The Best Bedroom Paint Colors: How to Choose the Perfect Bedroom Color

A bedroom is a multifunctional space. It serves as a private retreat, as a focused space for homework, reading, and writing, as a dressing room when getting ready for the day or a night out, and as a cozy and intimate space for rest and relaxation. The look and feel of that room should be conducive to all these moods and activities, and choosing the right paint color is key to making that happen. 

Read on for help finding your perfect bedroom color.

Things to Consider When Choosing Bedroom Paint Colors

It can be tempting to simply paint your bedroom your favorite color, but there are numerous factors to consider before breaking out the brushes, including:

Room Dimensions and Layout

Paint colors can be used to complement, accentuate, or balance out the characteristics of a room. For example, if you have a smaller room that you want to feel more open, consider lighter paint colors. By the same token, if you have a larger room you want to make feel more intimate, consider a darker color.

If you want to draw attention to architectural elements like windows or crown molding, consider a lighter wall color with a darker accent color for trimming, or darker wall color with something lighter for the trimming.  

Decor

If the bedroom is already furnished, you can use those elements to help find the right paint color. For example, if your furniture is light-colored, you can use neutral paint colors to give the room a serene and airy atmosphere, or go darker to create contrast. If your furniture is darker, a light paint color can also create pleasing contrast, while keeping the room from feeling too heavy. 

Natural Light

You can also use paint colors to work with sunlight. Pay attention to how much natural light gets in through windows, skylights, and glass doors at various times of the day. If the bedroom gets a lot of sunlight, consider a cooler paint color to balance out that warmth. If the bedroom doesn’t get much sunlight, consider warmer paint colors to compensate.  

Color Psychology

A bedroom shouldn’t just look good—it should also feel good. Color psychology (the study of how color affects human behavior and emotions) has found that different colors, hues, and tones can impact our moods and actions. 

It’s important to note that this is not universal—a color that makes one person feel energized might make another feel stressed out. So while looking into the psychological associations of color (blue for dependability, purple for creativity, green for wellness, etc.) can be helpful, the key is to notice how colors make you feel. 

Colors to Avoid When Painting a Bedroom

When it comes to paint colors, the priority is personal preference. That said, here are some colors it’s generally best to avoid in bedrooms.

• Bright reds can be overly stimulating, making it difficult to relax. They can even evoke feelings of anger or anxiety.

• Neon colors like electric blue, lime green, or hot pink can be too intense for a bedroom, disrupting the calming atmosphere needed for rest.

• While lighter shades of purple can be soothing, dark and heavy purples can make a bedroom feel oppressive and too dramatic for relaxing.

• Black can be interesting as an accent, but as a main color it can make a bedroom feel closed-in and gloomy. 

• While softer yellows can be cheerful, very bright shades can be too stimulating and create a restless environment. 

• Bright oranges can also be too energizing for a bedroom. They’re much better suited for spaces where you want to feel active and engaged.

• Stark whites can feel sterile and uninviting. Off-whites and warmer shades of white are more conducive to a cozy and restful atmosphere.

• While warm grays can be soothing (see below), very cool, dark grays can create a somber mood and feel too industrial. 

Six Great Bedroom Paint Color Ideas

Now that we know what colors to avoid, let’s look at six options that can do wonders for your bedroom. 

1. Soft Blue: Light blue shades, such as Morning Sky Blue or Soft Sky, are calming and serene, promoting relaxation and tranquility. 

2. Warm Gray: Warm gray tones, like Agreeable Gray or Mindful Gray, help create a sophisticated and soothing atmosphere, perfect for a restful bedroom. 

3. Soft Beige: Neutral beige tones, like White Dove or Accessible Beige, are warm and inviting, providing a cozy backdrop that pairs well with various decor styles. 

4. Pale Green: Soft green hues, like Texas Sage or Pale Powder, bring a touch of nature, promoting a peaceful and rejuvenating environment. 

5. Lavender: Light lavender or lilac tones, like Grape Mist or Wallflower, are gentle and comforting, adding a subtle hint of color while keeping the ambiance calm.

6. Muted Pink: Soft, muted pinks, like Flush Pink or Elephant Pink, can create a warm and nurturing space without skewing too intense. 

Test Bedroom Paint Colors with Samplize

No matter what kind of paint color you want for your bedroom, it’s crucial to test it before going all in. At Samplize, we make that process simple and mess-free, with peel-and-stick samples. Each is made with two layers of real paint from premium brands, and we deliver them to you overnight. Here’s how you can use Samplize to find the perfect color for any bedroom. 

Step One: Choose Your Samples

Head here and browse 1000s of colors, all from premium paint brands. You can order bundles or handpick a stack of samples in just a few minutes, and we’ll get busy making sure they arrive at your doorstep the next day. 

Step Two: Peel and Stick

Start by testing one sample on an inconspicuous spot on your bedroom wall. Behind the door is usually a good choice. Make sure that spot is clean and free of debris. Once you’ve tried one, feel free to stick on various colors side by side. 

Step Three: Dream, Deliberate, Decide.

Part of the reason we use real paint on our samples is so that you can see how that color really behaves in various conditions. See how it looks in the morning, at high noon, in the evening, and at night. Notice how it matches or contrasts with your furniture. By the time you’ve done all that, you should be in love with one color. If not, just repeat steps one and two until you find the perfect color or colors for you. 

Ready to Get Started?

Finding your perfect color is simpler with Samplize. Click here to start exploring 1000s of possibilities.