The Best Bedroom Colours for Sleep

There are several factors that can contribute to improving the quality of our sleep, including a supportive mattress, engaging in a relaxing activity such as reading, and even the colour of your bedroom walls.

Geoff McKinnen, a certified sleep coach, wrote about colour psychology experts' findings and how some colours put us at ease, while others cause us to feel alert. Therefore, the colour of your bedroom is just as important as your choice of mattress.

So, when it comes to achieving a restful night's sleep, certain colours are more effective at eliciting a positive response from our bodies. Can you identify which colours these are? Find out with TEMPUR®.

Best bedroom colours for sleep

According to a study, carried out in 1998 on the chromatics and the science of colour, the “nature of colour is intimately related to light and interactions of light with matter.” They found that our colour receptors in our eyes are not sensitive to distinguish colours at low light levels. Which is why certain colours are better suited for the bedroom than others.

Chromatics and its science can determine how colours can be used to affect our behaviours and moods. For example, if you were to paint your room the colour red, you would feel a surge of adrenaline and an increased heart rate, making you feel anxious and energised. This makes choosing the right colour all the more important, as creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere can greatly benefit the quality of your sleep.

According to the sleep doctor here is a list of colours that promote sleep:

• blue
• green
• white
• beige
• pink

Other colours to help improve your sleep and encouraged by Geoff McKinnen include:

• yellow
• silver

Blue

Blue is associated with resonating a sense of calm, with our brains being more perceptive to the colour blue, all related to receptors in the retinas called ganglion cells. These cells gather visual information and produce chemical signals to the hypothalamus, which produces hormones such as melatonin and cortisol. Blue light boosts melatonin and lowers cortisol levels, as melatonin helps regulate sleep cycles, and cortisol aids alertness during daytime. In a study, carried out by The Travelodge, found that people who slept in a blue room, slept for approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes.

Yellow

Yellow is another effective colour for promoting the onset of sleep. With participants in the same study, averaging on 7 hours and 40 minutes of sleep. The colour yellow can help you wake up to walls that remind you of sunshine. It can also help to promote a soothing feeling, but for this to work effectively you will need to choose the right shade of yellow. If the shade is too bright, it could become too stimulating and have the opposite of the desired effect.

Green

With a colour that helps to remind of nature and its tranquil qualities, it is no surprise that the participants of the study averaged 7 hours and 36 minutes of sleep were surrounded by the colour green. If green is your preferred choice, it is advisable to opt for a muted shade. This can help foster a sense of balance and rejuvenation, ideal for facilitating restful sleep and promoting wakefulness upon rising.

Silver

When choosing a neutral colour, a matte silver shade is recommended as it induces a calming effect unlike darker grey tones, that allows you to feel at peace and drift away to a peaceful slumber. Pairing it with a gentle blue accent wall can further enhance this effect. Participants surrounded by the colour silver averaged 7 hours and 33 minutes of sleep, demonstrating that this colour may have a positive impact on sleep duration.

Worst bedroom colours for sleep

While some colours are proven to put you at ease, other colours should be avoided due to the negative impact they can have on sleep, these include:

• Purple
• Red
• White

Purple

While typically associated with creativity and problem solving, purple’s stimulating nature makes it far from ideal in a bedroom setting, with participants getting an average of 5 hours and 56 minutes of sleep.

Red

This one should not come as a surprise, with it being a fiery and energetic colour. Red can help to increase your blood pressure and fill you with adrenaline.

White

While a popular choice for interior decorating, white may be less than ideal for trying to sleep. Its pristine and beautiful tones can simultaneously create a sterile and cold setting in the bedroom for some sleepers.

Thank you for taking the time to explore our recommendations on the best and worst bedroom colours for a restful night's sleep. With these insights, you can now create an environment that fosters relaxation, comfort, and better health. So why not give it a try and see how a simple change in colour can make a big difference in your sleep quality?