What is the best colour for a Bedroom?
Colour Palette Blue Green
CALMNESS REST COMFORT
Choosing the "best" color for a bedroom is highly subjective, as it depends on individual preferences and the desired mood and atmosphere that you want to create for that space. However, based on colour psychology and popular trends, the options to contemplate will often need to promote relaxation, comfort, and of course a good night's sleep. My personal choice for 2025 is Blue and Greens, going back to nature.
The old saying "blue and green should never be seen" is a long-standing, though outdated, rule. It suggests that these two colours clash when brought together, but in the world of interiors, it couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, they are the colours that naturally complement each other, especially in nature. Therefore we must conclude that it is not only okay to have the colours blue and green together, but it's also a highly recommended and incredibly popular combination in interior design, especially for a calm and restful bedroom.
OUR Choice for a Relaxing Bedroom:
Blues: Often considered the most calming color, blue is associated with the sky and sea, promoting feelings of peace, serenity, and tranquility.
Soft blues, pastel blues, or powder blues: These lighter shades are excellent for creating a serene and airy atmosphere.
Muted blues with warm undertones: Can make the space feel more comforting.
Deep navy or indigo: Can create a more sophisticated and cocooning effect, especially when paired with white accents.
Psychology: Can lower blood pressure and heart rate, aiding relaxation and sleep.
Greens: Evoking nature, green promotes harmony, balance, and rejuvenation.
Sage green, mint green, or other pale greens: Offer a fresh, tranquil, and spa-like feel.
Deep forest green: Creates a cocooning and grounding effect.
Psychology: Associated with growth, renewal, and improved well-being; can help reduce stress.
We use Little Greene Blue & Green Paints - Ideal colours for a Calm & Restful bedroom
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Little Greene Salix (99) is as a cool silver paint with a touch of green.
It's a very subtle and sophisticated colour. While it leans towards being a neutral, the hint of green gives it a natural, calming quality. It's often associated with creating a sense of calm and is suggested for elegant schemes, pairing well with both dark and vibrant colours.
Think of it as a soft, muted greige, but with a distinct lean towards green rather than beige, giving it a fresh, silvery undertone.
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Little Greene Celestial Blue (101) is a dusky variant of Sky Blue with a dash of green.
It's a very appealing and tranquil colour that can appear to shift subtly depending on the light, sometimes looking more blue, sometimes more grey, and always with that underlying hint of green. It creates a beautiful and restful ambience in bedrooms.
It's a versatile shade that originates from a rare surviving paint colour card from 1807, giving it a timeless and historic feel.
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Little Greene Wood Ash (229) is a flake grey, just off-white, and an ideal ceiling and wall colour in bedrooms.
Essentially, it's a very light, almost-white neutral with a subtle grey undertone. The "flake grey" description suggests a soft, almost imperceptible grey quality, preventing it from being a stark white and giving it more depth. It's often recommended for creating a light and inviting appearance.
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Little Greene Mirror (219) is a pared-down green with an unquestionable calming quality.
It's a subtle, very soft green that tends to lean towards a muted, almost greyish-green rather than a vibrant one. This makes it a very versatile and sophisticated colour, often chosen for spaces where a sense of tranquility and understated elegance is desired.
With a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 71, it's a relatively light colour that can help to brighten and enlarge a space, while still providing that gentle touch of green.
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Little Greene Dock Blue (252) is a deep indigo blue.
It's a generous and indulgent colour that is a little warmer than its greener sister shade, Royal Navy. This suggests it has a rich, slightly purple-red undertone that gives it a sophisticated depth, making it feel luxurious and impactful.
It's a strong, confident blue, perfect for creating a statement or a cosy, cocooning feel in a bedroom.
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Little Greene Pale Lupin (278) is a beautiful blue shade that is soft without being too muted, and warm without becoming too lavender.
It's a delicate and versatile blue that carries a subtle warmth, preventing it from feeling cold. While it has that "lupin" name suggesting a connection to the flower and thus a hint of purple, Little Greene emphasizes that it doesn't cross over into a strong lavender. This makes it a sophisticated and calming choice, often described as feminine or graceful.
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Little Greene Etruria (326) is a classic muted blue paint colour.
It's inspired by the work of the renowned potter Josiah Wedgwood, who named his Staffordshire ceramic factory 'Etruria' in 1769 as a tribute to ancient Etruscan and Greek pottery. This historical context suggests a timeless and sophisticated blue, likely with a soft, understated quality rather than being bright or vibrant.
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Little Greene Hopper (297) is a bold, highly pigmented green.
