What’s the best colour for bedrooms?
Not sleeping well? It might not be because you're tense about what birthday gift to buy the other half or because you hate your job – you could be staying awake at night because of the colour of your bedroom.
While we may paint our bedroom walls for aesthetic appeal or Instagram-worthiness, the colours of our sleeping space affect us psychologically as we fall asleep. Certain colours have been shown to evoke relaxation and calmness, while other colours can stimulate our minds and make us more alert.
And it's not pseudo-science mumbo jumbo; multiple and rigorous research over the years has proven the psychological effects of particular colours.
So what is this magic colour when it comes to bedroom hues?
Overall, muted cooler colours are the best for your bedroom walls, but the colour blue has been shown to offer the most benefits. Studies have shown that people who have bedrooms painted blue tend to sleep longer than those who get their shuteye in rooms of different colours (note this is different from the concept of blue light emitted from TVs and smartphones affecting sleep – read more about that here).
A national sleep study conducted by Travelodge Hotels in 2013 found that participants who slept in bedrooms at home painted blue slept the longest and woke up the happiest out of any other wall colour. The results of the study, confirmed by scientists, influenced Travelodge’s £57 million refurbishment programme later that year, which included painting all their hotel rooms with a sleep-inducing tranquil blue colour palette to create a more calming environment:
But why blue?
One of the major reasons has a whole lot to do with our eyes. Specialised receptors in the retina at the back of our eyes – called ganglion cells – are most sensitive to the colour blue. These receptor cells are responsible for relaying information to the part of your brain that controls your body's circadian rhythm (body clock) which, in turn, affects everything from mental performance to how you feel physically during the day.
The colour blue is associated with feelings of calm which, when picked up by your ganglion cells and relayed to your brain, helps reduce blood pressure and heart rate, all of which help you get a better night’s sleep.
It shouldn’t be surprising that blue came top of the best colours to promote sleep. Psychologically most of us relate blue to calm clear waters and the vast blue sky, both natural elementals which we find soothing and restful.
The colour blue may also influence other aspects of our wellbeing…
Mood
Simply going about day to day life, you are sure to notice how colour can affect your mood. Some colours just make you feel happier, while others can seem more depressing or arousing. And there’s research to back that up. Cooler colours have shorter wavelengths, which have been shown to evoke more relaxing feelings than warmers colours like red, which can be more stimulating. One report from the University of Kentucky even found exposure to blue and green corresponded with calming physical responses, including lower pulse rate and blood pressure.
Beyond just the colour itself, you also have to take into account the colour’s particular saturation, hue and brightness as well. The saturation refers to the purity of the colour, while the brightness refers to its relative lightness or darkness. Colours that are highly saturated but less bright can be energising, while those that are bright but less saturated (like a pastel sage green) are known to be more relaxing. As French artist Henri Matisse, known for his use of the colour blue in his artwork, surmised,
“A certain blue can enter your soul. A certain red has an effect on your blood pressure.”
Temperature sensation
Research has also shown that rooms painted in warmer colours, like reds and oranges, can actually make us feel like the temperature is warmer than ones painted with cool colours, like blues and greens. Recently, the American paint brand Valspar teamed up with a research laboratory to explore this phenomenon. The participants were placed in three separate rooms; each room was set to the ambient temperature of 19°C but painted with different colours. When asked to record the temperature they felt in their room, 28% felt the coolest in the one painted deep blue.
This survey (and many more like this) reinforces the idea that colour plays a big role in shaping our perceptions. The colour of your bedroom walls may not only impact how hot or cold you feel, but they can also affect how calm or relaxed you are when you get into bed at night – and how much sleep you get.
Other colours that may help you sleep
As discussed above, blue appears to be the best colour for your bedroom. Not only is it more muted and easier on the eye, but the colour blue has been demonstrated to help keep us calmer, more relaxed and more comfortable. All shades of blue can evoke a tranquil atmosphere, but stick with mid-shades on your bedroom walls for the best effect. And opt for matt or satin finishes to reduce light reflections and glares.
And if the colour blue isn’t your style, try to keep your bedroom wall colour in the realm of relaxing shades, like greys, silvers, and neutrals, since these cooler colours have also been known to help lower blood pressure and heart rate. Other colours at the same end of the spectrum, such as green and yellow, may also work since they can help create an inviting, cosy and calm feel.
And if you can’t actually paint your bedroom walls for any reason, don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to incorporate colour into your bedroom through furniture, bedding or even artwork: