Your bedroom is a sanctuary, a place where you can escape the difficulties of the day-to-day. Naturally, you want your bedroom to feel cozy and welcoming.
The color palette of your bedroom goes a long way toward shaping the mood, so be sure to choose your colors carefully! Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Taupe
Taupe is an interesting neutral that sits roughly between gray and brown. It’s a staple of Scandinavian-style interiors where multiple soft neutrals create a layered palette. The pictured bedroom shows you an easy way to introduce this shade to a room: pair a taupe bedspread with beige floors, white walls, and pale wooden and gray furniture.
Taupe is also a great wall color if you’re torn between cool gray and beige. You can choose paler shades for a subtle touch of color or go with a more saturated taupe for a bolder look. It looks great in a palette with plenty of shades of beige, gray, and white.
2. Sky Blue
Since it’s a cool, soothing color, blue is a common choice for bedrooms. Sky blue is especially lovely; it’s a light, dreamy shade of blue. It’s sometimes chosen as a color for walls, but it also makes a great bedspread color. Sky blue looks good with white, as the combination is reminiscent of a sky with clouds. But this ethereal combo does well when it’s combined with a darker, grounding color. Black is often too harsh, so try charcoal gray or a deep shade of espresso brown.
3. Mustard Yellow
If you’d like your bedroom to have a touch of vintage glamor, mustard yellow is a great choice. Mustard is most often seen as a color for leather couches and chairs. But as you can see in the photo, it also looks striking as a color for velour furniture.
Mustard excels as a focal point for a room. So if you choose a mustard bed or bedspread, be sure to surround it with dark and/or cool colors. Cooler neutrals, dark blues, and even olive greens all work well. Just don’t forget to add in some white and/or other pale neutrals to balance out the palette and add some light.
4. Brick
Industrial-style living rooms and bedrooms have become more popular in recent years. And nothing says “industrial” quite like an uncovered brick wall! The reddish, almost terra-cotta hue of brick works like a warm neutral, so it looks good with white, taupe, and some cool colors like blue. If you want your bedroom walls to have a somewhat distressed finish, include large patches of white paint. This look also does well when paired with a few green plants. It’s a perfect mix of vintage and modern appeal!
5. Emerald Green
Emerald green’s bluish undertones make it a great choice of color for a bedroom. It’s intense, but the extra-cool undertones can also help you feel soothed and ensconced. Emerald fits in well with an all-cool palette, but it can really stand out in high-contrast color schemes. Try combining it with light pink or even coral for a combination that really pops. Or for a layered look, combine it with both darker and lighter shades of green.
The furniture you choose also will have a major impact on the overall mood of an emerald bedroom. Darker-stained woods create a moody look. Lighter woods create a refreshingly modern take on a classic shade of green.
6. Navy Blue
Navy blue is another classic shade that suits bedroom decor. Dark navy blue is reminiscent of the deep ocean and the night sky, so it’s perfect for lulling you to sleep at night. And as you can see in the pictured room, navy makes an especially striking wall color!
This shade also pairs beautifully with white, especially shades of cool white. Try adding some navy accent pillows to a white bedspread. But if you like patterns, it’s also a great choice. Navy and white patterned rugs, bedspreads, curtains, and wallpapers are all great choices to help your bedroom’s palette really stand out.
7. Blush Pink
For those who like the look of pink but want to avoid a palette that’s too high-energy, blush pink is the way to go. As you can see in the photo, you don’t have to feel limited to just one shade of blush pink. Layering a palette with a few different shades can create interest and depth, especially against a white backdrop. If you’re looking to add a couple of subtly glitzy accents, consider rose gold. It gives you the glamor of a metallic, but it still picks up on the pink hue of the walls, bedspread, rugs, or furniture.
8. Champagne
Champagne is sometimes a shade of beige, but it can also be a metallic. The pictured room primarily includes matte champagne on the bedspread and curtains. And as you can see, it fits in beautifully with a complex palette of whites, soft beiges, and even pale blues. If you’d prefer a shimmery look, go for satin-finished upholstery or sheets. That way, you get a little shimmer without choosing something as overtly shiny as gold or silver.
9. Periwinkle
Periwinkle has been having a moment since Pantone named Very Peri the Color of the Year for 2022. This delicate shade is not quite purple and not quite blue. It’s cool without being overwhelming, so it’s a wonderful wall color for a bedroom.
Periwinkle paired with white can start to seem a little too ethereal, so it’s a good idea to pair it with a darker color to ground it. The pictured room does this well: dark wooden furniture and dark brown curtains ground the look while still adding a pleasant contrast. For a layered palette, try mixing in a few accents in darker shades of periwinkle, too.
