Choosing the right colors for your bedroom can be an exciting yet daunting task. The colors you choose will have a major impact on the overall look, feel and mood of the room. When picked thoughtfully, the right colors can create a restful sanctuary that promotes better sleep and leaves you feeling rejuvenated when you wake up.
So what colors work best for bedrooms? There are a few key factors to consider when selecting bedroom colors:
Complement Your Style
First, think about the overall style you want to achieve in the space. Are you drawn to traditional, modern, coastal, rustic or boho styles? The colors you choose should complement the look you’re going for.
– Traditional styles tend to use muted, subtle tones like beige, taupe, light blue and sage green.
– Contemporary spaces can handle bold pops of color like jewel tones.
– Coastal rooms look great in sandy neutrals, pale blues and greens.
– Rustic rooms love earthy hues like brown, tan, rust and mustard.
– Boho chic spaces use an eclectic mix of saturated colors like teal, berry and lime green.
Whatever your style, make sure the colors you pick enhance the look you envision for the space. This creates harmony and keeps the room feeling cohesive.
Consider the Size of The Room
The size and proportions of the bedroom should factor into your color choice. Lighter, brighter colors help make small spaces feel more open and airy. Soft neutrals like tan, beige and light gray are great small bedroom color options.
Conversely, large master bedrooms can handle deeper, bolder colors that would overwhelm a smaller space. Navy blue, emerald green and wine red all work beautifully in spacious bedrooms.
So think about how color can work with your room’s dimensions. Lighter for small, deeper for large. This helps rooms feel balanced.
Use The 60-30-10 Rule
Interior designers often follow the 60-30-10 rule when selecting a color scheme. This guideline recommends:
– 60% of the room should be a dominant color. This is usually a neutral wall color.
– 30% should be a secondary color. This can include accent walls, furniture, bedding, etc.
– 10% can be a pop of color through accessories like pillows, lamps, art and flowers.
This ratio creates a soothing, layered look. Try pairing a neutral beige or gray for 60% with blue or green for 30% and yellow as the pop of color for 10%.
Consider The Lighting
The natural and artificial lighting in a bedroom also affects how colors appear. North facing rooms with cool, blue tinted light take on a different hue than south facing rooms awash in warm sunlight.
Look at fabric swatches at different times of day. Colors can shift quite a bit. Factor the lighting into your selections so rooms don’t end up too orange or blue. Soft yellow or green tinted lights keep bedrooms feeling bright and balanced.
Use Color Psychology
Different colors invoke different moods and emotions. Use basic color psychology to pick bedroom hues that promote rest.
– Blues and greens evoke calm, relaxing feelings perfect for sleep.
– Neutrals like gray, beige and taupe create soothing, stable environments.
– Soft peach and pink create a nurturing presence ideal for retreat.
Stay away from reds, oranges and other bright, energizing tones that can overstimulate. Stick with colors known to aid serenity and you’ll sleep better.
Popular Master Bedroom Color Combinations
Now that we’ve covered some core considerations, let’s look at some of the most popular, timeless color combinations for master bedrooms:
Grey and White
This simple but elegant pairing works with any decor. Crisp white serves as an airy counterbalance to cool, moody grays. Infuse pops of color through bedding and accessories.
Beige and Blue
Warm beige walls and ceilings complement rich shades of blue that read as crisp and clean. The combo evokes tranquil seaside vibes perfect for relaxation.
Tan and Green
Earthy tan serves as a mellow base layer, while sage greens offer a refreshing accent. Botanical accents tie the look together seamlessly.
Light Gray and Lavender
Two tranquil neutrals that work beautifully together. Soft gray grounds the space while pale lavender adds a delicate, romantic vibe.
Navy and White
Classic navy makes a dramatic style statement tempered by bright white trim and ceilings. The bold combo never goes out of style.
Black and White
A deeply minimalist scheme punctuated by pops of gold or wood accents. The contrast creates a glamorous, opulent look.
Best Neutral Colors for Bedrooms
Want to keep things simple? You really can’t go wrong selecting a neutral palette in calming hues. Here are the best neutral color choices for bedrooms:
| Neutral Color | Mood |
|---|---|
| White | Clean, airy, bright |
| Ivory | Warm, welcoming |
| Beige | Soothing, subtle |
| Tan | Earthy, grounded |
| Light gray | Stable, balanced |
| Charcoal | Dramatic, cozy |
Whites evoke feelings of purity and cleanliness, while beige and tan are centering earth tones. Light grays maintain an airy vibe, with charcoal gray offering more weighted tranquility.
Paint walls or ceilings in your neutral of choice, then layer in textures and patterns through soft furnishings. This prevents blandness.
Best Color Accents for Bedrooms
Looking to liven things up with pops of color? Here are impactful yet tranquil hues to accent neutral bedrooms:
| Color | Personality |
|---|---|
| Baby blue | Dreamy, peaceful |
| Pale green | Soothing, renewal |
| Lavender | Romantic, calming |
| Blush pink | Warm, welcoming |
| Seafoam | Serene, relaxed |
These soft pastels evoke feelings of tranquility and comfort. Use them in artwork, throw pillows, curtains or accent walls. Just keep accents to 30% or less of the room.
Bolder jewel tones like sapphire, emerald and amethyst in small doses also pop beautifully against neutral backdrops. Just take care not to oversaturate the space.
Colors to Avoid in Bedrooms
On the flip side, here are colors you typically want to avoid using prominently in restful bedrooms:
– Bright reds – Too stimulating, can increase stress and anxiety.
– Vibrant orange – Energizing and bright, making it hard to wind down.
– Neon/fluorescent colors – Too harsh and overstimulating for sleep.
– Brown – Can feel monotonous, dated and gloomy in large doses.
– Bright yellow – Cheery but may feel overpowering in a bedroom, especially for sleep.
Use these colors sparingly in bedroom design, like in an accent pillow or piece of wall art. Just don’t paint walls or ceilings in these more assertive, energizing tones. Stick with calmer hues for the bulk of the space.
Conclusion
Choosing bedroom colors requires balancing your style preferences with the mood you want to cultivate. The best combinations use tranquil cool and neutral tones on walls and ceilings balanced with soft pastel or muted earth tone accents.
Consider the room’s size and lighting to pick colors that enhance the proportions. Ultimately, creating a peaceful retreat primed for restful sleep should guide all aesthetic choices. With the right soothing color scheme, your bedroom will become a welcomed escape at the end of each day.
