The best paint shades to help you sleep better and make your bedroom feel like a relaxing sanctuary
When it comes to choosing a paint color for your bedroom, you want to choose a color you love. It should be one that makes you feel relaxed and makes your bedroom feel like a sanctuary. Your bedroom should be a place that you love to come home to at the end of day and a color that helps you fall asleep at night.
In this article, I’m going to share the 5 best paint colors for bedrooms and share many pictures. These colors are more popular and tend to lead to a better night’s sleep.
Underneath most of the pictures, I’ve included links where it says “shop this bedroom,” and if you click on those you will find the items contained in the picture.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
The 5 most relaxing paint colors for bedrooms
According to a study from Sleep.org, blue leads to a better night’s sleep. It makes sense as blues are calming and relaxing and therefore lower your blood pressure. While blue is the most relaxing, other cool tones such as grays, neutrals and paints with gray or blue undertones help.
Thankfully, cool tones are the most popular for the home right now – for painting, floors, cabinets and fixture. And, cool colors tend to work well both with dark brown hardwood floors and light ones.
1. Blues
1. Blues Blue has been scientifically proven to lead to a better night’s sleep. Blues are relaxing and remind us of the water. You could choose a pale blue, mid blue or a deeper blue.
To the right, I’ve shared my favorite blue shades from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore.
Below, I’ve shared a variety of blue bedroom options and if you like some of the decor items shown in the pictures, you can just shop the post by clicking the link beneath the pictures.
Shop this bedroom (the one above)
Shop this bedroom (the one above)
Shop this bedroom (the one above)
Shop this bedroom (the one above)
2. Navy
Of course navy is a deeper shade of blue, and it’s become super popular right now. While navy may be too dark as a base color for the main areas, it’s often a great choice for a bedroom as the darker blue makes sleeping even easier. If using navy on all 4 walls is too much, try it as an accent wall. Or, check out the last picture in this series with white walls and navy bedding.
With navy, be sure to use a true white for the trim, not an off white. Check out this article on the best shades of white for trim. And, you may enjoy this article on 10 Ways to decorate with navy for a modern style. You’ll find some great options for navy area rugs and other ways to incorporate this color.
There are many shades of navy that work, pending on how dark/how navy you prefer vs. going a bit lighter. My favorite shade of navy is Sherwin William’s Commodore.
Here are some amazing navy bedrooms.
Shop this bedroom (the one above)
Shop this bedroom (the one above)
3. Grays
Grays also work incredibly well for bedrooms as their cool tones also help you get a better night’s sleep. In fact, studies have shown that gray is 2nd best color after blue/navy for a good night’s sleep.
Gray is currently the most popular color family right now. Check out this article on the most popular shades of gray paint. It outlines the most popular colors and coordinating darker grays for accent walls. Also, if you are looking for cool grays, check out 11 awesome cool shades of gray paint. Or, if you prefer warmer gray (or even greige…a mix of gray and beige) check out 9 warm gray and greiges.
There’s a range of grays from light to mid to dark. While I typically prefer lighter grays for main living areas, both lighter and warmer shades of gray will work in bedrooms. The darker you go, the better a night’s sleep you’ll get. Many people also like to have a light or mid gray for the base color and then a darker gray for 1 accent wall.
Enjoy these gray bedrooms for some inspiration.
Shop this bedroom (above left) Shop this bedroom (above right)
Shop this bedroom (above left)
Shop this bedroom (above left)
4. Aquas/Coastal colors
4. Aquas/Coastal colorsAnother great option for a peaceful bedroom is to choose a coastal color theme. Light aqua can work as they are a mix of green and blue. The blue makes it peaceful and the combo is reminiscent of beaches and spa colors, so they make a nice option. When the greens and blues are mixed with whites (e.g. linens, furniture or window treatments), they provide a nice soothing look.
Note: It’s important to go lighter here. If your color is too saturated, it can look too bold, too dark and too juvenile. Test first and err on the side lighter side.
I think my favorite choice here missed the chart and that is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt.
Shop this bedroom (above left) Shop this bedroom (above right)
5. Whites
And, of course whites can always work. Whites can work in a few different ways. First of all, it’s a complete blank and neutral palette, so if you want to go colorful with other elements of the room (e.g. bedding, area rug, furniture, window treatments), then anything will go. And, if you like to change your bedding often or by the season, anything will work.
Second, you can really create a clean, fluffy and luxurious bedroom (think of the Westin bed).
Third, white is a great option if you are using shiplap and going for a farmhouse style look. Check out these 2 articles for the best white shades of paint to use:
Here are some nice bedrooms that are painted white
Shop this bedroom (above left) Shop this bedroom (above right)
Paint Samples
Now, let’s talk about samples…
It’s always best to test the paint colors in you own home and own lighting. The colors do look different pending your lighting and can even look different room to room.
You can definitely go to your local painting store to buy some samples (and a brush…be sure to paint with 2 coats), but I have a MUCH EASIER way for you. Check out SAMPLIZE.
Samplize offers 12” x 12” peel and stick paint samples that are EASIER, AFFORDABLE and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
Here are a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients:
- Samples come right to YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, pending on location
- At $5.95, they’re more affordable than the samples/brushes/foam boards than traditional samples…and of course easier and way less messy
- If you keep the samples on the white paper, you can move them from wall to wall and room to room
They are amazingly accurate as they are made with 2 coats of real paint, so they are color correct.
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE.
Conclusion:
All 5 of these colors are great paint choices for bedrooms. Of course this all depends on your taste, as well as lighting of the room. I also believe that you should choose a color that you love, even if it’s not one of the ones I listed above. Remember this is your sanctuary – your peaceful retreat, so choose a color that makes you feel relaxed.
Do you need any paint shade fan decks?
Amazon can help with that. It’s so much easier when you have the full color wheels and can see all of these in your own home (vs. going back and forth to the store MULTIPLE times).
Sherwin Williams Benjamin Moore
Helpful tools if you are going to paint yourself
Here are some painting tools that may come in handy if you’re going to do the painting yourself. Also, be sure to check out my article on the Top 10 DIY Painting mistakes and how to avoid them. The products below can be found on Amazon and delivered straight to your door.
- Painting brush – this one costs a bit more, but it’s totally worth it. It will help you paint faster and more accurately. If you’re going to paint yourself, don’t skimp here. Incidentally, this is Amazon’s Choice as well.
- Painter’s tape – a must have. Use for all the trim as well as ceiling area
- Paint roller kit – this includes a tray. Use the brush for the edges and the roller for main areas of the wall (and ceiling).
- Drop cloths – Yes, you’ll need them for sure. Some people have some on hand, but often not enough if you are doing many rooms.
Related paint and color articles:
Related paint and color articles:- Best white for base molding and trim
- The 20 best paint colors for home offices
- 9 Amazing warm gray paint shades
- 11 Awesome cool gray paint colors
- 10 ways to decorate with navy for a modern look
- The 10 best places to buy area rugs
The 5 Best Paint Colors For Bedrooms
