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For a Restful Night

The Best and Worst Paint Colors for the Bedroom

A couple lying on their bed in front of a green wall
Green represents a multitude of positive states of mind, making it the perfect condition for a restful sleep. Photo: Getty Images

January 24, 2022, 5:44 am | Read time: 4 minutes

For a healthy, restful night’s sleep, the ambiance of a bedroom is crucial. Therefore, when setting up a bedroom, it’s important to carefully consider the right wall color.

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It’s well-known that colors influence our senses and mood. Therefore, it’s advisable to carefully choose colors when decorating rooms where we spend a lot of time. Even though we are mostly in the dark with our eyes closed in the bedroom, we still perceive the wall color just before falling asleep and upon waking up. It’s recommended that the chosen paint is neither too stimulating nor too dull. myHOMEBOOK explains which colors are best suited for the bedroom and which are less favorable.

These Wall Colors Are Suitable for the Bedroom

Green

What a bedroom definitely needs is a soothing, cozy atmosphere. And what better way to achieve that than by keeping it natural? A good color choice here is a shade of green. Not only does the color represent hope, health, contentment, and happiness, but it also imparts a sense of security. Just the right thing for a restful sleep. And the best part: almost any shade of green is a good choice. A mint that leans more towards blue is calming, while a reddish khaki is warming. However, a tone that’s too dark, like emerald or pine green, might not be the best choice for a bedroom.

Also interesting: 12 Tips from Experts for Better Sleep (via FITBOOK)

Yellow

A gentle shade of yellow also works well in a bedroom, but it should lean more towards a soft sorbet rather than a vibrant sun yellow. The latter has a too invigorating effect, which can hinder a cozy falling asleep process. We also associate yellow with warmth and well-being, making it an ideal choice for bedroom design. Additionally, the color exudes optimism and cheerfulness in the room.

Rosé

Gender-specific color associations are dissolving more and more, making shades like rosé increasingly acceptable for everyone and everything! Especially in the bedroom, rosé proves to be a suitable choice, as the gentle pastel tone brings plenty of security, coziness, warmth, and relaxation. Just the right ingredients for a restful sleep. Moreover, the color is not very activating, but rather positive.

Also interesting: 5 Eco-Friendly Wall Paints as a Healthy Alternative to Conventional Paints

Blue

Blue is proven to have a calming effect, making it an optimal choice for bedroom walls. A good, restful sleep is guaranteed! Although blue can seem quite cool, it also reminds us of fascinating natural phenomena like an azure sky or moments by the sea. However, the chosen shade of blue should not be too dark, as it can make the room feel less cozy and more oppressive and confined.

Bedroom with blue wall color
Blue has a calming effect in the bedroom, but should not be too dark in tone

Also interesting: Which Wall Colors Are Said to Enhance Sex and Improve Sleep

More on the topic

These Wall Colors Are Not Suitable for the Bedroom

Red

Even though red is considered the color of love and romance, it has no place in the bedroom. The signal effect of this color is subconsciously associated with danger and alertness. Accordingly, red is anything but calming and sleep-inducing; rather, it is activating and energizing. Brain activity is increased instead of decreased, making it difficult to find restful sleep. If a color from the red spectrum is desired, a powdery tone like a soft rosé is a much better choice.

White

Surprisingly, white is not necessarily recommended as a wall color in the bedroom. While it is neither activating nor inspiring, it is a bit too sterile and neutral for a good night’s sleep. The ambiance tends to feel cooler and more distant. White is a good idea if all the furniture and accessories in the bedroom are already colorful. In this case, white provides balancing harmony. However, if the furniture is also neutral in appearance, it’s better to opt for shades like sand or eggshell instead of a stark white.

Anthracite

Bold colors like anthracite and steel gray, as well as very dark blue or green, are also not the most attractive choices for bedroom paint. These shades lack positive energy and, consequently, vitality. Instead, they tend to have a cool and depressing effect on the mood. The bedroom feels more like a cave than a cozy sleeping chamber. Lighter shades like light gray or corresponding pastels would be a much better fit.

Bedroom with anthracite wall color
A dark wall color like anthracite can quickly seem dreary

Violet

Violet is also considered unsuitable for bedroom paint, as this color contains a lot of invigorating red components. Colors like violet or lilac are said to have an inspiring, stimulating effect. Moreover, they stand for spirituality, which promotes mental activity and creativity. At night, however, the mind should slow down rather than be stimulated. A soft, more blue-tinged lavender is a better choice here.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

Topics Color for the apartment Schlafzimmer Wände
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