When asked to describe the ideal ambience of their master bedroom, respondents in a recent Houzz survey cited calming, cozy and intimate/romantic as their top three picks. One of the easiest ways to achieve these desired qualities is through the use of color. This week, we’ll focus on a handful of colors that can bring a calming vibe to your retreat. Then stay tuned for follow-up pieces on using color to achieve a cozy and a romantic space.
For a relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom, look to cooler hues — shades of gray, blue, green and purple — to lend a hand. These colors have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. They can also make a space seem more expansive, so they’re a great choice if your bedroom is on the small side.
1. Dark gray-blue. Of course, soothing needn’t equal boring. One of my favorite colors for bedroom walls is a dark gray-blue. It’s dramatic but still retains a calm, cool and collected vibe. If you have concerns about introducing such a deep color to your room, think about how you can break it up with a large piece of artwork or decorative headboard.
To help bounce light around a room that has dark gray-blue walls, inject plenty of white elements and perhaps go for a classic bright white ceiling. One of the best ways to warm up a cool color palette is to include warm-hued materials such as wood plus natural fibers like sisal, sea grass and jute.
Dark gray-blue paint colors to try: Magnet Dapple from Valspar or Granite Peak from Sherwin-Williams
2. Soft gray. For a lighter option, consider soft gray. Rooms with pure white walls and ceilings can sometimes have a cold and stark feeling. By adding a bit of gray tint to one or the other, you still get a light and bright space, but the slight contrast between the gray and the white gives a more finished and less institutional look.
This bedroom could easily pass for a high-end hotel room. The soft gray wall color is the perfect background to the darker gray elements. Even though this space is chock-full of cool hues, it doesn’t feel impersonal.
Soft gray paint colors to try: Subtle Touch from Behr or Aluminum Sky from Kelly-Moore
3. Icy blue. In the quest for colors that soothe and relax, I always recommend turning to nature for inspiration. One such hue is the color of the sky on a crisp, clear day. This is one of my favorite bedroom shades for folks who want something a little more colorful than gray but don’t want anything too dark. Look for a light blue with just a hint of gray to avoid a pastel baby blue that’s more appropriate for a nursery.
Because of the touch of gray, icy blue can serve as a neutral in your palette, so you can pair it with almost any other color you like. If your goal is to create a restful feeling in the space, combine the hue with other neutrals such as chocolate brown or warm grays and taupes, as shown here.
4. Soft neutral green. Think sage, celery or a light pistachio hue. These are also colors taken from nature, and being surrounded by them while inside your home can elicit feelings of serenity and contentment. What I like about these greens is that you can go with a barely there whisper of color, and it still feels grounded and elegant and not at all pastel. Again, the trick is to find a green that has a good bit of gray in it.
While the previous soft neutral green has warm undertones, this one is a bit cooler. Both look wonderful with medium to dark woods.
Soft neutral green paint colors to try:
White Sage from PPG Pittsburgh Paints or Gray Wisp from Benjamin Moore
White Sage from PPG Pittsburgh Paints or Gray Wisp from Benjamin Moore
5. Lavender. This isn’t your teenager’s purple bedroom. A muted lavender wall color is a sophisticated option for a master bedroom. Purple hues are thought to be stress-reducing, so this super soft one is sure to lend a calming aura. It’s definitely a chilly hue, though, so think about how you can counter that coolness with warm wood floors or a warm-hued carpet.
To ensure a grown-up atmosphere, try pairing lavender with dark grays and blacks. It also sings when partnered with silver tones, as shown here.