10. Cool White
There’s something inherently refreshing about cool, crisp white. And while white bedspreads are fairly common, you can create a uniquely modern aesthetic with an all-white bedroom, too. While keeping the walls, curtains, floor, and bedspread stark white is certainly an option, subtle patterns can make a commonplace room look one-of-a-kind.
Patterned wallpaper is a good way to do this. And while it’s not technically a pattern, a textured quilt will also help you create a minimal palette. In a mostly-white bedroom, some people choose to add in an accent or two of a brighter color (like turquoise) or a very dark contrasting color (like charcoal gray or black).
11. Silver
Silver can introduce metallic sparkle to a palette while still keeping things mostly neutral. You can incorporate it in a range of ways, too. Actual silver metal is one obvious way to do this; try adding silver mirrors or picture frames to the walls. But in a bedroom, silver sequined pillows or silver satin sheets are perfect if you want to prominently feature silver. You can incorporate silver into a white room for a cool, modern aesthetic. For something a little warmer, try sprinkling silver accents into a layered palette made primarily of warm neutrals.
12. Forest Green
Forest green is a dark, rich shade of green with bluish undertones. Like emerald green, it’s a striking (if uncommon) choice of wall color. But if you go with forest green walls, it’s wise to balance out the rest of the space with lighter shades. You often see forest green paired with soft, sandy beige or light pink. Pairing it with baby blue will help you maintain a cool theme. If you’d rather not paint a whole wall this color, a forest green bedspread or even a dresser can be a calming influence in your bedroom.
13. Golden Yellow
The colors of autumn are warm, full, and nuanced. So it’s only natural to want to use them to bring a little autumn to you! Golden yellow is a balanced and versatile shade: it’s easier on the eyes than bright yellow but less intense than burnt orange. Golden yellow is most often seen as a wall color. Try it in a bedroom with warm-hued wooden furniture and a couple of red and/or orange accents. Alternatively, a golden yellow bedspread can really pop against a sage green or burnt orange wall.
14. Farmhouse Red
Farmhouse red is a little more muted and distressed than your traditional red; it’s somewhere between bright red and brick red. This shade is enough of an earth tone to look right at home in a rustic bedroom. The pictured room is a great example. The red wall contrasts nicely with the neutral log-style walls and wooden beds.
Of course, you don’t have to go that rustic to see the benefit of this color. Farmhouse red walls also look great in a bedroom with exposed wooden beams. That way, you get just a touch of the farmhouse-style aesthetic.
15. Charcoal Gray
Charcoal gray excels as the main shade for chic, minimalist color schemes. It’s also incredibly easy to find: charcoal gray furniture, bedding, rugs, and paint are fairly ubiquitous. You can easily include this color with a charcoal gray bedspread against a white wall. For a space that’s especially unique and striking, try a textured charcoal wall like the one in the photo!
If you’ve been wanting to try a layered palette, this is a good color to do that with. Try making charcoal the darkest shade in a color scheme. Then fill in various shades of gray to complete the look. You can choose all cool grays for a cool, modern appeal, or go with a mixture of warm and cool grays for some more variety.
16. Cobalt Blue
Cobalt blue is a rich, powerful shade with a vaguely nautical feel. It’s the perfect mix of relaxing and refreshing, and it’s an ideal choice for a bedroom. If you’re ready to go bold, go with cobalt blue walls (or even an accent wall) with a white bedspread. For an easier introduction, try including a cobalt rug or bedspread in a mostly white room.
As you can see, white isn’t the only suitable partner for cobalt blue. Soft pinks, pale blues, and even seafoam green are all great to pair with this dynamic shade.
17. Wine Red
Are you looking for a bold, sophisticated color you don’t see every day? Rich wine red just might be the right shade for you. As the pictured room illustrates, it can be successful as a wall color when used carefully. But keep in mind that rich reds can be energizing. To keep a calm, balanced energy throughout the room, be sure to use plenty of a cool neutral to balance out the energy of wine red. Charcoal gray and cool beige are both good choices.
18. Celery Green
Celery isn’t quite as popular as sage, but it’s still an excellent choice for a wide variety of design applications. This shade has more yellow undertones than sage, so it looks roughly like a mix of lime green and sage green. Celery tends to be most successful as a wall color, and when it’s dilute enough, it looks like a neutral.
This green shade is fairly versatile, and it works nicely with various neutral shades. But as you can see in the pictured room, you can also pair celery with bright shades of red. If you go this route, make sure to include plenty of white, beige, or another neutral to help break up the look.