It's described as a strong and vibrant shade that is admired for the way it matches the colour of the leaves in the garden when the sun shines through them. It was notably used on the exterior woodwork of playwright George Bernard Shaw's home, reflecting his love for nature and his garden.
With a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 14, it's a relatively dark and intense colour, capable of creating a dramatic and immersive feel. It's definitely a statement green, perfect for bringing the depth and vibrancy of nature indoors.
Here's why blue and green work so beautifully together, particularly in a bedroom:
Nature's Palette: Just look outside! The sky and sea are blue, and plants and trees are green. This combination is naturally occurring and incredibly harmonious, which is why our brains perceive it as calming and balanced. Bringing these elements into your home creates a sense of peace and connection to the outdoors.
Analogous Colours: On the colour wheel, blue and green are analogous colours – meaning they sit next to each other. Colours that are adjacent on the colour wheel naturally blend well and create a sense of harmony and fluidity. This makes for a cohesive and restful aesthetic.
Calming and Soothing Properties:
Blue: Associated with calm, serenity, tranquility, and wisdom. It can lower blood pressure and heart rate, making it ideal for promoting relaxation and sleep.
Green: Evokes nature, growth, balance, and renewal. It is known to reduce stress and create a sense of well-being.
When combined, these two cool colours amplify each other's soothing effects, creating an incredibly peaceful and restful environment, perfect for a bedroom.
Versatility in Shades: The beauty of blue and green is the vast array of shades available. You can create very different moods:
Soft Pastels: Pale blues and mint greens create a fresh, airy, and spring-like feel.
Deep Jewel Tones: Navy blues and emerald greens (or forest greens) create a sophisticated, moody, and luxurious atmosphere.
Muted Tones: Sage greens and dusty blues offer a refined, understated, and very calming vibe.
Teal/Aqua: These colours are a direct blend of blue and green, showcasing how naturally they combine.
How to Use Blue and Green Together in a Bedroom:
Wall Colouring:
Paint all walls a soft blue or green, and use the other colour for bedding, curtains, or accents.
Consider an accent wall in a slightly deeper shade of blue or green, with the other colour dominating the remaining walls or soft furnishings.
Little Greene's "Aquamarine" or "Bone China Blue" (blue-greens) are perfect examples of colours that naturally blend both hues.
Layering with Textiles: This is a fantastic way to introduce both colours.
Blue walls with green bedding (duvet, pillows, throws).
Green walls with blue curtains or rugs.
Combining different patterns that feature both colours can add visual interest without being overwhelming.
Furniture and Accessories:
A blue upholstered headboard with green accent pillows.
Green bedside tables against blue walls.
Introduce plants (natural green!) into a blue room to effortlessly incorporate the second colour.
Artwork, lamps, and decorative objects can also tie the scheme together.
Varying Intensity: You don't have to use equal amounts of both. You might have a dominant blue with subtle green accents, or vice versa. Mixing different strengths and saturation levels (e.g., a deep navy with a light sage) adds sophistication.
In summary, blue and green are not only acceptable together, but they are a celebrated and highly effective colour combination for creating peaceful, harmonious, and beautiful bedrooms.
Other top choices for a Bedroom
Warm Neutrals (Beige, Cream, Taupe, Ivory, Warm White): These timeless shades create a sense of calm, elegance, and warmth.
Beige and taupe: Offer a cozy and inviting feel, connecting to natural elements.
Warm whites: Provide a soft, subtle backdrop that feels comforting and spacious, unlike stark brilliant whites which can feel sterile.
Psychology: Grounding and soothing, promoting a sense of security and comfort.
Muted Pinks: Soft, comforting, and often associated with tenderness and warmth.
Dusty pinks, rose hues, or blush pinks: Can add gentle warmth and an air of opulence while remaining calming.
Psychology: Can promote feelings of comfort and tranquility, and have a balancing effect.
Lavender/Soft Purples: Promote creativity and a serene, peaceful atmosphere.
Lilac or light lavender: Can be very relaxing and elegant.
Psychology: Can help release tension and promote restful sleep.
Colours to Use with Caution (or as Accents):
Yellow: While associated with happiness and positivity, bright yellows can be overstimulating for a bedroom. Soft, buttery yellows can create a cozy ambiance without being overwhelming, and can be good for north-facing rooms lacking natural light.
Red/Orange: These are stimulating and energetic colors, generally not recommended for primary bedroom wall colors as they can increase heart rate and hinder relaxation. Best used as small accents if desired.
Dark Greys/Black: While a deep grey-blue can be calming, charcoal or black can be dramatic. If used, consider it for an accent wall or to create a very moody, cocooning effect, balanced with lighter elements.