by Laura Lee Winger

Created on: August 18, 2010

While other places in the home are used for entertaining or are general, multi-purpose rooms, your bedroom is your room.  It's personal, and it's where you want to rest and relax.  So the paint colors you choose for your bedroom should fit your needs and desires. 

The Meaning of Color
If you don't have a specific color in mind, perhaps you have a mood in mind.  Bedrooms can be a place of relaxation, a welcoming paradise, a place to get away from the day's stresses, or, really, anything you want it to be.  And there are specific color palettes that cause those moods.  Namely, cool colors are calming - good for a relaxing bedroom, especially mixed with gray; warm colors are exciting - and although they are usually not used in adult bedrooms, they could be used for a tropical paradise feel; neutral colors are unifying - they can take you away from the world's stresses; and mixed colors (like lavender and turquoise) are colors of intrigue, they have both exciting and calming effects.  I recommend this website to explore color meanings:

http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism.htm

Choosing the Right Shade
Unlike many rooms of the home, a bedroom doesn't have to be bright, cheery, and welcoming.  Dark colors work well for bedrooms because they don't reflect light.  That doesn't mean you want to sleep in a dungeon, however.  Choosing the right shade depends on how much natural and artificial light is in the room and how big the room is.  There can be a bit of a balancing act between going too dark and being a little bold with your color choice.  Be sure to get swatches from the paint store and view them in the light of the actual room to be painted to get a feel for what the right shade is. 

Choosing Additional Colors
Second and third colors can be brought into the space in numerous ways and can really intensify and balance the main color.  Window sills, for example, can be painted a different color than the main wall color.  Ceilings and floor color also should be considered - dark wall colors can be balanced with light floor and ceiling colors.  In addition, bedrooms have some unique features, namely, large beds, that can contrast or blend with the wall color, depending on your choices.  Headboards, too, in some cases can be accent colors. 

Use Your Neutrals Wisely
Many people think they are playing it safe by choosing all neutrals, but I would argue that all neutral colors is boring.  So try to choose at least one color that is not black, white, gray, beige or brown.  Once you've chosen your main color, don't paint everything in site with shades of that color.  Instead, use neutral colors to balance the color choices you've made.  For example, if you use a dark shade of a cool color on your walls, use white or gray to contrast.  On the flip side, if you are using a lighter color, like lavender, consider balancing it with black accents.  Also note that neutrals can be mixed - that's why they are called neutrals.  Don't be afraid of using black and brown together, or beige and gray. 

Whether you want a place of relaxation or a tropical getaway feel in your bedroom, you can make it your own by using color.  Choosing the right color and accent colors is essential for making it work together.

Learn more about this author, Laura Lee Winger.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.