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What color sheets are best for sleep


Best and Worst Bedroom Colors for Sleep

The bedroom affects your ability to sleep well. When you feel calm and content, you’re more likely to fall asleep quickly. The colors in your bedroom, in particular, can make the difference between a good night’s sleep or a night spent tossing and turning.

Color psychology experts found that some colors put us at ease, while others cause us to feel alert. In our article, we share the best and worst colors for sleep, so you can better understand how color affects the circadian rhythm.

Best Bedroom Colors for Sleep

The best colors for sleep are blue, yellow, green, silver, orange, pink, and white. These colors reduce stress and soothe the nervous system. Try to stick with neutral or pastel shades for a soft, welcoming atmosphere.

Blue

One of the best bedroom colors is blue because it’s associated with calm and relaxation. Blue is a non-stimulating color, while in contrast, a red room stimulates the brain and produces more cortisol, resulting in poor sleep quality.

The brain is more perceptive to the color blue than any other color thanks to special receptors called ganglion cells, located in the retinas. Ganglion cells collect information from visual surroundings and transform this information into chemical signals to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for producing hormones, like melatonin and cortisol.

Melatonin is a sleep hormone and influences the sleep-wake cycle, and cortisol is a stress hormone, keeping your alert during the day. So when you see blue, the hypothalamus produces more melatonin and less cortisol.

Yellow

Softer shades of yellow create a tranquil environment because the muted tone imitates sunshine. Soft yellows alleviate stress and promote tranquility, so you can sleep peacefully.

Brighter hues boost energy and should be avoided. Choose pastels that are light and gently creamy, like an ivory color that’s faded to yellow with time.

Green

The color green is another excellent color choice for relaxation. Green is also another easy color for the eyes to see because, like the color blue, they are sensitive to green light.

Similar to a blue room, a green room helps us feel calm and peaceful because green is a non-stimulating color. The best green colors for sleep should have blue tones—warm tones like yellow may cause you to feel energetic instead of helping you unwind. Remember, pastels are your friend when it comes to promoting sleep, so choose a shade like pastel green.

Silver

Silver is a great choice if you prefer neutral colors. Unlike dark gray tones, silver induces calm feelings instead of depressive ones. Be sure to choose a matte silver color and not a shiny paint—the shine reflects any bright light, keeping you awake.

Essentially, it should be a soothing shade of light gray. If you find light gray or silver is bland on its own, you may want to pair it with a gentle blue accent wall.

Orange / Light Brown

Light orange colors, including tan and beige, have a warm tone reminiscent of a sandy beach, creating a welcoming space in your bedroom. Choose orange colors with brown undertones, like terracotta, and avoid bright orange colors because they are invigorating to the brain, much like a warm and deep red would be. Remember, softness is key when it comes to picking new hues for your bedroom walls.

Pink

Pink may not seem like a good color for the bedroom because of its red tones, but a soft, natural pink gives off a tranquil feeling. Avoid bright red tones that can bring the wall forward and make it pop.

Think instead of cool pinks that help the wall fade into the background of your bedroom. These can still span a wide range, from gentle rosy colors to pale pinks that are almost white.

White

If you already have white bedroom walls, you may not have much reason to change them. It’s a simple, neutral color that is unlikely to create distracting feelings or sensations, though some do find it feels cold and sterile. If you find white walls boring, you might want to try an accent wall with some of our other color recommendations. White goes well with everything, after all.

Bedding that offers muted pastels, neutral tones, and other relaxing colors can keep a white bedroom from feeling uninviting. You can also make the room feel warmer by going with a slightly off-white color, such as ivory or cream tones that can look almost like very pale yellows.

Worst Bedroom Colors for Sleep

Purple, gray, brown, black, and red are the worst colors for sleep. Gray, brown, and black promotes negative emotions, while purple and red boost alertness. Individuals with these bedroom colors are more likely to sleep less than 7 hours each night.

