From warm and neutral examples to vibrant ideas.
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We'll be the first to admit that waking up early and getting out of a cozy bed isn't always that enticing, but creating a bedroom that's energizing and mood boosting can make it a whole lot easier. Research into color psychology shows that certain hues can positively affect your mood and mental health, and nowhere is that more important than in your bedroom. Cool tones like baby blue, navy, and hunter green can help induce a full night's sleep and ample relaxation, while bright shades like yellows and whites can help energize you and might even stop you from hitting snooze so much. At the very least, your bedroom will be great to look at.
You should also take your bedroom's size and dimensions into account. The right colors can make it feel more comfortable and accentuate the design elements you love. If you want to accentuate the high ceilings, paint your bedroom a light hue, while swathing a small bedroom in a dark shade will make it feel cocooning. Painting the trim an accent color or bringing in patterned shades are fun ways to bring attention to beautiful windows.
Whether you introduce those pops of color with paint, textiles, or artwork, you'll find something to inspire you in the gorgeous examples of colorful bedrooms below (yes, even if you're a color-averse minimalist). Ahead, discover the 50 best bedroom colors for a restful retreat that reflects your design style.
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1
Moody Mahogany
Rich earth shades create an immersive sanctuary with "a touch of drama" in this Texas home, Hilary Walker says. She covered the walls in warm, soothing Farrow & Ball Deep Reddish Brown.
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2
Rich Teal
Lisa Tharp had a clear vision for this Boston pied-Ă -terre: luxury hotel meets swanky dinner club. A two-tone paint job makes staying in its guest bedroom with high ceilings and no natural light "a more human-scale, enveloping experience," she says. She used Ecos Paints Archer Teal on the lower walls and Travertine on the upper walls and ceiling, both from her own collection for the company.
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3
Pastel Lavender
When a bed upholstered in light green velvet was back-ordered for the primary suite in this Kentucky home, Amanda Jacobs pivoted to blue, shifting the room's color scheme. The cool tones carry onto the walls painted in subtle lavender Farrow & Ball Peignoir.
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4
Butter Yellow
Photos of alpine cottages inspired this gingham-clad bunk room. While bunk beds are typically built for children, they were added here because "they're a way of creating warmth, a sense of comfort and coziness, and allow you to be in the same room with others without feeling exposed," says Amity Worrel of Amity Worrel & Co. The buttery yellow hue of the walls heightens that welcoming feeling. For a similar look, try Farrow & Ball Farrow's Cream.
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5
Lime Green
Hilary Walker painted the brick wall in these boys' bedroom in Benjamin Moore Castleton Mist, which suits the home's midcentury style and provides the perfect, equally colorful backdrop for their artwork.
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6
Forest Green
Kerri Pilchik coated the trim in this main bedroom in Benjamin Moore Herb Garden to contrast the custom upholstered bed and Sanderson Wallpaper. Blue and natural wood accents round it out.
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7
Blush Pink
If this whimsical bedroom doesn't make you blush, we don't know what will. "Exuberantly feminine, yet resolutely chic" was Jonathan Berger's motto. For a similar look, try Benjamin Moore Pristine, an off-white with dusty rose undertones.
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8
Deep Red
In this warm yet polished bedroom by Heidi Caillier, bewitching red walls set a romantic mood. For a similar look, try Benjamin Moore Ruby Dusk. The accent pillow features a bolder red that brightens the space while keeping it calm, cozy, and just a touch mysterious.
9
Bright Red Accents
Or reverse the look and opt for bright white walls and bold red bedding, artwork, and floors. The high-impact combo in this bedroom by Anthony Baratta has won us over. Should you want paint this shade, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for KILZ Hopscotch is a similar orange-red.
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10
Red Lacquer
High energy yet calming, bold yet timeless, this jaw-dropping bedroom by Brian J. McCarthy is serious goals. For a similar effect, stick to a tight two-color story with walls in a showstopping super-high-gloss paint (like Farrow & Ball Blazer) and a ceiling in a flat white. "This finish feels fresh for a guest room, and the surprising pop of color is both warm and chic," he says.
11
Bubble Gum Pink
Too outrageous? No such thing. A bright bubblegum pink (like Benjamin Moore Deep Carnation) is a fearless choice. In this bedroom by Anna Spiro, it asserts a youthful spirit that balances out more traditional choices like the antique dresser and tight floral patterns.
12
Petal Pink
This beautiful bedroom by Chip and Joanna Gaines makes a strong case for pink. One of their goals in renovating Cottonland Castle was to honor its historical significance. Here, an original fireplace nods to the past, while walls painted in Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines for KILZ Rosy Pink feels fresh. A vintage oil painting and modern flower sconce play up the same old-new contrast.
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13
Peach
"The bedroom gets great light throughout the day, so we wanted to go for a peachy color on the walls that would give it a nice glow with the sunlight," Leah Ring says. To get the effect, she used Benjamin Moore Juno Peach. The resulting space "feels layered in a comfortable way but not too busy—[you] feel very serene when you're in the room." Ring also wove some of the client's existing pieces into the design. The pillow, for example, was custom made out of one of her old vintage quilts, and the Plexiglas butterfly artwork brings a tough of whimsy.
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14
Salmon
The missing piece for this room was the rug, Avery Cox says. It helps tie together the paint colors: light blue on the walls, and starfish orange on the moldings and door. (For a similar look, try Benjamin Moore Salmon Run.) Deeper, more saturated shades of blue and yellow as well as ruddier shades of pink help build out a balanced color palette.
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15
Coral
Nothing radiates joy quite like coral—as far as paint colors are concerned, at least. In this bedroom by Nickey Kehoe, walls painted in Farrow & Ball Red Earth pick up the bright tones featured in the gallery wall, while the trim, which is a darker gray color, reflects the cooler neutrals in the bedding and accents. Under direct light, the walls appears brighter, while they mimic the muted shade of terra cotta in dimmer or less direct light.
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16
Cream
Who says beige and cream are boring? Dependable, versatile, warm, and subtle, these neutrals are some of the best paint colors for a bedroom. A super light taupe shade (try Farrow & Ball Dimity to get the look) contrasts just enough with a crisp, bright interior while injecting some warmth. Add pops of cheerful color via your decor and throw pillows or keep it classic as Richard Beard did here.
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17
Caramel
Take a cue from this bedroom designed by Danielle Colding and match your upholstered headboard to the walls. Here, the studded border adds a touch of intrigue but blends right into the beige behind it for a timeless look. For a similar effect, try Benjamin Moore Gingerbread Man.
18
Terra Cotta
In Garrow Kedigian's Montreal townhouse, the guest bedroom's terra-cotta walls exude warmth. Though brown isn't exactly the most obvious paint color when decorating a bedroom, this nook painted in Benjamin Moore Terra Mauve makes a strong case for it. It's unexpected, which makes it perfect if you like to experiment with color but don't love bright neons and playful pastels.
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19
Chocolate Brown
This rich, deep color is more calming than it is energizing, which is why Fiona Lynch felt it was perfect for a bedroom. She painted the walls in Dulux Rich Biscuit, then mixed in some offbeat accents to create an atmosphere of eclectic elegance.
20
Ochre and Teal
Peter Dunham used a mustard yellow accent wall to echo the upholstered headboard and warm up this bedroom. The custom curtain wall and bedside sconces give the small space a regal feel.
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