Colour theory is how interior designers create spaces that capture emotions.
While personal preferences play a role, specific colour palettes are known to have an energising or calming effect that is perfect for bedrooms.
The short answer is that the items you select for your bedroom can make a difference in creating a restful and restorative environment.
Of course, it’s a bit more nuanced than that – the darkness of colours (their tones) makes a bedroom good or bad for sleep. Most colours are best in something down the middle, but others, like yellow, are best in pastels.
What is colour theory?
Colour theory is how colours interact and the emotions they evoke – people have different theories, hence the theory part.
It’s all about understanding why certain colour combinations feel soothing while others can be jarring or stimulating.
The key is recognising that colours don’t exist in isolation – they influence and play off each other in fascinating ways.
Mastering colour theory will help you harness the power of different hues to create bedrooms and other spaces that foster a specific mood.
So what?
The colours in your bedroom can impact how well you sleep. Choosing a relaxing bedroom palette can naturally prime your body for deep, restorative slumber, especially when combined with a sleep schedule.
Calming shades like blues and greens promote relaxation and different light levels can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Pictured: Bedroom with calming blues and greens which invoke a sense of calm.
In contrast, warmer tones like reds and oranges can be overstimulating and too energetic, making it harder to wind down and drift off.
Colour theory also emphasises experimentation and fun. You can use it to capture the essence of nostalgia and charm and curate your interiors in a way that speaks to your personality, allowing you to choose objects that make you smile.
Popular bedroom colours
Soft, neutral hues like beige, grey, and white are perennial bedroom favourites for a good reason—they exude a sense of serenity and calm.
Pictured: Limelight Polaris 4FT 6 Double Ottoman Bed – Natural, Soft, neutral hues like beige, grey, and white bedroom colours exude calm.
Blues and greens, often associated with nature, can also work wonders in your sleep sanctuary, helping regulate your body’s internal clock.
If you want to ramp up the relaxation factor, consider swapping out brighter, more stimulating tones for deeper, moodier shades.
Of course, the best bedrooms are the ones that are relaxing and speak to your personal preferences—whether that’s red, orange, or gold.
A splash of gold or silver through lamps, mirrors, or decor can enhance your bedroom’s aesthetic without impacting your colour theory.
Where to start with colour theory?
The best place to begin with colour theory is by understanding the basics – the primary colours, how they mix to create secondary and tertiary colours, and the relationships between hues on the colour wheel.
Colour harmony, complementary colours, and the emotional and psychological associations different colours evoke are also worth considering.
Then it’s time for the fun part – decorating!
- Colours
When selecting colours for your bedroom, consider how they’ll work together.
Analogous colours (those next to each other on the wheel) create a soothing, cohesive look, while complementary colours (opposites) add a visual punch.
Neutral tones like white, grey, and beige are great for anchoring bolder hues. They also make small spaces appear bigger by reflecting light.
- Bed frame
You can choose your bed frame from a few options: a wooden, white, or black frame or a colourful frame that uses your colour theory.
Yellow, pink, and blue bed frames are popular upholstered options, while grey and black frames put the onus on your decorative touches.
Metallic bed frames are also fantastic for bringing your colours to life, with brass bed frames like the Flintshire Axton (pictured above) perfect for most bedrooms.
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