Choosing bedroom wall colors is always a daunting task. Get the right shade right, and your room will be transformed. But if you choose the wrong one, the entire room will look less beautiful, and even carefully selected furniture will look underwhelming.
That's why we must consider all possible options before deciding on wall colors. Room size, home style, door and window finishes, flooring, furniture color... Nothing should be left to chance. And let's not forget that adding color to bedroom walls goes hand in hand with choosing the right decorations: a bare wall, even if colorful, will still be decidedly boring, right?
In this little guide, you'll find everything you need to know to guide you through choosing bedroom wall colors! Practical advice, trending ideas... And some DIY tips!
Colored walls in the bedroom: yes or no?
The answer to this first question is: absolutely yes! Let's start with a basic concept, perhaps obvious but not trivial: the bedroom is not the living area. You might be tempted by a bright hue, perhaps after seeing some inspiration on Pinterest.
The truth is, you have to be careful with colored walls in the bedroom: we're talking about the most intimate room in the house, the one where we relax and can be ourselves. Opting for a color that's too flashy, following current trends, could make you second-guess yourself!
Let's be clear: there's no ideal color scheme or recommended colors, because ultimately, much depends on your taste and the style of your decor. However, it's best to choose a relaxing combination that's conducive to rest.
Among the least suitable colors for bedroom walls are scarlet red, electric blue, and fuchsia. These "energetic" shades can further stimulate the brain, preventing you from falling asleep or relaxing properly. Instead, choose soothing colors for your bedroom—soft hues that will help you create the best possible atmosphere for restful sleep.
Painting all the walls is also not recommended: it's much better to limit yourself to just two colored walls, or even just one. This is the best solution because it allows you to add an original touch to the room without compromising its brightness. Furthermore, if you choose to paint the wall behind the bed, you can have fun decorating it to the fullest and thus highlight the focal point of the room, enhancing the entire decor in one go.
How to choose the color for your bedroom walls?
Whether you're furnishing a new home or renovating your old bedroom, don't forget this tip: choosing bedroom wall colors is a process that must take numerous factors into account!
So always ask yourself these questions before choosing how to paint your bedroom:
- What material are the flooring and baseboards made of?
- To what cardinal point is the room oriented?
- What finish do the doors have?
- What style is the furniture?
- What color are the blankets, sheets, and curtains in the bedroom?
Now that you have a clear picture, let's choose wall colors based on three criteria: the size of the bedroom, the style of the furniture, and the color of the furniture!
Choosing wall paint based on the size of the bedroom
Choosing the right color for a bedroom also means considering the room's dimensions. Why? Always keep in mind that dark colors make surfaces appear smaller, while light colors can increase the perceived size of the room.
Do you have a small bedroom (or perhaps one with a dim light due to a north-facing exposure)? Choose pearl gray, beige, or pastel colors for the bedroom walls! Is the room particularly long and narrow? Paint one of the two smaller walls a dark color and leave all the others white: the proportions will immediately appear more harmonious. Do you live in an attic with a low ceiling? Paint one or two bedroom walls with a vertical stripe pattern to give the illusion of a higher space.
If your bedroom is large, airy, and well-lit... well, in this case, you really have carte blanche. If you like that style, you can even dare to add black walls to your bedroom: black (like its more refined "brother," anthracite gray) invites reflection and meditation. The perfect color for a deep sleep!
Choosing the bedroom wall color based on the style of your home
Every style requires its own color! Overly saturated walls will never pair well with vintage furnishings, for example. Here's a short list of tips for best matching bedroom colors with different furnishing styles.
The most suitable colors for a shabby chic, Provençal, or vintage bedroom
The shabby chic style favors soft, elegant colors: imagine the delicious shades of coffee: mocha, cappuccino, latte, chocolate... All these shades, when paired with white or ivory, are perfect.
For a shabby chic bedroom, light, dusty wall colors like dove gray, blush pink, and pearl gray are also ideal. If you love Provençal style and the atmosphere of the French countryside, play it safe and choose lavender, but be careful: use it sparingly! A single white and lilac striped surface, for example, will be a truly classy touch.
The most suitable paints for the walls of a classic bedroom
A particularly challenging task: choosing the right paint for the walls of a classic bedroom means enhancing valuable furnishings without overpowering the overall look. Large, glossy, solid wood furniture... If the description reflects your room, it's best to leave the space as airy as possible.
