Assuming the average person sleeps 8 hours a day, over time you spend approximately one third of your life asleep. And that’s not counting the time you spend laying in bed before and after sleeping. With at least one third of your life being spent in the bedroom, wouldn’t you like that to be a peaceful space?
Our design partner, Amanda with Housewarming, always asks clients a thought provoking question: “You think you know what you want your space to look like, but how do you want your space to make you feel?” When thinking of a bedroom, most people want a space that feels peaceful and calm. Feelings that put your body and mind at rest, encouraging a solid night of sleep. Picking bedroom paint colors may seem like a simple decision, but there’s a lot more to it then what looks pretty.
Color Temperature
One of the first things to consider is the color temperature. Warm colors tend to produce a stimulating affect, while cool colors are usually more calming. Warm shades like oranges, yellows and reds tend to be more aggressive, stimulating and provoke a sense of feeling alert. Cold shades like blues, greens and grays are typically associated with nature, provoking a sense of calmness and heaviness that encourages a good night’s sleep.
That said, there can be a lot of variation on the cool tone spectrum. Green and blue are both cool tones, but a bright green and pale blue can create drastically different vibes.
Dark vs. Light
If you’re going for a more romantic feel, use the darker shades of the cool tones. Olive green, navy blue or charcoal gray all create serene space. Darker shades can also make it easier for the eyes to relax. A shade that is too light will stimulate you rather than relax.
Light shades like blue-gray, sage green and most light earth tones will create a spa like serenity. Using light neutrals also provides you the chance to play with more pattern and statement pieces in your décor. Neutrals avoid trends, giving you a classic space that can be restyled time after time to refresh your aesthetic.
Paint Finish
When painting your bedroom, consider choosing a relatively flat paint. Glossy finishes tend to reflect more light and create more energy in a room. Flat paints tend to absorb the light and give your room a softer aura.
A Drop in the (Paint) Bucket
Hopefully now you have a better understanding around the importance of your color choice. However, we aren’t saying that painting your bedroom blue will suddenly cure you of your years of insomnia. There are far more factors that go into getting a good night of sleep. Stress, routine, exercise, diet and much more all have an impact. But if something as simple as bedroom paint colors can help us get a bit more rest, why not try?