While you can repaint your bedroom walls if you choose a color that simply doesn’t work for you, it’s best to save yourself the hassle of extra work by understanding what hues are linked to stimulating or uncertain feelings.

Bright Purple

Bright purple is not a good choice for the bedroom. Bright purple hues have reddish undertones, increasing energy levels and keeping you alert, but softer purple shades may boost sleepiness.

If you’re set on painting your bedroom purple, try to choose a more muted tone, like lavender, because of its cool undertones. Remember, the goal is to have your bedroom walls almost fade into the background of your mind, not immediately jump out at you every time you look at your wall.

Dark Gray

Dark gray promotes depression because it gives a similar feel to a rainy or overcast day. Dark gray is a good accent color, like a trim along the floor molding and door frame to offset a lighter neutral color. However, painting the entire walls this dark shade and adding gray bedding creates a somber atmosphere.

Silver or gray with blue undertones are better choices if you want a neutral color. As mentioned above, a hint of dark gray is fine for floor trim and such to offset lighter gray shades.

Brown

Brown is a gloomy color, as one 2018 study noted.

Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. The shade can increase subconscious feelings of sadness and cause restlessness instead of sleep—not exactly a cozy feel for the bedroom atmosphere.

Warmer browns with orangish tones can feel calming and soothing, but darker, cooler browns may make it hard to relax.

Red

Red is an invigorating color, increasing heart rate. One study found the color red increases brain activity

Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.  and boosts alertness, something you don’t want when trying to relax and fall asleep. For many, red is a color linked to a perceived threat.

Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.

If you love the color, we recommend pastels that are closer to pink in hue. You can also have an accent wall with soothing white walls, to minimize distraction and stimulation.

Black

Black bedroom walls may sound like a soothing way to improve sleep, promoting a dark sleeping space. In practice, however, black bedroom walls can feel depressive and create feelings of gloom and sadness, similar to how dark brown shades are linked to negative emotions.

If you enjoy the color, black curtains can add a touch of pop against a lighter neutral color and promote darkness for better sleep.

Painting Tips

Before painting the bedroom walls, we recommend establishing a color scheme with sleep-promoting colors and using flat paint to create a cozy environment conducive to sleep.

Color Scheme

Decide on a color scheme for your bedroom before painting to avoid color clashing. Choose colors parallel to each other on the color wheel—contrasting colors are stimulating, because they clash with each other, so instead of a sleep-inducing environment, you may feel anxious and restless. This is especially true if you have three walls that are one color, usually white, and an accent wall.

While we discussed accent walls with a primarily white bedroom, it’s important to remember these should be largely soothing, light colors such as pastels. An accent wall that’s making a statement and providing a bright flash of color should be saved for other rooms in the home, like the kitchen or living room.

Before you start painting, you may want to have a clear idea of what color your bedding will be in your room. While sheets, blankets, duvet covers, pillowcases and pillow shams are all easy to switch out, it’s still helpful to have the right bedding at the start instead of replacing it with more neutral-colored bedding.

Flat Paint

Stick with flat paint, instead of one with a high-shine or glossy finish. The shine reflects light, disrupting sleep. Flatter paints with a matte finish absorb light and are less invigorating, promoting relaxation.

Other Ways to Create a Relaxing Bedroom

If you want to improve your sleep hygiene with the right bedroom set-up, there are a few simple tricks you can consider beyond the colors you paint your bedroom walls.

Darkness in the bedroom is essential. If light tends to slip through your bedroom window at night, you might want to consider blackout curtains that will create an atmosphere that promotes sleep.

It’s also helpful to get as much technology out of the bedroom as possible. Ideally, you should have only your alarm clock and perhaps your cell phone, which should be switched off at night if possible. We suggest keeping TVs and computers out of the bedroom, as they can feel distracting even if they are switched off.

If you can, try to use your bedroom during the day as little as possible. For example, if you work from home, resist the temptation of working on a laptop in bed. Instead, try to save your bedroom for sleep and sleep alone.

