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Choose bedroom paint color


How to Choose the Right Paint Colors for Your Bedroom

By

Lauren Flanagan

Lauren Flanagan

Lauren Flanagan is an interior design expert with over 15 years of experience writing, editing, and producing articles for renowned Canadian publications and shows for HGTV on home decor. She worked in high-end home decor retail before discovering her passion was to share what she knew in publications and on television.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 01/10/21

The Spruce / Aubrey Hays & Niv Rozenberg

A bedroom is your personal sanctuary for rest, relaxation, and intimacy. Whether it's a primary bedroom, guest room, teen's room, or nursery, the wall color serves as a reminder of what you want to feel in the room.

For most people, calm and soothing colors are best in a bedroom. However, you may prefer deep, bright, or saturated colors to help you feel more awake, alert, or romantic. Set the right mood by considering how to pick colors for bedroom walls from these three groups of popular hues.

About This Term: Primary Bedroom

Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.


Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

Soothing Neutrals

Neutral colors are always safe and classic choices for a bedroom. Popular neutral colors include:

Neutral colors are clean backdrops for bedrooms because they work with other bright colors in bedding, curtains, carpeting, and artwork. Neutral bedroom walls allow you to let loose by using accenting vivid colors and patterns to transform the space. If you prefer to keep your bedroom all neutral, add interest with layered bedding and textured accessories for a soft tone-on-tone style.

Learning how to choose neutral bedroom colors means taking into consideration the paint's underlying tones. For instance, white paint is rarely just pure white. Paints are often mixed with other hues to create subtle undertones of pink, blue, yellow, or brown, for example. The undertone should match your furnishings, carpet, and bedding or the room could feel unpleasant. Paint experts at your paint store can help you determine the best neutral shade and undertone for your bedroom.

Peaceful Pastels

Pastel colors are soft, relaxing, and result in serene surroundings. The best pastel colors for bedrooms include:

A bedroom with a pastel wall color can look elegant. Find the sophisticated side of pastels by mixing and matching a few washed-out colors that you'd find in a favorite quilt, add light gray bedding and accessories into the mix, become inspired by watery coastal hues, or anchor a bedroom with light and pretty walls with darker furnishings.

Expressive Colors

If bold and bright colors make you happy, why not paint your bedroom walls to bring a smile to your face? If you're an energetic person who loves to be surrounded by saturated colors, embrace the look. For example, if you love bright, fresh interiors, try deep spring green walls. Experiment with lively combinations, such as coral and dark green or red and taupe.

There are a couple of guidelines to remember when choosing dark paint colors for bedrooms, such as black or navy blue, especially if the space is small.

Keep in mind that light colors make a space look larger and darker colors make a bedroom appear smaller. If there's a lot of natural light streaming into the bedroom, the room can also appear larger

Designer-Approved Rules to Follow When Choosing Paint Colors for Your Bedroom

We’ve seen bedroom walls in every color of the rainbow and beyond, and many of us have experimented with plenty of different shades over the decades—remember that too cool turquoise bedroom from your teenage years? However, this doesn’t mean that designers agree that every single hue is destined for a sleep space. “Your bedroom should be a reprieve,” designer Chelsea Robinson noted, and the other designers we spoke with agreed. Thus, most pros will say that soothing colors are a go while bold, vibrant shades are better suited for other spaces. Which colors in particular should you toss into the “no” pile? Read on to hear what the experts think.

Unpopular Opinion: 5 Reasons White Walls Are the Best

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What color should the bedroom be

Man is constantly surrounded by smells, sounds, sensations that form an idea of ​​the surrounding world. The most informative sense organ is sight. We see the faces of loved ones, admire works of art, admire amazing pictures of nature, rejoice at our native walls when we return home.

The perception of life would be inexpressive and featureless if all these visual images did not have colors. Without a palette of tones around us, it is difficult to adapt to the environment, it paints life with emotions, makes us think creatively, choose and act.

What color to choose for the bedroom - the main factors

Color is a whole science. Its natural factor, the totality of physical characteristics, the presence of the phenomenon of color in culture is studied by color science. There is another science - coloristics, which explores color in the aspect of philosophy and psychology. Color models, shades have a huge impact on the human subconscious. With confidence backed up by scientific research, one can characterize color as a great psychologist.

Every evening we go to the bedroom to rest, sleep, gain strength for the next day. Since color can influence the human psyche, we have the opportunity to receive the service of a professional "psychologist" from the color design of the room: positive emotions, comfort, complete relaxation, and, as a result, sound, healthy sleep. This is the case if its color scheme is chosen correctly!

