These 6 Colors Could Help You Sleep More Soundly

The contour of your pillows, the firmness of your mattress, and the feel of your bedding are all elements you carefully choose to ensure a good night’s sleep. But the color of your bedroom can also significantly impact your sleep quality.

“Bedrooms are the most personal spaces in any home—this is where we disconnect from our daily routines and the noise of life. While your mattress will be the main factor for a good night's sleep, color can definitely help too,” says Patrick O’Donnell, global brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball. “That doesn’t mean bland colors, but ideally nothing too stimulating, so it's best to avoid colors that are too vivid or bright.”

The following serene shades are recommended by the experts to help create a peaceful space for restful sleep. 

How to Choose Paint Colors for the Bedroom

“Colors have a significant psychological impact,” explains designer Lindsey Putzier. “Warm and bright colors are naturally stimulating. This doesn’t mean they’re a poor choice for every bedroom; however, if you have trouble settling down at night, warm and bright colors might not be the best choice, especially in large quantities.”

So where should you start when deciding on bedroom colors? “The first step to designing a sleep-friendly bedroom is to think about colors associated with relaxation, peace, and calm,” advises Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar. “Cool colors like blues and greens, and warm neutrals are soothing hues,” says Kim.

Additionally, how you apply the color and what accents you pair with it are also crucial in creating a restful bedroom. “High-contrast colors can be stimulating, but a low-contrast color pairing calms the mind before sleep,” says Kim. Color drenching is a technique that may aid sleep: using the same color palette on multiple surfaces in the room creates “no visual distractions and enhances the sense of calm,” according to O’Donnell.

6 Bedroom Paint Colors That Promote Sleep

1. Mid Greens

“Mid greens are a fantastic starting point for any bedroom décor as they’re often cited in color psychology as promoting rest and calm,” says O’Donnell. “Avoid overly clean or bright greens—you want something with a sage-like quality.” For a traditional look, especially in larger rooms, O’Donnell recommends colors like Farrow & Ball French Gray paired with “trim in a sympathetic white.” If your bedroom is smaller, O’Donnell suggests color drenching, such as painting fitted wardrobes the same color, to create a greater sense of space.

2. Soft Medium Browns

Create a restful atmosphere with soft medium-brown walls. Putzier recommends shades like Sherwin-Williams Chatura Gray because the “calming neutral shade doesn’t overstimulate the mind and can serve as the foundation of a peaceful palette.” Medium brown stains are also ideal for wood bedroom furniture; “Wood, being a natural material, can also create a calming ambiance,” Putzier adds.

3. Blues

“Blue evokes feelings of nature,” says Putzier. “Aside from the brightest shades, most blues are calming and promote relaxation.” Suggesting various blue paint colors for the bedroom, such as Sherwin-Williams Poolhouse, Sherwin-Williams Naval, and Sherwin-Williams Regatta, Putzier says blues work on any surface in the room, from walls to ceilings and even furniture. 

“Painting a room in a deep, rich blue on the ceiling, walls, and trim will create a cocoon-like effect to encourage restful sleep,” adds Kim. Highlighting Valspar’s 2025 Color of the Year Encore 8002-45G, Kim notes that similar deep blues are “associated with the calming lull of the ocean, promoting high-quality sleep.”

4. Deep Browns

“Cocooning colors like deep browns can be incredibly restful, especially if they have warmth from some magenta, like Farrow & Ball London Clay,” says O’Donnell. “Dark colors work best on walls alone,” says O’Donnell, suggesting choosing trim and ceiling shades that don’t create too sharp a contrast. “Consider the underlying tone of your wall color and find an appropriate off-white,” says O’Donnell, recommending pairing with Farrow & Ball Jitney for a gentle transition between hues. 

5. Muted Blue-Greens

“Unlike brighter shades of turquoise or aqua, muted blue-greens are more tranquil than energizing,” says Putzier. “These tones let you add color to your space without overstimulating your brain.” Putzier recommends using refreshing yet relaxing hues like Sherwin-Williams Oyster Bay from floor to ceiling. “If you’re hesitant to use color all over the walls, start with soft goods,” says Putzier. “Blue-greens are great for window treatments, bedding, and pillows.”

6. Warm Neutrals

For those who prefer a more subdued color palette, Kim recommends neutrals with a warm undertone. “Creamy white, tan, and light brown hues create a sense of ease and stillness,” says Kim. She suggests pairing a deeper wall shade, such as Valspar Gallery Grey, with slightly lighter trim and ceiling colors like Valspar Crisp Cotton. Remember that even vibrant neutral contrasts can inject energy instead of creating a serene environment in the bedroom.