Re-doing your sleeping space for increased comfort doesn’t have to break the bank, as there are plenty of budget-friendly hacks and DIY tricks to makeover your bedroom, as Redfin discusses. You can even get creative with stencils and create a design that mimics wallpaper without the cost and bring in distinct textures with different fabrics and materials.

Typically, the most expensive part of any comfortable bedroom is the mattress. However, you can squeeze the highest value from your bed by equipping it with one of the most durable mattresses on the market.

We have other guides that suggest ways to create the best bedroom setup for sleep:

FAQs

What color light helps you sleep?

Warm light is better for sleep because the eyes are less sensitive to the longer wavelengths in warm light. Light bulbs with a yellow or red hue and are best for bedside lamps. Blue light, on the other hand, is the worst for sleep. Blue light from LED light bulbs and electronic devices disrupts melatonin production because your eyes are more sensitive to blue light.

Are white sheets a good color for sleep?

White bedding is an excellent choice for sleep because the neutral tone doesn’t stimulate the brain, unlike bright red and purple tones. White is neutral and has a relaxing effect, pairing well with other colors conducive to sleep, including blues and yellows.

What colors make a room look bigger?

Soft shades and natural colors can make a room appear bigger and more open—you may want to consider light blues, pale greens, and off-white colors for smaller spaces, like a studio or one-bedroom apartments where space is limited. Another technique is painting the molding a lighter color than the walls, giving the illusion of a larger bedroom.

What are good neutral tones for the bedroom?

If you can’t sleep, don’t force yourself to stay in bed—this increases stress and makes it harder to fall asleep. Instead, get up, leave the room, and do a simple activity, like writing in your journal or reading a book. When you start to feel sleepy, go back to bed.

What color helps with anxiety?

Researchers have found the color blue induces feelings of tranquility and peacefulness, the opposite of anxiety. A blue room doesn’t alert the mind, and instead, promotes calm, so you feel more at ease—you’re likely to fall asleep and stay asleep than you would if sleeping in a brightly-painted bedroom.

Conclusion

Some of the best colors for sleep have a soft, natural hue to create a calm atmosphere, perfect for deep sleep. Choose colors appealing to your taste and create a color scheme to enhance sleep. Light blue is one of the best colors for sleep because the soft tone creates a calm and inviting atmosphere conducive for sleep.

experts share their favorites |

(Image credit: Future / Chris Everard)

The importance of color in the bedroom is abundant – from the psychological benefits of the correct paint to tones in your curtains and furnishings. However, one element that is sometimes overlooked is amongst the most impactful factors on your wellbeing – so if you're looking for advice on how to sleep better – this could be the solution you need. The element in question comes in the shape of your bedsheets. 

When searching for the best bed sheets, the psychological impact of their color may not have entered your equation. However, sleep experts are encouraging you to look beyond their aesthetics and consider how a color makes you feel – to encourage a longer, more restful slumber. 

Bed sheet colors to improve sleep 

From green to gray, these are the colors that experts are bringing into their bedroom ideas – and why they recommend doing the same. 

1.  Blue 

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

'Blue has been associated with calmness and serenity,' says  Dr. Katherine Hall, Ph.D. from Somnus - Sleep Therapy . However, the expert is not exclusive in her admiration for this therapeutic hue.

She references a study that suggests households that have blue bedrooms sleep the best when compared to any other color – meaning this color may be the secret to a long sleep. And her suggestion is reinforced by  Dr. Rosmy Barrios, a regenerative medicine specialist, and expert at Health Reporter . 

'Blue can be an excellent choice for decorating a bedroom, as it reduces muscle tension and pulse, calms the mind, and normalizes breathing,' Dr. Rosmy says. 'Due to its calming effect, the color is very relaxing and sometimes even tiring, so it is recommended for those who have insomnia. Moreover, the color blue is associated with harmony and balance.'

