Research Proves—These Calming Bedroom Colors Will Soothe Your Senses

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Let’s begin with an ode to our senses. They’re amazing. At times (and when able), we can smell, taste, see, touch, and hear our way toward tranquility. A glimpse at an image, whiff of essential oil, or moment in a sound bath can relieve stress and transport us to a place of ease. The takeaway? When we treat our senses well, calm and relaxation is within our reach. This is so true in the context of interior design, particularly when it comes to the bedroom. By choosing calming bedroom colors, we can support our well-being and have better quality rest. Read on for some of most soothing—and beautiful—calming bedroom colors that ease the senses.

The Best Calming Bedroom Colors

The research speaks here. Over the last several decades, scientists have found cool colors pulled from nature—i.e., shades of blue and green and earthy grays—to evoke the greatest sense of ease. More recently, a British project dubbed The World’s Favourite Colour Project asked thousands of people across the world to link certain colors to how they made them feel. The prize for the most calming color was… blue. Specifically, navy blue. The color of the ocean and sky, blue is one of nature’s non-stimulating color that puts our mind and body at ease.

What are the most calming colors for sleep?

This is where it gets interesting. While blue reigns as the most calming hue of all, other shades that conjure images of sunsets and silvery lakes are also known to be excellent for inducing sleep. These include earthy greens, dusty soft yellows, light clay browns, soft oranges, and natural pinks. All of these calm colors are plucked from natural landscapes, which makes them ideal options for the bedroom. Green, especially, is known to diffuse anxiety and welcome harmony.

Which colors are not calming?

This can elicit a personal answer—and that’s because color is personal. How you respond to a hue is akin to how you may love or loathe a perfume or a film. With that said, shades of red are known to be stimulating and fiery, thus invoking alertness and proving to be a better color for the living room or kitchen. Still, it’s important to choose the bedroom colors that ease your senses. One person’s calm bedroom colors can differ from another’s.

If you’re not sure what hues to start with, look to these calming bedroom colors as inspiration.  

Light Pinks, Yellows, and Oranges

Think of the California desert on a late August evening. It’s a tapestry of terra cotta earth that kisses the gold sunset. These calming colors bring exactly that into the bedroom.

Earthy Greens

You know that calm feeling when you walk on fresh grass? That’s what this color does in our homes. Green speaks of peacefulness, nature, and harmony.

Warm Whites

White is known to protest your aura. More so, it’s a hue that is always complementary, calming, and serene. Lean into warmer buttery whites for the bedroom to up the calming vibes.

Cool and Calm Greys

The key to choosing the most serene, calm grey is to pick one with earthy and warm natural undertones.

Light and Dark Blues

Reminiscent of the sky and ocean, light blues evoke feelings of serenity, ease, calmness, and trust.