Sleep is underrated. Contrary to the popular expression “sleep is for the weak,” its lack thereof is what makes people weak. More than rest, sleep gives way for the body to conduct repairs, thereby revives and re-energizes it for the day to come.
In talking about sleep, a huge factor, and an often overlooked one, is the bedroom, particularly the color. The bedroom color is more than just aesthetics; rather, it has a much more significant impact on sleep. Particularly, colors can affect one’s mood, and thus, can affect one’s sleep.
Before deciding what good bedroom colors will make your room feel like the safe space that it should be, do consider reading on to know what colors help you sleep, nay, the best bedroom colors for sleep.
The psychology of colors
As established, colors can influence one’s mood and emotions, causing people to behave differently at the sight of a particular color. For instance, studies have shown that the color red can increase heart rate and adrenaline flow. Moreover, bullfighters use the color red to get the bull’s attention as it increases passion, excitement, and even anger.
Aside from behavioral reactions, colors are also instrumental in classifying food. By colors, people usually generate insights about how warm or cold something feels, hence, coming up with the labels of warm and cool colors.
Having enough knowledge about colors relative to sleep can help people decorate their rooms more optimally. Knowing what colors help you sleep and the best colors for sleep, in general, can help you pick out what color might work best for you in a sea of good bedroom colors.
For starters, generally speaking, toned down or muted shades promote better than vibrant, primary ones. This claim is no old wives tale. Rather, a study including over 2,000 Travelodge hotels to determine good bedroom colors that facilitate sleep and those that do not support this theory. Furthermore, using a flat finish instead of a glossy one helps the color appear softer, making it conducive to sleep.
The best bedroom colors for sleep
To delve further into the topic, here are the best bedroom colors for sleep as supported by color psychology, research, and sleep specialists:
Blue
The first and perhaps the best bedroom color for sleep is blue. More than the muted tone, a study in 2018 has established that blue tones produce a calming effect on the brain. Although any shade of blue can exude a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere and are thereby good bedroom colors, the lighter shades of blue are what colors help you sleep and offer the best effect.
Green
It may come as no surprise that green, being a color reminiscent of nature, can put you in a relaxing mood. As a color that evokes harmony and freshness, many people also consider green tones to be good bedroom colors.
Yellow
Going for a yellow room is tricky. Although it may not be a good choice of what colors helps you sleep, waking up to a yellow bedroom can induce happiness and set you in a good mood for the day. It might be wise to stick with the lighter shades of yellow to avoid instances of distracting sleep with blue and green.
Orange
Surprisingly, orange is among the best bedroom colors for sleep. Although not sleep-inducing, orange, like yellow, exudes a warm and happy atmosphere that can correct any negative vibes throughout the day.
Silver
Silver tones are among what colors help you sleep better. Aside from the promotion of peaceful rest, the silver creates an illusion of a bigger and brighter bedroom as it bounces light.
White
Predictably, white is one of the best bedroom colors for sleep. White bedroom walls coupled with white beddings create a dreamy mood and imagery of sleeping on a cloud — so relaxing, you’ll hate the sound of the alarm.
Light pink
Pink, specifically light pink, emits energy of gentle tenderness. Going home to a light pink bedroom takes a day’s worth of stress away as it exudes a calming, non-threatening, sweet vibe.
Beige
Beige is among the most versatile colors. With its light, neutral hue, beige is among the top choices for interior design. Beige is also one of the good bedroom colors as it represents serenity and simplicity and is considered a warmer version of white.
The worst bedroom colors for sleep
While there are many good bedroom colors to choose from, there are also colors to steer clear from and deserve no place in anyone’s bedroom. The worst bedroom colors for sleep are dark, bright, and colors that scream energy and creativity. Such colors include:
Red
Red is a powerful color depicting emotions ranging from love, passion, and power, to war, aggression, and anger. As such, red does not constitute what colors help you sleep, and thus, you should avoid this color in the bedroom.
Dark purple
Like red, dark purple emits strong energy but is more associated with creativity and extravagance. Dark purple does not belong to the good bedroom colors as it entails many strong characteristics that might stimulate the brain, thereby defeating the purpose.
Dark brown
Brown oozes negative emotions, causing people to feel dreary, sad, anxious, and isolated, resulting in a restless, low-quality sleep. Although lighter shades of brown may do, its darker spectrum is to be avoided and is not among the best bedroom colors for sleep.
Black
Generally, black represents negative feelings such as anger, fear, sadness, and even death. Although the color black can create a sophisticated vibe, it is not among the good bedroom colors that facilitate sleep.
Conclusion
In choosing what colors helps you sleep, observe this rule of thumb: always use the lighter, muted, or pastel shade of the color. Whereas bright and vibrant colors stimulate your brain, neutral, earthy tones exude a calming, positive atmosphere conducive to sleeping. As we have tackled the good bedroom colors, even the best bedroom colors for sleep, whatever you decide is up to you. Just make sure that your bedroom feels like you.