2. Green 

(Image credit: Future)

'Green is also classified as a relaxing and calming color because it reminds us of nature, so it distracts from everyday worries and allows us to forget,' Dr. Rosmy says. Therefore, the expert suggests that both green and blue are often used in the bedroom. 

And for a specific shade of green, Dr. Hall suggests choosing a sage hue that will turn your bedroom into a therapeutic space with a connection to the outdoors. 'Sage green often symbolizes nature and is often associated with peace and tranquillity making it a great color for the bedroom,' she adds. 

3. Gray

(Image credit: Future / Jonathan Gooch)

While white is amongst the bed sheet colors to avoid, gray, a somewhat similar tone, has the opposite effect. 'Gray is also a fantastic option for those who want quality sleep,' says Dr. Barrios. The expert urges us to rethink our associations surrounding gray, especially those that think the color is dull. Instead, this tone makes the perfect main bedroom idea as it is 'not aggressive' and always calming. 

4. Lavender 

(Image credit: Jonathan Adler)

Trend experts may predict that lavender will be one of the most fashionable color trends for 2023, and if you're looking to play with this shade in any room, the bedroom is the best place to start. Designer Ashleigh Clark explains that lavender is one of the best hues for achieving a good night's sleep. However, she warns against opting for purple instead of this specific tone. 

'Do not confuse this with purple as purple is known to have the opposite effect,'  Ashleigh says. 'Lavender, a soft mix of blues, purples, and grays, is known to boost our creativity. Waking up in a lavender room may kick-start a productive day after a good night's rest.'

5. Pink

(Image credit: Dulux)

While pink is not for everyone, it does have its therapeutic qualities for those who are looking to improve their sleep. 'Pink may not be the go-to answer, but it is said that a soft pink may help reduce your blood pressure. It is also known to promote peace and joy,' Ashleigh says. 

Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants. 

What color bed linen should I take to sleep well on it?

The color of the objects around us always has a certain effect on our well-being, mood, and level of activity. And sheets with pillowcases are no exception: some shades will provoke you to lie down longer, others will cause a feeling of anxiety, and others will help you fall asleep quickly. Let's figure out what color bedding is better to choose for sleeping.

Ambiguous white

The traditional choice is white fabric. This has been the case since the days when bedding was boiled and treated with lye for cleaning - no paint would have survived such procedures. Modern washing is more gentle, and dyes are now more stable, but for many people, it is white that is an indicator of the absence of dirt. Therefore, such a color scheme is associated with security and peace. It calms emotions, helps to get rid of insomnia.

However, sometimes there is a rejection of strictly white sheets and bedspreads, as they are reminiscent of state institutions - hospitals, barracks, hotels. Therefore, the best choice would be a fabric with an unobtrusive light pattern - floral or geometric.

Contradictory black

Laying bedding in this color is only for those people who consider it mysterious and attractive. On black, they will get enough sleep and get up cheerful and cheerful. Those who find this color too gloomy should not use it, otherwise they will have groundless anxieties and restless sleep.

Deep rich tones

Which of the saturated colors are more suitable for bed linen? Depends on the character and condition of the one who sleeps on it.

- Red. Charges with energy and optimism, sets in a romantic mood, so it is perfect for lovers. But you should not constantly use textiles of this color - this leads to irritability, and even to insomnia.
- Orange. Improves mood, increases energy levels, but acts softer than red. At night, it provides a sound sleep, and in the morning - an optimistic view of the world and a desire to act.
- Yellow. It is necessary for those who are prone to despondency, as it helps to forget about the depressive state and be filled with a good mood. It gives a feeling of warmth, so it is very comfortable in such a bed.
- Blue. Needed by those who are under stress, as it has a strong relaxing effect, alleviates anxiety, gives a sense of security. Gives deep, energizing sleep.
- Brown. Allows you to feel stability and reliability, to feel peace. So the sleep will be strong and restorative, practically without dreams, which is especially important for people who are in a difficult life situation.
- Violet. Favorably affects dreamers and thinkers. Both provide peace of mind, physical relaxation and exciting dreams.
- Green. It calms, makes you forget about problems, removes tension in the muscles. Gives a feeling of freshness, making it very pleasant to sleep on such linen.

