What is the best paint color for a bedroom? Here, we turn to ten pros for trending bedroom paint colors and tips on how to design a bedroom optimized for rest and recharging. Whether you lean toward zen bedrooms or prefer bold color rooms, these takeaways will help you create a deeply personal space to escape the day and find solitude.
“Benjamin Moore’s Marmalade looks great framed with crisp white moldings and grounded by polished mahogany doors, as in this guest room” says New York designer Jamie Drake. (Photo: Joshua McHugh)
Brighten up.
“Warm, yet invigorating, Benjamin Moore’s Marmalade is a yummy choice—like biting into a juicy, freshly peeled clementine.”
—Jamie Drake, Drake/Anderson | New York City
“This dark and dreamy envelope can lull anyone into peace and solitude,” Los Angeles designer John McClain says of this bedroom coated in Sherwin Williams’ Grizzle Gray. (Photo: Emily Followill)
Create coziness.
“Bedrooms should emote a calming, intimate enclosure and should, therefore, be swathed in a warmer or deeper tone than the rest of the home.”
—John McClain, John McClain Design | Los Angeles and Orlando
Los Angeles designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard chose a warm rose for the walls of this bedroom. “Pink is one of the most flattering colors to be surrounded by,” he observes. “It makes us look good and feel good.” (Photo: Douglas Friedman)
Embrace the power of pink.
“The trend of pink has been strong and many were predicting it was over, but I don’t think that’s the case. I love a Moroccan desert rose color mixed with pale grays, black highlights and pops of yellow. Chic, unexpected and timeless.”
—Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Martyn Lawrence Bullard Los Angeles
To create an intimate setting in this small bedroom, Chicago designer Sarah Montgomery chose Benjamin Moore’s Caldwell Green. (Photo: Margaret Rajic)
Lean into petite spaces.
“I like to go dark in a small room; painting it light won’t make it feel bigger. Embrace the coziness.”
—Sarah Montgomery, Sarah Montgomery Design | Chicago
Andrea Schumacher looked to Sherwin Williams Armadillo to transform this bedroom into an enveloping sanctuary. (Photo: Roger Davies)
Instill tranquility.
“A hint of purple makes rooms soothing while at the same time being warm. A soft but deep color looks good on everyone, no matter the time of day.”
—Andrea Schumacher, Andrea Schumacher Interiors | Denver
A striking millwork design, painted in Sherwin Williams’ Bracing Blue, serves as a focal point in a bedroom by builder Divco and designers Glenn Mident and Morgan Bratcher. The plush bedding is by Eastern Accent and the sconce is by Visual Comfort. (Photo: Venjhamin Reyes Photography)
Beckon the blues.
“Whether it’s a guest bedroom or primary suite, an ombre of blue paired with a soft white turns any room into its own oasis.”
—Design West | Naples, Florida
Chicago designer Sarah Vaile created a calming environment in this bedroom by painting the walls in a white with gray undertones. (Photo: Aimee Mazzenga)
Stick to the classics.
“There is something to be said for a soothing palette. Gray, white and lavender will never fail you in a bedroom.”
—Sarah Vaile, Sarah Vaile Interior Design | Chicago
Using Benjamin Moore’s Wind’s Breath as a neutral backdrop, Hudson, New York, designer Nicole Fisher then added layers of interest with stripes and patterns. (Photo: John Gruen)
Use subtlety to make an impact.
“I love a creamy neutral that creates the perfect, warm backdrop.”
—Nicole Fisher, BNR Interiors | Hudson, New York
Susie Novak’s go-to colors for bedrooms are Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, Wickham Grey (shown) or Newburyport Blue. (Photo: Thomas Kuob)
Create a statement sanctuary.
“Go white, gray or deep navy for bedrooms. I love a moody or soothing feel for a snooze. We are all so stressed, running around all day long. Alternatively, black is powerful—and makes super statement—but can be a fun, bold way to mix it up.”
—Susie Novak, Susie Novak Interiors | Oakland, California
“Blue and white is a classic and versatile color palette,” says Naples, Florida, designer Sandra Asdourian. “It can be contemporary, traditional or coastal.”
Look to the sky and the sea.
“I love a blue primary bedroom. Adding color to your sleeping quarters creates a timeless design.”
—Sandra Asdourian, Sandra Asdourian Interiors | Naples, Florida
