When redesigning your sleeping space, coming up with bedroom color ideas is a natural place to start. Color can instantly change not only the look of the room, but also how you feel when you’re in it. And when it comes to a private space such as the bedroom, it’s important to think about what kind of mood you want to create. Do you need a soothing spot to escape at the end of the day? Or do you want a room that will energize you when you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning? No matter what type of environment you want to create, there’s a color scheme that will help set the tone. If you want a dramatic transformation, consider painting your bedroom walls in your favorite hue. But even small additions—linens, throws, pillows, and lamps—can be used to establish your bedroom colors. You can also try out other bedroom paint ideas, like painting only the trim or an accent wall.
You can focus on one color, bringing in different shades, or mix in complementary hues from the same color family. If you love emerald green, consider integrating other jewel tones. Creating a red room? Try accents in other warm tones like yellow and orange. White and black can help add contrast and make bright shades feel less dominant.
No matter what hue you choose, adding color to your bedroom will make turning in at the end of the day a joy. (And it may even make waking up more pleasant too.) See how designers have used color to create inspiring spaces for slumber and steal their best bedroom color ideas.
Crisp White
A crisp white bedroom is all about simplicity and ease. Bring in natural materials and soft textures to keep the space from feeling starkly bright, and avoid clutter, which can take away from the relaxing vibe.
Cherry Red
The adventurous color is known for its ability to energize, so don’t be surprised if it’s a little easier to wake up in a cherry red bedroom. The shade pairs well with rich woods and other warm tones. Try incorporating textiles, such as Indian block prints, to add touches of red or go all out with a coat of crimson paint.
Pale Pink
This soft, pretty hue is ideal for bedrooms, where it can help create a calming and romantic environment. Mixing in global patterns and casual fabrics, such as relaxed linens or even burlap, can keep the space from feeling too feminine.
Aqua
Cool ocean hues are instantly soothing. Soft blue-greens create a tranquil environment, especially when paired with crisp white linens and plenty of natural light. Mixing in antiques and warm woods can keep the space from feeling too cold or beachy. Here, Benjamin Moore’s Opal Essence is the aqua of choice.
Gray
For a calm and sophisticated space, you can’t go wrong with a gray bedroom. Whether you choose a subtle off-white light gray shade or a rich charcoal, the gray walls will serve as the perfect neutral base for your modern bedroom and will let items like art or colorful bedding stand out.
Lemon Yellow
The sunny and happy shade is an instant pick-me-up at the end of a long day (or those mornings when you just don’t want to get out of bed)—the king of bright colors. Bring in other hues from nature, such as a grassy green ceramic lamp or cherry red bedside table to complete the cheery picture.
Black
While you might not think of black as a color to use in a bedroom, the shade can create a cozy and stylish space. Start with an accent wall or envelop the entire space in the moody hue, breaking up the black expanses with art and objects to keep it from feeling like a cave. Black and white is a classic combo, but any darker colors will make for a wonderful pairing too.
Deep Purple
Deep purple is the color of royalty, so it’s perfect for creating a regal and elegant space. Try mixing in other jewel tones like sapphire blue, turquoise, and ruby red to balance the vibrant violet elements. In this apartment designed by Sean Anderson, a purple canopy bed curtain is employed in lieu of a proper headboard. Bold colors like purple are wonderful options for guest bedrooms especially!
Navy Blue
Channeling the sea and the sky, blue is among the very best color choices. The timeless combo of deep blue and white looks classic, whether you go for fabric or wallpaper in a nautical stripe or a lush floral motif, helping to cut the intensity of the dark color. The red undertones here are another excellent choice.
Sage Green
Sage green is known for being restful for the eyes and often symbolizes renewal—just what you want to convey in a bedroom. Bring other earth tones like warm woods into your green bedroom to heighten the organic feel of the space.
Beige
Tones in the beige family (think greige, as well as taupe) are the perfect bedroom paint colors to immediately make your space feel like it’s cast in mood lighting. Though you might assume beiges only work for the devout minimalists among us, Kayla Dalle Molle’s Brooklyn apartment proves that it can be a satisfying backdrop for boldly colored furniture pieces and home decor.
Terra-cotta
Terra-cotta can be a neutral color or it can be energetic—either way it’s sure to please the eye. In this bedroom by interior designer Yasmine Ghoniem, terra-cotta elements dominate against eggshell white walls. The space is a perfect example of how you can use color to change the feeling of a room without relying on paint alone. Blue tones in the room really help the terra-cotta pop—it’s no surprise the oceanic hue and the earthy tone are color wheel opposites.
Cream
What’s a more classic wall color than cream? Whether you choose Farrow & Ball’s Tallow, Behr’s Heavy Cream, or Sherwin-Williams’s Creamy, cream is a delightful option that can easily pair with pastel tones in a neutral bedroom or a space with more dramatic pops of color, like in this yellow-lined bedroom designed by Lafayette Studio.
Pale Blue
As we’ve already established, a blue bedroom is a classic no matter what shade you opt for, but if you’re hoping for an airy room feel, pale blue is definitely the way to go. In this guest room by designer Charlie Ferrer, blues of all hues appear tying into the faint blue walls—and call to the beachy local of the Southampton home.
Brown
Is there any shade more moody and calming than brown? Whether you have a wood-paneled space, like this primary bedroom designed by Hammer and Spear, or you’re working with a bucket of paint, some furniture, and throw pillows, an all-brown bedroom design can feel ultra relaxing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I decorate my bedroom?
Start by looking at inspiration pictures and creating a moodboard to figure out what feels most appealing to you. Then, if you’re going to paint, pick out your favorite bedroom paint color ideas and decide whether you’d like to paint all four walls or do something a little less labor intensive, like an accent wall or trim paint.
How do you style an awkward bedroom?
A color palette can be your saving grace when it comes to styling an awkward bedroom. Whether you’re starting from scratch and you’re able to keep super strict to your bedroom color scheme, or you’re working with what you’ve got and can only manage to bring in a new accent color or two, color can create cohesion in a room that feels disjointed. Consider your favorite color combinations and how exactly you want your room to feel before you settle on any specifics.
How do you decorate a bedroom on a tight budget?
If you’re looking to decorate a bedroom on a tight budget, try adjusting your focus away from expensive furniture pieces and onto accent pieces and color instead. You can find more affordable furnishings if you look secondhand, like on Facebook Marketplace, and leave more of your budget for paints, an eye-catching artwork, and impactful bedding. Especially in a small space, having control over these scene stealing details is a better way to make an impact in your space.
