Photography: Hannah Puechmarin
Plain neutrals aren’t the only path to a restful bedroom retreat. From the enveloping effect of colour drenching to the depth created by patterned accents, bold bedroom colour schemes can result in a personalised bedroom that delights and de-stresses. We asked two design experts to share their top tips for creating a colourful comfort zone that puts you at ease, whether you’re reddy or not.
Bedroom colour scheme tip #1: Start small
Scared of bedroom colour scheme commitment? Lloyd Hodgkinson, decorator and founder of Oliver Mark Interiors, suggests starting with small accents and easing into it. “Bedding is one of the most cost-effective and low-commitment ways to introduce colour,” he says.
From there, gradually build upon your palette, “adding cushions, throws and eventually larger pieces like upholstered furniture or window treatments”.
Bedroom colour scheme tip #2: Use colour psychology
Have you ever noticed your pulse race in a bright red room? Or felt instantly at ease in soft green spaces? That’s colour psychology at work, evoking emotion and moulding our moods. In the bedroom, this field of study can lead to better-quality rest and relaxation. Decorator Lauren Egan believes earthy undertones are key to serenity: “If you love yellow, head towards straw colours; for green and blues, make them really murky and avoid those bright tones.”
Lloyd offers a counterpoint: “Any colour can work if it’s handled well. It really comes down to selecting the right shade and ensuring it sits comfortably within your overall scheme,” he says.
The two agree that tonal schemes, where a single colour is used in varying shades, are a sure-fire way to create soothing cohesion. Meanwhile, a skilful pairing of contrasting colours can imbue your space with personality. “Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re comfortable with – there’s no need to hold back if you’re drawn to it,” says Lloyd.
Bedroom colour scheme tip #3: Try colour drenching
Due to their large surface area, wall, floor and ceiling finishes shape a bedroom’s ambience. Our experts agree that colour drenching can quickly transform any sleep zone into an enveloping, cocooning sanctuary. “It creates a seamless look and tends to make the room feel bigger,” says Lauren, who suggests low-sheen or eggshell paint finishes to bounce soft light around the room.
“I’m loving earthy clay at the moment. It creates a gentle backdrop for so many other tones and textures.” – Lauren Egan
If bold wallpaper is in play, Lloyd recommends taking a balanced approach. “I tend to keep the rest of the scheme more restrained, using a mix of plains and smaller-scale patterns, so the space doesn’t overwhelm,” he explains. He believes mixed patterns bring a scheme to life. “A stripe against a floral, or a check paired with an ikat – those contrasts are where the magic happens,” he says. To ensure a pleasing marriage of patterns, he recommends selecting different prints from the same colour family.
Bedroom colour scheme tip #4: Don’t forget decor
Upholstered furniture and statement pieces, such as rugs, window dressings and wall art, can add a paintbrush-free injection of colour and pattern. The question then becomes, how do you keep the curation calm and not chaotic? “You need to be aware of how many focal points there are in the room,” answers Lauren.
What is your eye first drawn to in the space? Too many hero items competing for your attention will create a cluttered look and feel. Lloyd often makes a patterned headboard the star of the scheme, carrying the fabric’s colours through other design elements. Going too ‘matchy-matchy’ can flatten a space, while a splash of contrast adds depth and character.
And don’t forget negative space! “If you’re using pattern on the walls, aim for a simple tonal bed linen,” says Lauren. After all, your eyes need a place to rest, just like your body.
Bedroom colour scheme tip #5: Try a tonal scheme
Tonal schemes are soothing, but try to incorporate pattern for essential contrast. If the walls of your bedroom are finished in a single block colour, then introduce pattern through your fabrics. As Lloyd explains, “This allows the bedlinen and soft furnishings to carry that layer of interest instead.”
To elevate any tonal scheme, Lauren suggests layering the hero hue you’re championing in different textures.
Bedroom colour scheme tip #6: Be mindful of lighting
Layered bedroom lighting schemes include natural daylight, bedside lamps and overhead ambient lighting. The intensity and coverage of these different light sources can affect the appearance of colours, so it’s always best to test paint samples on multiple walls, observing them at different times of day and under artificial light. Be mindful that the colour temperature of light bulbs also influences how warm or cool a shade appears.
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