Choose a Calming Paint Color
Color affects mood. Soft blues, greens, grays, and warm neutrals create a restful environment that promotes better sleep.
Time Required
1-2 days (whole room)
Cost
$100-300 DIY
Difficulty
Moderate
Best Colors for Bedrooms
Soft Blues
Studies show blue bedrooms get the most sleep. Blue lowers heart rate and blood pressure. Try: pale sky blue, dusty blue, blue-gray.
Sage & Soft Greens
Nature-inspired, calming. Works well with wood tones and plants. Try: sage green, eucalyptus, soft olive.
Warm Grays & Greiges
Sophisticated and neutral. Works with any accent color. Try: warm gray, greige (gray-beige), taupe.
Warm Neutrals
Cozy and enveloping. Great for north-facing rooms. Try: cream, warm white, soft beige, pale blush.
Colors to Avoid in Bedrooms
- • Bright red or orange: Too stimulating, raises energy levels
- • Bright yellow: Can cause anxiety in large amounts
- • Pure white: Stark and clinical feeling, shows every mark
- • Dark colors all around: Can feel oppressive (accent wall is fine)
- • Neon or electric colors: Not restful, hard to decorate around
How to Choose Your Color
Consider your room's light
North-facing rooms: choose warmer colors. South-facing: cooler colors work. Test samples in actual room light.
Look at your existing items
Consider bedding, furniture, flooring you're keeping. Paint should complement these.
Get large samples
Paint 12x12 inch samples on the wall. Live with them for a few days. View at different times.
Go one shade lighter
Colors look more intense on walls than on small chips. When in doubt, choose a shade lighter.
Pro Tips
- •Accent wall option: If full room feels like too much, paint just the wall behind the bed a deeper shade.
- •Ceiling color: Painting ceiling same color as walls creates cozy, cocooning effect.
- •Trim color: White trim with colored walls is classic. Same color throughout is modern.
- •Sheen matters: Flat/matte for walls (hides imperfections), eggshell for durability, satin for trim.