The Best and Worst Bedroom Colors for Sleep 

How Colors Affect your Sleep

According to psychology experts and color therapists, different colors have varying impacts on your mood, which can determine how you behave. Since color can make you feel a certain way, it’s advisable to fill the bedroom with shades that emit calmness and promote positive energy flows.

Colors that are more intense or stimulating like red or black can hinder your rest or trigger negative emotions like anger. The key to getting the recommended seven hours of quality sleep each night is to create a soothing environment in your bedroom. That’s where color comes in since it’s the most visible thing you’ll see everywhere you look.

The Best Bedroom Colors for Sleep

When choosing a paint color for your bedroom, go for shades that make you feel relaxed and at ease. Color therapy suggests that specific colors are better at inducing sleep and promoting relaxation than others.

Here are the best bedroom colors for sleep:

Blue

According to research by the Sleep Foundation, those whose bedrooms are painted blue sleep longer, on average. It’s said that the receptors in our retinas, known as ganglion cells are most sensitive to blue.

Once the cells recognize the blue color, they communicate with the part of the brain that controls our circadian rhythm, signaling the brain to lower the heart rate and calm down. Blue is a neutral and calming color, making it easier to relax and fall asleep.

Another survey by Travelodge found that almost 60 percent of people who sleep in bedrooms painted blue reported waking up feeling happy on a regular basis.

Green

Most people associate green with nature, and it’s the reason why it has a calming effect on the brain. For the bedroom, the lighter or earthier shades of green are ideal as they have been shown to promote rest and tranquility.

Sage is especially a great choice since it invokes images of grass, gardens, and nature itself. To make the atmosphere even more welcoming, add one or two small plants to really bring out the outdoorsy mood.

Pink

Pink, especially soft, light pink, is an excellent color choice for the bedroom for those who want to sleep like a baby. The soft pink tone is comforting, sweet, and tender. It has a calming effect and promotes relaxation after a hectic day at work.

Beige

The light, neutral hue of beige represents warmness, peace, serenity, and simplicity. Some even say it’s quiet, which can create the perfect mood for sleep. Beige is a common color option for interior designers given its appeal and a beautiful complement to sage green.

White

White is usually a symbol of peace and harmony. It exudes lean and polished vibes. The neutral tone makes the space feel bigger, and adding floral bedding and other bedroom accessories accentuates the look.

The Worst Bedroom Colors

On the other side of the spectrum, there are certain colors you shouldn’t use on your bedroom walls, since they spell doom. These are:

Black

Black color symbolizes a set of negative feelings like sadness, anger, fear, and even death. It’s not exactly the color to help you relax. If you want to use black in your home, do so sparingly. Think black plant holders, frames, and candle holders.

Red

Red is the most energetic color on the spectrum. It conveys a lot of things, from love to war and danger, to power. It also provokes anger and can even raise your heart rate, causing you to be alert instead of relaxed.

Purple

Purple is also a highly energizing color, and dark purple is usually associated with power, creativity, and extravagance. Sleeping in a purple room is more likely to provoke creativity, vivid dreams, and even nightmares.

These many strong characteristics make it one of the worst bedroom colors for sleep.

Brown

While lighter shades of brown like beige can promote sleep, darker shades of brown can feel depressing, which can result in sleeplessness and restlessness.

Color Tips to Improve Your Sleep

Once you’ve painted your bedroom walls with the colors that can induce optimal sleep, you can use these additional tips to get quality sleep every night:

• Switch up your bedding colors and use those with sleep-inducing shades like sage green.
• Go for muted or pastel versions of your paint color for your bedroom and even furniture to create a more relaxing environment.
• Avoid glossy or eggshell, which can reflect light, and go for flat paint.
• If you plan to add accents, avoid anything that’s too vibrant.

Once you’ve found the right accent for your bedroom, consider other things like light, scents, and sounds. And remember to keep your electronics away from the bedroom. Seriously, let it be a room dedicated to relaxation, calming the mind, and sleep.