19. Dark Salmon Pink
Salmon pink is a warm shade you don’t see every day. And if you want a truly unique color choice, go with a darker-hued salmon like the one in the photo. Try dark salmon pink walls or bedspreads. It will pair beautifully with a wide variety of colors. Dark greens like emerald and forest look great. So does white. And for an extra-grounding, calming influence, go with very dark espresso brown or very dark charcoal gray.
20. Gold
Incorporating little accents of gold in the form of furniture hardware or wall hanging is often a good idea. But if you want your bedroom to look truly opulent, don’t be afraid to make gold a major color in the room’s palette. Satiny gold sheets and quilts are a great way to do this, and they really pop against dark gray walls. You can also go for a stunning quilted headboard with gold around the edges. To lean into this look, include several gold frames on the wall, too. It’s a good idea to include some darker and/or cooler colors to add some balance and stop the color scheme from becoming overwhelming.
21. Burgundy
Burgundy is a classic reddish purple that leans more purple than red. It’s often paired with gold or similar colors; you can see this in the patterned wallpaper. But a burgundy quilt can make a real statement, especially in an otherwise light-colored space. The shimmer of the one in the photo makes it especially memorable.
However, you can also use burgundy in a more modern, clean-lined aesthetic. Try burgundy walls with white trim, or include a simple burgundy bedspread and rug in a bedroom that is otherwise cool white. Geometric patterns of white and burgundy (like those on patterned wallpaper) also look quite striking.
22. Peach
If you’re hoping to create a palette that’s cozy and soothing, try using peach as your main color! Whether you choose a dilute, pastel shade or a more saturated one, peach works great as a color for your bedspread, walls, or both. As you can see in the pictured room, peach is mild enough to work in a monochromatic palette. If you do this, just make sure to add accents of other colors. Cool colors are ideal for this. Even a green or blue accent pillow or rug will often be enough.
23. Mint Green
Soft shades of green might seem subtle, but they can really build the mood of a room. And if you’re the type of person who prefers a quiet and calming sanctuary, mint green is a lovely choice. This light green has bluish undertones, and it works beautifully in a range of saturations. Very pale mint is often a successful wall color. Hues with more of a medium saturation look great on quilts and rugs. Touches of more saturated mint green can add depth and interest. If you’re considering adding them, accent pillows are an efficient way to do so. You can even add in other shades of green with green plants!
24. Baby Blue
When it comes to pastel shades for bedrooms, baby blue is a real classic. It might seem like a color for a baby boy’s nursery, but baby blue is a great color for an adult’s bedroom, too. It’s calming without feeling suffocating, and very pale pastel blues are close enough to neutral to work with a variety of colors. That said, as you can see in the photo, baby blue looks especially good with shades of white and cream. Use more white to create a look reminiscent of a cloudy sky, or include more cream for a vintage-inspired aesthetic.
25. Warm White
Largely white rooms are great for creating super-modern aesthetics. But often, rooms with a whole lot of cool white end up looking overly stark and even cold. Warm white is an easy solution: it’s a great base color for a variety of shades, and it creates an inviting ambiance, too.
As you can see in the photo, warm white is a natural companion for wood tones. It also does well with touches of black to ground it. Little touches of yellow, green, red, orange, or just about any other color can really add some interest.
26. Royal Purple
Royal purple isn’t the most common color. But if you’re a fan of purple or just really want something different, try including royal purple in your bedroom palette! This shade isn’t the most popular choice of wall color, but it’s a great choice for bedspreads, curtains, and rugs. Purple also works well in unexpected color combinations. For instance, as you can see in the photo, it actually looks nice against a rich charcoal gray wall. To lean into the cool palette, try a navy blue accent wall.
27. Lime Green
Lime green is a high-energy color that may be too much for some bedrooms. Of course, if you want a more energetic palette, you can go for lime green walls. But if that look is a little much, you’ll be happy to hear that small doses of lime green can really go a long way. Try adding a few bursts of lime green (like vases or pillows) in a space that is otherwise mostly neutral. Lime green accents seem to be especially effective in a mostly black and white room or in spaces that are primarily cool gray or cool beige.
28. Teal
Deep, marine-inspired colors often make great choices for a bedroom color palette. And few colors are as deep and cool as teal. This rich blue-green goes beautifully with cool whites. This contrast can be too much for some aesthetics, so you can tone down the contrast a little bit by pairing it with soft grays instead. The pictured bedroom does this well. The soft gray bedspread lightens the overall look just enough, while the dark wooden bed frame successfully grounds the look.
You also can use teal to create a focal point in a primarily bright white or gray space. When you place a bed with a teal quilt and sheets in a mostly single-color room, it draws the eye and creates a striking contrast.
29. Bright Pink
Bright pink isn’t an especially common color choice for a bedroom, though it’s often used as a main color in the bedrooms of teenage girls. And while pink can be fairly energizing, the trick is to combine it with plenty of white, pale gray, or pale beige so it doesn’t become overpowering.
You also can adjust the mood of a room by changing how much pink you include. Some rooms only include a pink pillow or two in a mostly neutral color scheme. Others include pink walls but a gray bedspread. And still others incorporate pink throughout. If you do that, try including various shades of pink for a soft, layered look.
30. Slate
Slate is a recognizable color that instantly adds some gravitas to any room. It’s not quite gray and not quite blue, and it’s commonly thought of as a neutral. It also makes a calming backdrop for a bedroom. Since slate’s color mimics a natural material, it tends to look right at home beside wood tones. And if you want your color scheme to really pop, include a few accents of red, orange, yellow, or another warm color.
31. Hunter Green
Hunter green is a deep and dignified shade of green that isn’t quite as dark as forest green. And like many shades of dark green, it does well as an accent wall color. Green walls aren’t for everyone, though, and a hunter green bedspread can still be a great, soothing choice. If you have a fondness for patterns, you might also consider including a pattern of green and white (or green and tan for a more earthy combination). Wallpaper, bedding, and rugs all offer opportunities to include these patterns in your bedroom.
32. Magenta
Magenta is a highly saturated shade of pink that you don’t see too often. In most cases, it’s probably not a good idea to paint large portions of the room this color. However, magenta really shines when used as an accent color. It makes a difference in your room even when used in very small doses. For instance, even including a cluster of magenta flowers in a vase will shift the energy in your bedroom.
Try magenta against a black and white backdrop like the one shown in the photo. It also works with a backdrop of another cool neutral like cool gray or beige. And if you’re hoping to include two accent colors, try small amounts of magenta and yellow! As the picture illustrates, even very small amounts of each will likely help you achieve your goal.
33. Espresso Brown
When you think of dark, espresso-brown furniture (especially leather furniture), you probably picture living room furniture. But as you can see in the example room, it’s still possible to find dark leather beds. Even if you don’t have a leather bed frame, a wooden frame in the same color will still set the tone.
When combined with other darker colors, espresso brown runs the risk of looking a little drab. If you prefer a starker contrast, try pairing it with sunny yellow or even medium blue. Espresso brown is a neutral, so there aren’t many colors it doesn’t go with.
34. Olive Green
You likely know that there are countless colors described as “olive.” Some have more pronounced yellow undertones than others. The pictured bedroom uses a cooler shade of olive, especially on the quilted wall above the headboard. And as you can see, cooler olive shades do well in a palette with other cool-leaning greens. For instance, you can see both emerald and sage green in the palette.
35. Burnt Orange
Burnt orange is a warm, autumnal color. It’s just muted enough to work well in plenty of design settings. You often see burnt orange used for an accent wall or even all the walls in a room, but the pictured room is a great example of how to successfully use it as an accent color. Burnt orange looks good alongside accents of similar colors like golden yellow and cinnamon brown. But to let the palette breathe, be sure to include plenty of white, pale beige, and similar shades. It’s a slightly more colorful take on the Scandinavian-style palette layering that’s recently become more popular.
36. Lavender
Lavender is a beautifully soothing shade of purple. It’s a common choice for bedroom walls and can give you a real sense of peace. Lavender walls work nicely with otherwise pale palettes, but there are plenty of other ways you can work it into your bedroom color scheme, too. Sheer lavender curtains will add a peaceful touch. So will lavender patterned bedspreads and/or rugs.
This shade is commonly seen with white. But if you’re looking for a darker color to add as an accent, you might consider navy blue. This classic shade can work as a grounding influence. It works in small doses, too: try adding just a small rug or accent pillow.
37. Sunny Yellow
Most designers recommend yellow for living rooms, breakfast nooks, or other places where energy is relatively high. However, the right shade of bright yellow works nicely in a bedroom. After all, there’s a reason soft yellow is a common choice for unisex baby nurseries.
Sunny shades of yellow seem gentler when they’re combined with white. They also tend to really pop against black and white patterns or against charcoal gray. For an aesthetic that’s a little more off the beaten path, you can use the strategy shown in the picture: soft yellow walls work as a backdrop, but slightly brighter yellow accents are added throughout the room.
