The Psychology of Color: Best Bedroom Hues for Sleep & Relaxation

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When you’re settling in for the night, do you feel jittery or relaxed? Have you ever considered that the color of your bedroom might be affecting how you feel? Color psychology is concerned with how the hues that surround us influence our emotions and actions. Understanding how you might react to different colors can help you create a restful environment that promotes quality sleep. Choosing a soothing and harmonious bedroom color scheme can help you create a haven for unwinding after a busy day. Below, we’ll explore how colors can affect your state of mind and help you use them to create a restful space.

The Psychology of Color and Sleep

Colors can evoke specific symbolic and emotional associations that impact your mood and perception. Like feng shui bedroom colors, psychological interpretations of color describe how different hues can affect the energy in your room. Many researchers believe that people instinctively react to color and develop emotional responses to colors over time. Your cultural upbringing and heritage can also impact how color affects you and which hues you prefer.

Since people sleep best in the dark, it may be strange to think that color could make your nights more or less restful. Nevertheless, color psychology says that surrounding yourself with the right colors can promote positivity and stillness as you prepare for bed. A color’s coolness, warmth, neutrality, lightness, brightness or darkness can affect how you perceive and experience your surroundings.

• People frequently associate cool tones, like blues and greens, with feelings of serenity.

• Warm tones like red, orange and yellow can create a sense of energy, vitality and aggression.

• Neutral hues can create a sense of coziness and peace.

• Lighter shades can introduce an airy and open feel to a room.

• Bright colors may give rise to feelings of positivity or tension.

• Darker colors can feel grounding, but they may also convey heaviness and sadness.

Research suggests that cool hues, light tones and soft neutrals and pastels promote feelings of safety and relaxation that are conducive to sleep, while warm, bright colors like red, purple and orange can disrupt your calm. Some people associate shades of dark green, brown, purple, blue and black with gloomy emotions like anxiety, loneliness, oppression and decay that do not lead to pleasant dreams. Painting your walls in these difficult colors could keep you from falling asleep quickly and getting the rest you need, while choosing a soothing color instead could help you drift off to slumberland.

Bedroom Paint Colors That Promote Sleep

If you want to design a bedroom that’s ideal for sleeping, consider whether the colors you like best will help you create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Understanding how colors might influence your mood can help you make the right choice. Some popular bedroom colors include:

Greens

Green represents harmony and nature and reminds people of spending time outdoors. Many people associate cool green tones with forests and gardens and sensations of growth, renewal and hope. Light, pale greens can feel both revitalizing and inviting, promoting a sense of balance. Shades like sage green can help you feel more stable and less restless, while mid- and deep greens can help you feel happy, grounded, and grateful.

Blues

Blue is a cool-toned hue that people associate with tranquility and security. Some psychologists believe that blues can have a therapeutic effect that reduces anxiety and stress. These shades may reduce your blood pressure and heart rate and help you sleep longer. Blues are gentle colors that often remind people of the sky and the sea. Light blues create a quiet and airy atmosphere, while darker blues bring a sense of deep satisfaction.

Whites

White is a non-color that symbolizes simplicity, purity and cleanliness. Plus, white bedrooms often feel timeless and spacious. The achromatic color can combine with natural light to add dimension to the atmosphere and create a personal sanctuary. Some people associate white with clearing away scattered thoughts before bedtime. On the other hand, soft, gentle whites can be reminiscent of clouds and fresh snow.

Warm Neutrals

Although warm tints are typically associated with wakefulness, neutrals with warm undertones can create a luxurious and cozy atmosphere that feels calming and familiar. Colors like cream, sand, beige and taupe have an easy elegance that promotes a comfortable atmosphere for drifting off. Warm neutrals frequently remind people of beaches and natural stone, creating a refined yet approachable ambience.

Soft Pinks

Soft, light, pastel pinks evoke feelings of gentleness, delicacy and romance. This color may remind you of flower blossoms, seashells and sunrises. Blush-tinted hues can make your room feel like a nurturing space, while dusty rose can create a sense of comfort, compassion and renewal.

Lavender

Cool-tinted, light lavender is a calm and tranquil color that can create a peaceful and restful environment. Lavender can signal both spirituality and sophistication and remind people of nature’s beauty. It’s good for soothing anxiety and promoting a quiet and loving atmosphere.

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Designing a Colorful Bedroom for Restful Sleep

When you’re designing your bedroom, the color of your linens, furnishings, and decor matters as much as your paint color. Your bedding, rug, curtains, and artwork should complement your space and create a cohesive feeling. Once you choose the main hue for your walls, use this same color throughout your bedroom. This technique, known as “color drenching,” can help you create visual harmony and maintain balance. Keep in mind that the size and feel of your pillows, mattress and sheets will influence your sleep quality. Investing in some high-end memory foam pillows or cooling pillows can help you rest easy every night.

As you’re refining your bedroom’s style and color scheme, remember that natural and artificial lighting can affect how your space looks and feels. Consider the size of your room and even the place where you live. For example, a pale pink that feels restful in a beach home could make you feel tense in a mountain retreat. Finally, remember that you should like the colors in your bedroom; this way, you’ll always feel at home.

Create a Peaceful Feeling with Color and Sleep Well at Night

Selecting the right color scheme for your bedroom can contribute to more restful nights and enhance your well-being. By understanding how color can affect your mood and your senses, you can create a relaxing space that will improve your sleep and your quality of life.