10 Calming Bedroom Colors Designers Love
Your bedroom should be the most restful room in your home. Color psychology research consistently shows that soft, muted tones — particularly blues, greens, and warm neutrals — promote relaxation and better sleep. Here are 10 designer-approved picks.
Soft Blues
Blue is the most universally calming color. Studies show people in blue rooms fall asleep faster and report feeling more rested. The key is choosing muted, desaturated blues rather than bright or electric ones.
Quiet Moments(Benjamin Moore) — a blue-green-gray that shifts beautifully with light throughout the day. It's calm without being cold.
Silver Mist(Benjamin Moore) — a silvery blue-gray that feels like morning fog. Browse more in the blue family.
Sleepy Blue(Sherwin-Williams) — the name says it all. A powder blue with gray undertones that's genuinely soothing.
Muted Greens
Green connects us to nature, and muted sage tones have become incredibly popular for bedrooms. They pair beautifully with natural wood furniture and linen textiles.
Saybrook Sage(Benjamin Moore) — a warm, dusty sage that's serene without feeling sterile.
Softened Green(Sherwin-Williams) — an incredibly gentle green-gray that reads almost neutral. See the full green color family.
Warm Neutrals
If you prefer neutrals but want to avoid the “cold gray bedroom” trap, warm undertones are essential. These colors create a cocoon-like feeling.
Edgecomb Gray(Benjamin Moore) — a warm greige that feels like cashmere. One of the most popular bedroom neutrals.
Shoji White(Sherwin-Williams) — a warm, creamy white with yellow-beige undertones that glows in evening light.
Balboa Mist(Benjamin Moore) — another BM best-seller that splits the difference between gray and beige.
Soft Lavender
Lavender has natural associations with relaxation (think lavender essential oil), and very muted purples can be surprisingly calming.
Silver Peony(Benjamin Moore) — not quite purple, not quite gray. A subtle, sophisticated choice for a serene bedroom.
Tips for Bedroom Colors
Keep the ceiling white or very light to maintain a sense of openness. Paint your largest wall as a test before committing to the whole room. And consider the color of your bedding — a soft blue wall with warm white linens is a classic combination that never fails. Read our guide on understanding undertones to avoid surprises.