15 best bedroom paint colors for a restful and serene escape

Choosing bedroom paint colors is as much down to personal preference as it is about picking a shade that is both stylish and timeless. What is most important when selecting a color for this personal retreat is that the space feels calming and the shade will encourage rest and sleep.

Our bedrooms are our sanctuaries, a place to retreat at the end of a busy day and begin a new one afresh. It’s probably the most personal space in the house, so it needs to strike a balance of showcasing personality while also feeling restful – for which the right paint color is key. 

From classic neutrals for creating a peaceful atmosphere, to bolder hues of blue, green, and pink to add more character, the colors recommended for decorating bedrooms by our team of experts all offer an unfailing foundation for your decorating scheme with an acknowledging nod to the most recent interior paint color trends.

Best bedroom paint colors of 2022

1. Timeless neutrals

Creamy barely-there shades have been with us for years and have always been popular living room paint colors as well as bedroom shades. 

Neutrals have enjoyed a huge resurgence in recent years when we've craved somewhere quiet and soothing to rest and as trends like Japandi bedroom ideas have gained popularity. Neutrals are sometimes seen as a ‘safe’ choice but there is so much you can do with neutrals given the many different shades to choose from. 

Warmer neutrals work well in cooler, north-facing rooms, whereas south-facing light harbors a yellow hue, so cooler whites and creams are better. Layers of similar tones keep a scheme from feeling flat, so choose a palette of your favorite neutral shades to work with. 


"When using colors in a bedroom, it’s best to think about the tone of the color rather than the specific color itself," says Emma Bestley, Creative Director of Yes Colours (opens in new tab). "Any color can be used in the bedroom, but softer, paler, or muted versions of the color will work best at creating a soothing setting, ideal for sleeping."

2. Deep sea blues

Blue has always been a popular choice for bedrooms thanks to its calming qualities. In recent years, the deeper, bolder blues inspired by watery seascapes have proved increasingly popular and continue to be key in bedroom trends for 2022.

It is a myth often told that dark colors make a room feel smaller, but deeper shades can be suited to small rooms such as bedrooms to create a cocooning sense of coziness – making a virtue of its darkness. 

"Blue is the new black," says Martin Waller, Founder of design company Andrew Martin (opens in new tab). "The boldness and warmth found in blue will continue to be prominent in our homes throughout 2022."

Bold blues are uplifting but still evoke peace and tranquility. "Don’t be afraid to use darker shades, as when used all over, bolder hues such as the blue-black ‘Basalt’ provide a sumptuous depth which creates that cozy, cocooning quality that’s perfect for a bedroom space," says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene (opens in new tab).

3. Serene green

Green walls are the ideal color to invite nature in and create an earthy, grounding feel in the bedroom where you want to feel safe. As with all colors, there are many variations of green to choose from and all have their own benefits and meaning. Blue-greens like aqua and teal are associated with emotional healing and protection, grey-green shades of sage green and celadon are soft and muted, while olive is the traditional color of peace. 



"We have all seen interior design trends of encouraging the outside world into our interiors, with green shades creating a de-stimulating and calming environment with their biophilic nature," says Tobie Lewis, Senior Brand Manager at Valspar Paint (opens in new tab). "Earthier olive tones are ideal for an organic, minimal feel for bedrooms."


"I love a muted palette of greens to create a comforting, soothing scheme - combining a fresh shade like 'Aquamarine' with the tranquillity of 'Ambleside' for a sense of calm and restfulness," says Ruth.

4. soothing gray

Pale gray has become the new neutral. The secret to using it successfully in the bedroom is to pick the right tones for the type of light within the room. Warm grays work well with cool shaded light, whereas cooler grays work best in warmer, sunnier light. 

"A soothing palette is a perfect way to create a restful ambiance. Walls in soft gray, white, or cream will create a cocooning feel that is calm and serene," says Caroline Milns, Head of Interior Design at architectural practice and design specialists Zulufish (opens in new tab). 

"Lighter colors such as these across the walls will gently suffuse the light; gray hues will cool the space, perfect for more sunny rooms, whereas white and cream will warm and bounce the light, ideal for rooms with less natural light. Keeping the main framework of the room more refined and neutral will also create an easy backdrop to layer touches of color and pattern through the choice of accessories."

5. Sophisicated pinks

Pink has become another neutral because it goes with so many other colors. Pink paint colors work particularly well with ochre, green, mulberry, coral, and orange. Depending on which shade you choose, it can be sophisticated and feminine or punchy and vibrant.  

A bedroom painted pink will look inviting no matter how much natural light is present and at night it will look wonderfully cozy, giving a warm, welcoming glow.

"Bedrooms and north-facing rooms are perfect spaces for blush pink," says Marianne Shillingford (opens in new tab), creative director of Dulux. "All pinks have become popular in the past few years but none so much as the blush pink shades that capture the essence of what it is to be happy and loved."

How do I choose a paint color for my bedroom?

The best way to settle on a color choice for your bedroom is to take into account what you already have in the room first. Or, if the room is empty, think about the furniture, textiles and decor you want to have in the room and use that as a starting point. 

"Consider the textiles and finishes you own or are drawn to, as these play a crucial role in setting the mood and color for your bedroom," says Betsy Smith, Color Consultant of eco-paint brand Graphenstone (opens in new tab). "Textured fabrics such as linens, textured wools, natural woods, and cane will appear elevated against neutral paint shades. Light tones such as Stone set a calming, serene ambiance. Increase the contrast with a dark neutral such as gray for a moodier atmosphere."

What is the most peaceful color for a bedroom?

"If you want to create a subtle scheme, light hues with a pink undertone make for a perfect alternative neutral," says Helen Shaw, UK Director of Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab). "They can be used from floor to ceiling or combined with crisp whites and soft greys to create a smart Scandi style scheme. Also, consider natural plaster tones or light terracotta shades as they create a wonderful, earthy, natural feel in a room and look particularly eye-catching in well-lit spaces and when paired with natural materials or painted wood."

Should bedrooms be painted dark or light?
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"The most important thing is to select a color you can relax in - something you can fall asleep in and be happy to wake up to – so that could be dark or light – both work," says Patrick O’Donnell, Color Ambassador for Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab). 

"South-facing bedrooms full of natural light are ideal when enhanced with lighter colors on the walls. Whereas north-facing rooms lack natural light. These spaces can often be challenging to decorate, so embrace the light limitations and create a cocooning environment with something dark.

"Deep greens such as Bancha (opens in new tab) help create a symbiosis between the interior and exterior, especially if you are fortunate to look out over nature. Or even more bold colors, such as Railings (opens in new tab), can work very successfully."