Good Bedroom Color Schemes
To find the perfect color scheme for your bedroom, start with the colors you love.
Finding the perfect color scheme for your bedroom can seem daunting, with so many options to choose from. Your color scheme includes not just your wall paint or wallpaper, but also bed linens, rugs, window treatments and accessories to build a look that is truly your own. The best advice for designing your personal retreat? Start with the colors you love.
Bedroom Color Ideas: Which Paint to Pick
See All Photos
Think of the overall color look you want, and determine if that shade will work with the size and natural lighting of your bedroom. Color brings personality to a room, and it should reflect what you want from your space. You can let your personal tastes shine through, whether you prefer a palette of bright colors or soothing neutrals.
Some shades, particularly bright colors, may not work as the main color in an adult's bedroom. Consider using that color on just one wall, or in accents such as throw pillows or lamps, while keeping a more soothing neutral tone throughout the room. You can also choose a wall shade in a neutral color with a hint of something brighter, such as a gray with a hint of purple.
For a serene look, incorporate an analogous color scheme by using shades that are next to one another on a color wheel. If you desire more energy from your colors, try a triadic color scheme, which uses shades spaced evenly apart on the color wheel.
You can add a pop of color by choosing pillows, lamps, rugs and other accessories in complementary or contrasting colors. A more monochromatic look, which uses varying shades of the same color, creates depth and serenity if you're using neutral or cool colors. A touch of black can add a look of sophistication to a room. Add texture by using multiple shades of the same color as well as painted furniture.
For inspiration, peruse shops, catalogs and online sources for designs that catch your eye. If you find a pattern in a fabric or rug that you like, find ways to incorporate it into your look. For a color scheme inspired by the beach or mountains but doesn't look to "theme-y," choose colors from those settings while refraining from using accessories that incorporate the motif itself.
Many designers advise not including more than five large areas of color when pulling a look together. Too many wall colors can be distracting and cause visual tension. There are exceptions to every rule, however; go with what you love in order to create a bedroom that will feel like coming home.
See Also: How to Choose Paint Colors