38. Black
You might be surprised to see black on a list of good colors for bedrooms. And while it might be a bit much to go for all-black walls, including large amounts of black in a bedroom can be a great way to cultivate a modern and memorable aesthetic.
The pictured room is a great example of an ultra-modern bedroom. The ultra-modern look isn’t for everyone. So for something less extreme, consider including a rug and/or wallpaper patterned in black and white. This type of look goes well with a black or white bedspread. But since both black and white are neutrals, you also can include a bedspread in just about any color you choose.
39. Vivid Orange
Most designers approach orange, especially very vivid shades of orange, with caution. That’s wise, especially when you’re decorating a bedroom. Orange’s boundless energy might be helpful in other settings, but in a bedroom, it can make it harder to wind down.
That’s why approaches like the one shown in the picture are so successful. The touches of orange on the bed and the frame pop against the largely-neutral palette. But since their energy is contained, the room maintains a relaxing ambiance.
40. Sage Green
Soft, muted versions of several colors have become popular in the design world. And sage green, a soft and earthy hue, just might be the most popular of all. It’s a great choice if you like Scandinavian-style interiors but want something with just a touch more color. Sage is most often seen as a wall color, but it’s sometimes used for furniture, too. It looks great when paired with various shades of beige (especially wood tones) and white. And thanks to its nature-inspired energy, sage also looks especially nice in a room with plenty of green plants.
41. Wood Tones
Speaking of wood tones, these shades are great colors in their own right. Wood flooring and wood paneling can impart a warm energy to your bedroom. But if you aren’t working with either one, you might consider a wooden bed frame with a large headboard like the one shown.
The exact wood tone used can have a dramatic effect on the room’s mood. Weathered wood gives off a rustic vibe. When it’s combined with blue like in the pictured room, it’s reminiscent of driftwood. Darker-stained woods are great for cultivating moody aesthetics, while paler stains create an open, airy feel.
42. Air Force Blue
This unique, almost dusty blue is a classic shade with modern appeal. As you can see in the photo, it’s a nice wall color for a bedroom, especially when included in a matte finish. With a dark wall color like this, it’s a good idea to include a mostly-white bedspread. But the example room does a great job of incorporating a different shade of blue into the palette, too.
Air Force Blue looks great in opulent interiors, but it also does well in more straightforward rooms. Try a blue bedspread and/or rug in a bedroom with white, gray, or pale blue walls.
43. Cocoa Brown
Brown might sound like a dull color choice. However, when it’s paired with the right accents, cocoa brown actually becomes part of a lively color scheme. Bright green and bright blue both look especially intense against cocoa brown. And as the pictured room shows you, even little touches of a brighter color can energize the palette.
That said, too much cocoa brown can make your bedroom look too dull or heavy. For instance, the brown quilt in the photo balances nicely with the pale walls. If the walls were also brown, the look could become suffocating.
44. Cream
Some people lump cream in with warm white. But cream is really its own shade, and it’s great for creating palettes with plenty of vintage charm. And as you can see in the example room, cream is especially suitable for walls with moldings.
This color works well in a gradient palette that goes from soft gray to bright white. But cream also looks good with muted non-neutrals. For instance, a cream-colored bedspread will pair nicely with a sage-colored wall. This color combination will also look great in reverse!
45. Vermilion Red
Vermilion is an especially bright shade of red. So it might sound like the last color you need in your bedroom! But when you use it carefully, vermilion can actually be part of a balanced palette. The key is to limit its use to a focal point (and maybe an accent or two) and make sure calming shades fill most of the remainder of the space. That means vermilion walls will be too much.
The pictured room does this well: the bright red is contained to the bed and one of the wall hangings above it. Warm white makes up most of the remaining palette, and there’s just enough black to round the color scheme.
46. Warm Gray
Some shades of gray have warmer undertones than others. If you’re someone who finds grays to be a little cool, warm shades of gray might be more to your liking. These colors are quite versatile and can be used for walls, curtains, bedspreads, rugs, etc.
Warm grays are right at home in all-neutral and mostly-neutral palettes. It looks especially good combined with other warmer neutrals. Warm beiges and whites are great choices. Warm grays also look great with a high-energy accent color like yellow, red, or orange. Or if you’d like an accent that’s a little quieter, go with navy blue or forest green.
What Is the Best Color for Your Bedroom?
There’s no single best color for your bedroom, but you can choose cooler colors for a soothing atmosphere or warmer colors for a space that feels cozy and welcoming. Creating your own palette by mixing and matching colors can be a lot of fun. Just take your time and make the room your own!