Your favorite colors should be light, subtle: ivory or powder blue to stay classic, Tiffany or sage green if you want to make the room feel fresh and modern. A pearl gray bedroom is the height of classicism, while if the headboard is gold, choose a beautiful, vibrant teal: it will make it stand out beautifully!
Wall Colors for a Modern Bedroom
Again, pay attention to balance: the wall colors for a modern bedroom should respect the contemporary nature of the room, avoiding overly loud hues.
Global shades of gray (from concrete to anthracite), onion pink (beautiful and very contemporary), and mustard yellow are all good choices. Or, if the room is large and bright enough, you could even try black. Don't overdo it, and in small doses, of course!
All the charm of a loft: wall colors for an industrial-style bedroom
If you love industrial style, your bedroom probably feels very much like a loft: spartan and textured furnishings, with extensive use of aged wood and black metal. What paint colors can we pair with all this? The quintessential industrial wall colors are anthracite gray and burgundy, even better when paired with a concrete or brick wall.
Industrial bedrooms are truly unique and perfect for those who love a bold style with a strong personality: in a bedroom like this, you'll feel like you're living in Brooklyn!
Nature and brightness: how to choose the colors for a Nordic-style bedroom
The Scandinavian palette is cool and bright, warmed by the natural wood found in the furniture and parquet flooring. The best wall colors for a Nordic-style bedroom are gray, whale blue (a very desaturated dark blue), petrol green, and even ochre and mustard, which are the least warm and vibrant of the yellows. Paired with gray, they create an elegant yet understated effect!
Be sure to choose matching sheets and blankets and add a faux sheepskin rug: in Scandinavian style, textiles are crucial, and textures also contribute to the room's aesthetic, especially when paired with the right colors.
The Matching Game! How to Match Bedroom Wall Colors to Furniture
If you already own furniture and can't or don't want to change it, you'll need to take this into account before choosing bedroom wall color combinations.
Cherry wood furniture? Avoid further "warming up" the room and choose a beautiful, rich, cool, and deep color, like forest green or teal. White, distressed furniture? Darker colors from the shabby chic palette are ideal for making them pop, like a coffee shade or a beautiful, solid gray. Lacquered furniture? Opt for a complementary color in a matte, satin finish for contrast. Light wood furniture? Blue walls are a classic that will make them pop like never before.
How to DIY Paint Your Bedroom Walls!
Would you like to try your hand at DIY and want to know how to paint your bedroom walls? We totally approve of it: the result may not be perfect, but how about the satisfaction of doing something with your own hands?
Here are some tips for painting your bedroom walls without making a mess:
1) Start by calculating how much paint you'll need. Measure the walls of the room (if you want to paint all the walls of the bedroom, don't forget the ceiling!) and subtract the volume of doors and windows: this will give you the exact size of the surface you'll need to paint. Now divide this number by a value known in paint jargon as "coverage," which is how many square meters a liter of paint can cover: 7-9 square meters if the walls are smooth, 6-8 square meters if they are rough. Add at least a 10% reserve in case something goes wrong: better to be safe than sorry! Choose the colors for your bedroom walls and go shopping!
2) What do you need to paint the bedroom walls? In addition to paint, here's a list of everything you'll need: a roller or paintbrush for larger surfaces, a smaller brush for corners, cans and buckets, a stick to stir the paint, masking tape and plastic sheeting to protect the floor, shelves, and baseboards, gloves and a mask for protection. If there are any holes to fill, you'll also need some filler, a putty knife, and a sander to level the wall.
3) That's it, it's time to paint the bedroom walls! First, cover all surfaces with plastic sheeting and tape, or you'll end up scraping dried paint off the floor. Then prepare the paint: follow the directions on the package to thin it.
Here we go! How to paint the bedroom? Start by spreading it evenly, starting from the corners (with the smallest brush) and using the roller as you move toward the inside of the walls. Work vertically, from the ceiling to the floor and vice versa, and let it dry between coats of paint (two is the minimum). Apply the second coat horizontally, perpendicular to the first. And so on.
4) Be careful not to leave walls unfinished: once you start a wall, you also have to finish it, otherwise the bedroom wall colors will look uneven! Don't start in a rush; take your time.
5) If the result isn't perfect, don't despair! You can also remove excess paint drops later with sandpaper, and stains on the floor can always be removed (preferably while they're still wet).
Now that you know everything about painting, go choose your bedroom wall colors and... Happy painting!