Pastels

Delicate light colors are a great choice for bedding. These shades do not excite the nervous system, but set it up for rest.

- Lilac will give exciting dreams at night and pleasant dreams in the morning.
- Blue will attract calm dreams, relax the nervous system, and allow you to restore peace of mind.
- Gray promotes calmness and peace, but is more suitable for balanced people, and those prone to melancholy can drive melancholy.
- Beige will help to relax both nerves and muscles, make sleep even and sound.

- Pink will create a sincere and comfortable environment in which it is easy to fall asleep.
- Light green will give both a feeling of freshness and warmth, so it’s nice to sleep in such a bed, and just lie in the morning.

In MC ROOMER you can buy not only a bed with a comfortable mattress, but also a variety of bedding. Whatever color of sheets and pillowcases you choose, you will certainly find the right set with us.

What color bedding should be: 6 rules of feng shui

August 31 2016

I think you will not argue that most people are visual. This is especially true for personal items such as bedding. How does the color of bed linen affect a person, you ask? Everything is very simple, the fact is that color shades are able to please, soothe, and still evoke many other emotions.

What colors of bed linen to buy

It all depends on your own wishes, but still, for those who are interested in Feng Shui, the recommended colors for bed linen are:

  1. Yin, which gives carelessness and calmness - these are white, blue, pink, purple, blue, brown, green, blue shades.
  2. Yang, which will give colorful life and strong energy - yellow, orange, red.

Each bed linen color has its own meaning:

  1. White bed linen - is a color symbolizing innocence, which is able to enhance energy and strengthen the body, accelerate sleep and act as a calming effect. This shade is best suited for people suffering from insomnia.
  2. Blue bedding has a great effect on the psyche, calming and endowing with a happy and sound sleep.
  3. Green bedding is perfect for relaxation, giving a person a feeling of freshness, lightness and privacy. Thanks to him, you will be able to wake up well-rested and cheerful.
  4. Red bed linen suits active people who have bright and exciting emotions, or those people who want to keep the passion alive in the bedroom.
  5. Brown bed linen can give a feeling of comfort, warmth, calmness, as well as vitality. It is mostly preferred by men.
  6. Yellow bed linen can give a great mood, wakefulness, positive thinking and happiness.
  7. Black bedding will add elegance and sophistication to the bedroom.
  8. Orange bedding is perfect for optimists, it can help relieve fatigue, fight depression, fears, feelings of despondency and discontent.
  9. Purple bedding should be chosen with care, as it can cause anxiety and distrust, but also has an exciting effect and gives vitality.
  10. Pink bed linen - this color of bed linen according to Feng Shui, can act as a relaxing and relaxing linen, giving a feeling of comfort. It can reduce aggressiveness, improve mood and give a sense of security.
  11. Blue bed linen is a shade of freedom and space. Thanks to him, you can find harmony and balance.

What color bed linen is better to choose

Now you understand what color bed linen is for love, passion or inner peace. And if you don’t know which shade suits or likes you best, you can safely combine the colors of bed linen.
Some do not know what color of bedding is best for a couple. In this case, you can navigate by the sign of the zodiac, choosing the best one or combining:

Things to consider when buying underwear according to Feng Shui

Which color of bed linen will be better for sleeping can be determined both by the shade and the images printed on it. For example, there are prohibitions on drawings that can worsen your sleep, so when buying, you should take this into account:

  1. The image of water and everything connected with it is completely inappropriate. Such an image carries betrayal, illness, loss.
  2. Animals in a motionless state are a symbol of active Qi.

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