It's Time To Ditch These Dated Bedroom Paint Colors For More Modern Alternatives

Your bedroom: It's a sanctuary, a haven, and a place to add your personal touches and style without worrying about what others think. Bedrooms are your space to be creative and indulge in everything and anything you want to, which is why you can play around with paint colors to find what works for you. While there is no "wrong answer" for the shades you use, it might be time to reconsider certain palettes, as they could be dating your room and even affecting things like sleep and relaxation.

White, grays and blacks, and certain blues and purples may not be your best choices, making it tricky for your mind and body to settle or creating too much of a sterile or intense atmosphere. You don't have to completely ditch these shades (and a few more), but opting for more soothing colors or varying hues in the aforementioned list could give your bedroom the update it needs.

Many colors listed had their rise in popularity at some point. Lavender and light blue have been touted as calming colors for the space where you sleep, and black bedrooms had a big following. But it seems designers are noting that anything too bright, reflective, or dark can actually take away from the soothing atmosphere you are trying to create.

Why not start with one of the "go-to" colors for interior paint, white? It might be surprising to find this on the list, but it also shouldn't make you dash to a hardware store and buy new paint, either. The main reason white may not be the best option for a bedroom is that it can, in certain shades and finishes, be a little too reflective, especially if the room gets a lot of natural light. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it can make relaxing or trying to decompress a bit tricky, as the brightness will make you more awake or alert. 

If you also have a lot of lamps or a big light overhead, these will glare against glossy white finishes and bright, bright white hues. If you do want to use this neutral, opt for a warmer shade that leans into cream or beige, which happens to be considered one of the best bedroom paint colors to create a peaceful environment. 

While this color had its heyday a while ago (gray wood vinyl flooring, gray walls, and gray accents), it's beginning to fade from the interior design circuit as a main color scheme. Gray can put off a sterile vibe or even turn "pink," depending on the shade and undertone. Neither of these offer a particularly easy option for decorating, so while you can opt for colors with gray undertones, don't use it alone as your main wall color. You can swap this palette out for warmer shades within the taupe range that still give a neutral finish without the sterile effect. 

Since the topic of neutrals is at hand, black may not be a color you want for your bedrooms, either. While this dark, dramatic option is making a big statement in living rooms and bathrooms, using it in a place where you sleep can make it seem a little enclosed or heavy. Black also tends to absorb both natural and ambient light, so while in a large open space like a living or dining room, it may add a cozy ambiance, in your bedroom, it might seem stifling.

Blue has been a go-to for bedroom walls for many years due to the serene benefits it can invoke. However, blue may have passed its prime. Much like black, dark blue can be heavy and make a room feel small. If you want to use blue where you sleep, lighter shades with warm undertones lend a calmer atmosphere and are good options for a sleeping space.

Purple seems to be having a big resurgence, but you have to be intentional about which shade you use in the bedroom. Lavender can feel too pastel-based and even a little childish, while too dark of a purple falls into the same problem as using dark blue or black. However, warm purple shades like plum are not only coveted for living and family spaces but can also work in your bedroom, making it feel sophisticated and luxurious. These shades fall under some of the best wall colors for a bedroom, and you can play around with the hues and undertones to suit your preference.

While lighter, warmer shades are ideal, they shouldn't venture into the pastel range. Instead, choose natural and earthy tones and use your pastels for a smaller space like a bathroom rather than a bedroom.