The choice of palette and bedroom design is individual. Someone likes natural greenery that is pleasing to the eye, someone will prefer the warm shades of autumn, the originals will choose a combination of contrasting bright tropical strokes. But there are at least three main factors that should be followed when choosing paints:

The existing canons of style always define the main color compositions. For example, a universal white color scheme is suitable for classics, minimalism, Provence, high-tech styles.

The lilac color is more selective, it is used in the design of oriental style, art deco, eclecticism.

In dim, subdued light, dark tones are unacceptable.

For small sizes, light colors are more suitable, which can be enlivened with bright accents in the form of pillows, paintings, lamps.

For a large room, the choice of color palette is wider. Hue plays an important role, any color has many options for tone and degrees of saturation.

What psychologists say

It is worth listening to the opinion of professionals, especially when it comes to the design of a place of rest. Psychologists have specific recommendations on the color design of the bedroom. Most of them agree that calm, pastel colors are the best choice. They contribute to good sleep, relaxation, restoration of energy spent during the day. There is also a specific color leading in all polls and ratings - beige and its shades. It looks great in the interior, conducive to a creative approach in working on a bedroom design project.

Psychologists consider the popular white color to be excessively cold. But it is not at all necessary to refuse a pure, light tone and its varieties (pearl, ivory, milk and others). It must be applied skillfully and thoughtfully so that the bedroom does not resemble a branch of a medical institution and is not faceless and empty. White color scheme is the perfect backdrop for all decorative elements. It will emphasize the beauty of textiles and lamps, highlight a spectacular dresser or console, visually enlarge the space and fill it with freshness.

For adults who want to relax before going to bed, green and yellow tones are more suitable than others.

Young people and teenagers who spend their days actively require a quick transition from vigorous activity to rest. This will contribute to the blue and blue colors.

Psychologists do not refuse bright orange, which will perfectly enliven a children's bedroom. Scarlet, coral, burgundy colors are applicable in the design of matrimonial chambers.

It is recommended to place fragments with non-standard colors on the wall at the head of the bed.

Feng Shui rules

Fashionable oriental philosophy also contributed to the creation of the bedroom interior. Following its postulates, it is necessary to take into account:

  1. A bedroom facing north or northwest should be decorated in blue tones diluted with other colors.
  2. The south side requires red, but in a restrained composition.
  3. Eastern and southeastern directions prefer the color of natural greenery.
  4. Gray, silver, purple, lemon colors are preferred to the West.
  5. Northeast, southwest orientation should repeat the colors of the Earth, close to natural brown, terracotta, coffee and beige colors are needed.

The Chinese consider the bedroom to be the most important room in the house and put maximum effort into decorating it. In addition to the "wrong" colors, the Feng Shui treatise prohibits the installation of a suspended ceiling, TV and mirrors in the bedroom. The door to the sleeping room must be kept closed at all times.

Dependence on cardinal points

All colors are divided into warm and cold. There are special tables that clearly demonstrate this distinction. The most popular "cold" colors that are used to decorate the bedroom are white, gray, green, blue, blue, turquoise, lilac, purple and their shades. "Warm" are: yellow, beige, orange, pink, red, burgundy, brown and their tones.

Now let's turn to the question: which side of the world is your bedroom facing?

South

There is enough light in the room, but the excess of the sun is tiring and its partial neutralization is desirable. In this regard, it is recommended to use the colors of the cold palette. It is able to weaken the saturation of light, bring coolness, and at the same time visually enlarge the room, add space, positive. In such an interior, dark and bright colors are quite appropriate as a finish.

North

In a north-facing bedroom, the sun will be a rare visitor. In clear weather, the light penetrating into it will bring a bluish tint to walls and objects, in a gloomy and cloudy sky, the tone of daylight will be gray. To correct the lack of light and neutralize the gloomy component, it is advisable to use warm colors for decoration. Deep, saturated shades are suitable, there is a reason to refuse white.

East

The sun shines through the bedroom window facing the sunrise in the morning. With its golden rays, the green color and its shades are in perfect harmony. Cool turquoise, lilac, gray colors will be a good solution.

West

from the bedroom can be observed. I want to extend this ritual, to delay the rays of the departing luminary longer. Beige, sand, chocolate colors, soft shades of brown will help. The presence of decorative elements, textiles of bronze and golden hues will duplicate the evening reflections, bring additional comfort to the interior.

