner of Peltier Interiors, says her favorite calming green is Hollingsworth Green HC-141 by Benjamin Moore. “This color evokes images of gardens, grass and nature,” she says.
Are there any colors that interior designers would avoid in the bedroom?
Below, design and color experts weigh in on colors they typically advise against. But remember, there are no hard and fast “rules” when it comes to your personal taste. Consider these general guidelines, and if there’s a particular shade or color you love for your bedroom, use it!
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Red. As a rule of thumb, it is best to avoid strong colors in bedrooms, including bright red. (Mr. Big’s bedroom wall in the original film “Sex and the City”? We’re looking at You.) Hall says the brain associates red tones with intensity, passion, war and danger, which aren’t exactly sleep-inducing. “Research suggests that red can heighten your fight-or-flight instinct, making you more alert and aware of your surroundings,” Peacock says.
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Orange. “There is some science behind how colors affect the brain,” says Lisa Rickert, founder and creative director of Jolie Home. “If you’re choosing a color for your bedroom and you actually want to sleep, I would stick with muted blues and greens. Colors you should definitely avoid are bright yellow, red and orange.”
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Light green. Hayslett agrees that bright or neon colors can also be too stimulating when preparing for sleep. She particularly warns against shades like lime green or highlighter yellow, as these are likely to “keep you awake at night, even when the lights are off.”
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Brown. Dark grays and browns may seem earthy at first, but according to Peacock, they can create feelings of insecurity that can make it difficult to fall asleep.
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Anything that is saturated. “It’s no wonder that Smoke 2122-40, Collingwood OC-28 and Wickham Gray HC-171 are among Benjamin Moore’s popular bedroom colors,” says Hannah Yeo, color and design expert at Benjamin Moore. “These light, muted shades promote relaxation and comfort, setting the right mood for a good night’s sleep. Bright, saturated colors, on the other hand, can induce a feeling of alertness. Keep the vibrant shades for statement walls or for rooms that require a lot of energy.”
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Anything that doesn’t work for You. Ultimately, listen to your body’s signals. “I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a bedroom color,” says Jamie Davis, co-founder and owner of Portola Paints & Glazes. “Everyone is different, and a color that gives you a headache may make someone else super happy.” Plus, at the end of the day, if you’re not completely happy with the look and feel of your bedroom, you can always paint over it.
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