How to choose colours for your bedroom

The soothing, calming tones of Resene French Impressionist Wallpaper Collection FI70202 are complemented with panelling painted in Resene Lustacryl in Resene Atomic.

Thinking about reimagining the colours and ambiance in your bedroom and don’t know where to start? Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey explains how to use Resene wallpaper, colour palettes and paint to create different moods. It’s incredible how much the power of colour and all its nuances can impact the ambiance of a room, so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.

In the mood

When choosing a colour palette for your bedroom, consider not only your decorating style but also what mood you want to create. Understanding how paint colours affect your moods can help you choose a palette that will enable you to turn your bedroom into a wellbeing haven to promote peaceful sleep. Bedrooms can quite often have a secondary purpose apart from being used for sleeping – ask yourself, “How do I want to feel?” And then, “What role is my bedroom playing?” The answers to these questions will help you figure out the overall feeling you want the room to evoke.

Colour psychology

It’s a good idea to think about the colour psychology of each hue when looking at colour palettes for bedrooms. Quite often people just choose a colour they like, and while it’s great to choose your favourite colour for your personal space, colours have distinctive associations which can stir particular emotions and moods. The warmth radiated by hues such as red and orange is frequently linked to energy, passion and excitement, whereas the cooler tones of blue and green instil a sense of tranquillity and relaxation.

Mix and match

You can alter the mood of a colour by putting other colours with it. For example, a bedroom on the cool side of your home drenched in pale blue might feel a bit cool and open, which can induce depressive emotions for some. The addition of complementary colours, such as a pop of terracotta for accessories, will provide warmth and soften the cool tones. Play with proportions to see how much the mood of the blue changes in the room. Pale blues like Resene Half Spindle or Resene Comfortably Numb pair well with warm earthy tones like Resene Tuscany or Resene Dawn Glow.

This loft bedroom was transformed into a cosy cave-like nook, with the wall and ceiling painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Carpe Noctem and the mid-century furniture and timber beams stained with Resene Colorwood English Walnut.

The dark, cosy look of this bedroom is a nod to the American farmhouse style and Hamptons heritage detailing of this impressive barn renovation. Walls and ceiling painted in Resene Ironsand, wainscoting in Resene Double Sea Fog and French doors and balcony balustrades in Resene Black White. Image by Courtney & Co.

Deep sleep

Deeper, cooler shades for your bedroom walls can create the illusion of warmth and intimacy and can help with sleep. Opt for darker shades which have complex undertones and a brightness to them (without appearing too bright), such as Resene Rolling Hills or Resene Epic – these shades tend to have a vibe of positivity amongst their depths. Continue your colour from your ceiling onto your wall to create a cosy cocoon of colour that will have you feeling snug in no time.

Setting the sheen

The effect of colour can be further manipulated with your paint finish – lower sheen paints such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Flat create a warmer feel, while higher sheen levels are more reflective, therefore attracting more attention.

Paper power

If the colour scheme of a room is quite plain and soft, a Resene wallpaper can be the perfect way to add a touch of colour – even just a feature wall can give your bedroom a lot of personality. If you choose to cover your master bedroom with a wallpaper in a bold colour or pattern, it’s best to go for neutral tones on the rest of the elements to keep a sense of calm. Or you can choose a simple, light-toned wallpaper for three walls and paint the remaining wall in a more intense tone. Keep in mind that the balance between the paint and wallpaper will affect the mood of the room, not just the aesthetic.

To get more bedroom inspiration pick up a copy of the free habitat plus – bedrooms book at your local Resene ColorShop or view a copy online.

The bold paint and paper combo in this children’s bedroom gives it individuality, energy and presence. Walls in hand-printed Resene Mason Cydon Wallpaper Collection in the colours Resene Gecko and Resene Half Halcyon, trims and concrete floor in Resene Destiny, shelves in Resene Half Halcyon and bed, desk and chair in Resene Wanaka.

In this ‘grown up girly’ bedroom, Resene Wallpaper Collection 220185 was used on the walls, and the colours for the rest of the room were chosen to bring out the tones in the wallpaper pattern. Panel wall and shelves in Resene Solitaire, chair, bed and barn door in Resene Lynchpin and concrete floor in Resene Ghost.