What color to paint the bedroom in - the optimal range of colors and top 20 successful color combinations Top 20 Solutions!

1. Pure white combined with black is a stylish and timeless solution. Geometric classics: polka dots, checkerboard cells, contrasting zebra stripes, ornaments and patterns of various themes look win-win.

2. White plus brown allows you to form complex decor designs, experiment with patterns and textures, include third colors, such as gold, turquoise, beige. In bedrooms with good lighting, brown color should prevail, in the northern chambers - white.

3. White and turquoise bring a sense of joy and serenity. Let white prevail, refreshing turquoise give accents and design details.

4. Unobtrusive beige and brown color noble, elegant combination. This bedroom is warm, cozy and comfortable. The beige color creates a good background, visually increases the volume, allows you to use other colors in the decoration: green, burgundy, yellow, white.

5. Beige together with blue will create a romantic space, fill the bedroom with a fresh breeze. Cold blue can be turquoise, cornflower blue, emerald green. The warmth of the beige tone, additional yellow or brown colors in the interior neutralize the apparent coldness, add comfort and warmth.

6. Green and white make a great combination. It is so harmonious that psychologists call it "light sleeping pills." Natural colors of light green, pistachio, olive, lettuce, dusty green, jade are refreshing and emphasized by the white gamma. Additional shades are not required.

Complement it with orange, brown or white finishes. The background will serve as a warm peach tone.

8; Green and neutral beige are a wide field for design ideas. Everyone will serve as the main color with equal success. Excessive frills are not needed, an expressive interior will be created by multi-level compositions, floral ornaments, geometric patterns.

9. Deep blue and elegant gray will form successful combinations for a trendy loft style. In order not to create a gloomy atmosphere, one should not overdo it with the blue color; two walls painted in it or large patterns on textiles are enough.

10. Blue plus white. This range will certainly appeal to fans of the marine theme. Don't forget the seascapes on the wall! Ornate patterns will be out of place, white and blue geometry and abstraction are perfect. Light brown or turquoise tones are allowed in the decoration.

Pink powdery and coffee colors create a cozy, intimate atmosphere, conducive to relaxation. Gorgeous ash-pink background with chocolate tone details.

12. Light brown plus blue balance each other. The warmth of the color of natural wood is complemented by the freshness and airiness of blue. Its shades can be any: turquoise, gray-blue, sky blue. Beige, white or gray colors will complement the composition.

13. Relaxing gray and classic white game will remind black and white films or old photos. Geometric patterns, abstraction are perfect for this combination. Do not break the atmosphere of charm with bright details.

On a light gray background, a fuchsia finish will look wonderful. Graphite - will emphasize the elegance of an ash rose, for pearl gray it is permissible to add more pink powder.

15. Gray plus rich yellow are monolithic severity and fun of the sunny "bunny". The background should be a gray tint, it will enliven, add mood and warmth, a bright accent of honey, bright yellow, golden color. A lot of glare is not needed, curtains, pillows, small rugs or a bedspread will cope with this task.

16. Sensual lilac and pure white bring peace, romance and positive energy to the bedroom. Against the dominant white background, the lilac zone at the head of the bed, abstract ornaments on the walls look great. Glossy surfaces and mirrors are desirable in the room.

17. Lilac and deep black. And such a combination is possible! The main thing is to correctly place the accents. Lilac fog and the fantastic presence of a black surface can create an atmosphere of cosmic happiness. Details of black textiles will bring theatrical drama, which will be facilitated by abstract or damask patterns on pillows and bedspreads.

18. Lilac and yellow create a royally opulent setting. A snow-white tone will effectively fit into this luxurious pair in the form of stucco patterns or even moldings on the ceiling. A golden yellow color will be a good background.

This combination of colors certainly requires the presence of a third: beige, light brown or white. Floral ornaments, uncomplicated patterns are appropriate in such a range.

20. Turquoise color plus elegant chocolate combination is bold and stylish. So that the brown color does not introduce gloomy notes into the interior, introduce it in doses, refreshing with a white or milky tone. A cheerful note of turquoise will be very useful.

Tips for choosing

As wise people say: listen to all opinions, and do as you see fit. There are many, many opinions, advice, instructions, suggestions, but you have one bedroom. The final decision is up to the owners of the premises, only they are here to relax, dream, love, dream and make plans for the future. The interior should give spiritual comfort and provide psychological support. Keeping the first sentence of this paragraph in mind, read the good advice.

