Paint colors have a language all their own. They can speak to us and influence our moods. Some colors are said to stimulate appetites and prove to be a great choice for dining rooms and kitchens. Other colors inspire playfulness and work well in playrooms or family rooms. When it comes to choosing their bedroom paint, most people turn to colors that promote restfulness, but there is also something to be said for colors that induce cheerfulness and energy.
When choosing a bedroom paint color, consider the mood and feelings you want the room to evoke. If you need help unwinding at the end of the day, you’ll want a bedroom color that is soothing and relaxing. On the other hand, if you have trouble jumping out of bed in the morning, you may opt for a more energizing hue. A basic rule of thumb is warmer colors (think reds, oranges, yellows) tend to be more stimulating, while cool colors (i.e., blues, greens, purples) are calmer and more relaxing.
For a bedroom that shouts “Rise and Shine,” lemon yellow is a warm, cheerful option. Other shades from the yellow family that evoke happiness include gold, honey or muted-lemon. For energy, consider peach, terra-cotta or red-orange shades from the red family.
If you want restfulness, lavender or lilac, sage or khaki green, soft black, steel blue are some suitable options. These colors promote calmness and serenity, while still being fun and intimate.
Once you decide the mood of your room, there are a few other things to consider, one of the most important being lighting. For bedrooms that get a lot of natural light, consider a darker color. Deep shades absorb light. If you’re not ready to paint the whole room dark, try using the deep shade on an accent wall. If you’re still not sold on dark colors, consider a deep shade of beige, which can warm up a bright room.
Of course if you are refreshing an existing bedroom with a new coat of paint, you’ll want a color that compliments the furnishings already in place, but that still leaves you with numerous options. To find the perfect color for your bedroom – or any room in your house – be sure to test with paint swatches on your walls and view them under all different lighting conditions before committing.