  1. If you have doubts and the desired composition of the interior color solution is not built, contact a specialist. A professional designer is better than a neighbor or girlfriend to solve the problem.
  2. Listen to your inner voice and choose your preferred colors and shades.
  3. In a room, not only color accents should be harmoniously combined, but also furniture, decorative elements, finishing materials.
  4. Do not forget to take into account the presence of indoor plants in the bedroom, they are also part of the color composition of the room.
  5. Look for examples of bedroom design in magazines, on the Internet. Pay attention to details, style solutions, decor elements, color combinations. Such views are inspiring and often provide answers to burning questions.

The private space of the bedroom should please you first of all. Create aesthetic pleasure for yourself, surround with comfort a night's rest, then you will fall asleep and wake up with a feeling of happiness.

combination, tips, rules for a successful interior from SALON

No one will deny that color combinations affect our mood and well-being. Finding the right combination of colors in the interior of the bedroom is very important. It will simplify the task of analyzing the lifestyle and wishes: do you want to wake up more cheerful in the morning or fall asleep better in the evening, do you use the bedroom only for sleeping or as a cozy room for reading, watching movies alone. Whether you're adding color through paint, wallpaper, textiles, or decorative items, it's best to determine the color direction right away. And our article will help with this.

Project author: Maria Pilipenko


White is the priority

Designers call white the most interesting, sophisticated and richest color. Amazing, right? The reason is. that the white color is very "mobile" and works great with other colors. It is the color of calmness and peace, grace and wisdom.

White color can be warm and cold - the mood of the resulting interior can depend on this. To get the right cool shade, you need to add a little black or blue to the white pigment. The result will be such exquisite shades as "parchment", "alabaster". Warm shades look cozier, they are obtained by adding ocher, sienna and other natural earth pigments to the white pigment, as a result of which the base “warms up”.

Project author: Tatyana Mironova. The decorative solution is based on a combination of basic colors - white, beige, gray - with bright scarlet.

If the windows face east or north, then it is better to choose a warm color of the walls in the bedroom. And, on the contrary, the light coming from the west or from the south is better to compensate with cold shades. White color allows you to level the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room: if the room is small, it is enough to paint the floor and walls white.

White interior is the most neutral and basic. You can create a certain mood with the help of accessories and accents of any color - here you are only limited by your imagination.

Design: Annie Schlechter

Design: ICON

Photo: idealhome. co.uk

Black interior

Total black in the interior of the bedroom is rare, but it looks very impressive. Black tones make the room more graphic and emphasize the strict architecture, make the space more voluminous.

Project author: Olga Mukhina

Author of the project: Olga Mukhina

A few tips for using black in the bedroom:

Design: YoDesign

Project author: Natalya Barkalova

Black and White Story

If a white bedroom is too light for you, and a black one is too dark, try combining these two colors in one room. Such a game of contrasts will make the space more interesting, emphasize the strict forms of furniture. The black and white palette is great for an art deco bedroom with a classic feel.

Author of the project: Elena Tokmacheva. The white interior looks respectable due to the use of high-quality materials, luxury furniture and light.

Authors of the project: Ivan and Veronika Komogortsev

Authors of the project: Ivan and Veronika Komogortsev

A luxurious stucco panel at the head of this bedroom adds sophistication to this bedroom. Refrain - stucco ceiling cornices. The authors of the project are Ivan and Veronika Kolmogortsev.

Shades of pink

When choosing which wallpaper color to choose for a bedroom with a romantic mood, take a closer look at a variety of pink tones - from mother-of-pearl pink to raspberry. A rich and juicy crimson tone will give a feeling of luxury, warm smoky shades will help to make the interior more “fresh” and modern. They can be present in textured materials - velvet, suede or cashmere.

Project author: Alena Yarashevich

The bright color of the flamingo plumage may seem a little naive for use in an adult bedroom, but when paired with sophisticated grayish porcelain shades, you create a very cozy atmosphere. For textiles, designers advise using delicate colors of orchids and dark purple.

Coral is traditionally considered a feminine color, but it is also great for a matrimonial bedroom. It is better to combine it with neutral and cold beige shades. Smoky blue can be used for furniture, such as a sofa or a chaise longue.

Project author: Katerina Sizova

Project author: Nina Ivanenko



Lavender Dreams

Lavender shades are underestimated in modern interiors. But in vain: their use gives the bedroom a new mood and atmosphere. A cool lavender hue and vibrant floral flecks will evoke vacation memories and lift your spirits on a dark, gloomy morning. Lavender goes well with delicate pistachio shades - they can be used for translucent curtains and stained glass candlesticks.

Photo: idealhome.co.uk

Light lavender tones that approach white create a particularly quiet environment. calm atmosphere. The key to such an interior is to use only light pastel shades without bright contrasts.

Design: Cathy Chapman

Grey-blue palette

Today, the most popular wall color in the bedroom for painting is all sorts of shades of gray. This is due to the versatility, practicality of modern interiors and the trend towards Scandinavian style. Particularly stands out against this background is the gray-blue shade, which has already become a classic - it seems to envelop the space, creating an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. To “revive” it, take bright accents, add more light. pinkish-lilac shades will give the room warmth. Caramel pink, red and orange tones will be good in the composition of ornaments or for decorative pillows and blankets.

Design: Arent & Pyke

Photo: Milael Axelsson

Project author: Ksenia Ivanova

The bedroom has a well-balanced "winter" palette - gray-blue, silver, blue, gray and white.

Project author: Ekaterina Bachurina

Beige tones

Beige is the king of shades for decorating the bedroom. And who's to say it's boring? This is already a classic, which is distinguished by comfort, warmth and a truly homely atmosphere.

Project author: Irakli Zaria

How to use beige colors for the bedroom?

Project author: Irina Marodieva

Authors of the project: Kirill Dunaev, Anna Astafieva

Project author: Kirill Ponomarenko

Authors of the project: Maxim Prunkov, Alexander Korolev

Authors of the project: Maxim Prunkov, Alexander Korolev

Red

A very energetic and rich color for the bedroom, which is not for everyone. But if you choose it, you will not regret it - the red color will add sensuality to your interior. Wine color goes well with bluish-red tones and with yellowish hues. He is also friends with the opposite green color.

Pure white will help dilute the saturation of the scarlet color - with it the interior will become lighter, but also noticeably stricter.

Design: Brian J. McCarthy

Photo: idealhome.co.uk

Authors of the project: Ilya Gulyants and Katya Alagich

Project author: Irina Lavrentieva

Citrus fruits in the interior of the bedroom

Sunny yellow and orange shades are what you need for an active and cheerful start to the day. Pair them with bronze and brass metal pieces and dark wood tones for a stunning oriental vibe.

Yellow sand, turquoise shades create harmonious color combinations. With the help of accessories and wooden details, you can create a new interpretation of the yellow interior. Together, brown and gold colors look good in a bedroom setting if the textures are carefully thought out. When looking for fabrics for such an interior, visit sewing shops and choose curtains and upholstery from tweed, wool and thick cotton.

Design: Bon Home Design

Project author: Natalya Shirokorad


Author of the project: Olga Kulikovskaya-Ashby


Project author: Svetlana Khabeeva


Photo: Joschua Mchugh


Author of the project: Anna Chmeleva


Blue Color Palette

In 2020, classic blue will be number one on the Pantone color chart. This means that not only he, but also other variations of blue will be welcome in the interior of the bedroom.

Design: Erica Bronnel

Design: Mally Skok


Project author: Natalia Khudaya


Designers fell in love with light blue tones long before they found out about Classic Blue, so the mint and turquoise bedroom is beyond competition. Pair them with warm earthy tones for a fresh and vibrant palette. Deep turquoise color contrasts beautifully with bright accents of crimson, red, yellow - add them to the interior for a particularly spectacular environment.

Design: ANDdesign

Design: Fede Design

Photo: Anrew Howard


A soft blue hue pairs well with terracotta and plum hues for a bold combination for the bedroom. Blue shades are perfect for "friendship" with deep browns and earthy tones.

The bedroom in pure and sophisticated blue looks like a transparent topaz. Choose transparent fabrics for window decoration and tinted glass lamps and candlesticks. A room in this color is characterized by discreet luxury. Nothing is on display, everything looks elegant.

Design: Enjoy Home

Designed by J. P. Horton

Photo: thedesignfiles.net

Project author: Ekaterina Tretyakova

Author of the project: Olga Kalitina


Author of the project: Olga Chernenko


Author of the project: Tatyana Petrova


Greenery in the interior

Not the most obvious color for decorating a bedroom is green. Many owners of apartments and houses are afraid of it, because improper use of shades can ruin the interior, create a not very healthy atmosphere.

Learn more