How to Create the Perfect Bedroom for Sleep

If you struggle to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night, or you’re waking in the morning feeling like your head has only just hit the pillow, you might be interested to learn that the color scheme of your bedroom could be a contributing factor. To keep our brains and bodies healthy and functioning, we need to get enough sleep on a regular basis. If we deprive ourselves of the time when our body is repairing and processing all that it has been through during the day, we can put ourselves at higher risk of a range of mental and physical illnesses.

When redecorating your bedroom, remember to consider the effect your color choices could have on your quality of sleep. Here are some tips to help you create the perfect bedroom for rest.  

Which Colors Are Best for Sleep?

A UK hotel company, Travelodge, asked 2,000 people what color their bedroom had been painted, how many hours they tended to sleep for each night and the quality of the sleep,  i.e., how refreshed they felt. The survey showed that specific colors appear to positively or negatively impact on our sleeping habits.

Best Bedroom Colors

The survey found that blue was the best color for relaxation and sleep. The reason for this is that the cells in our retinas are more sensitive to blue than other colors. When they see blue, these cells send a message of safety and calm to your brain which lowers your heart rate. In addition to longer periods of sleep, 60% of the people with blue bedrooms reported that they regularly felt happy when waking up. Other colors which seem to have a link with improved sleep quality are:

• • Yellow
  • Green
  • Silver
  • Orange

Worst Bedroom Colors

The same survey found that purple bedrooms seem to be the worst when it comes to getting a good night’s rest. Purple is a color associated with enhancing our creativity and thought processes which may mean we find it harder to shut our brains down. Other colors linked to poor sleep include:

• Gray
• Brown
• Red

Bright colors are best avoided in bedroom décor (including ornaments and wall art) as they will keep our brains active and alert when we should be relaxing. It’s also a good idea to minimize the number of colors in your bedroom and avoid contrasting colors which will stimulate your eyes. Pastel shades and earthy tones are ideal when trying to create a calm place of safety.

If you’re redecorating your bedroom and would like some professional advice on the types and colors of paint to use, browse online. Some companies, such as Rocky Mountain Exteriors specialize in both interior and exterior painting, and this is one of the most reputable painting companies in their area. Visit the website for more ideas.  

Best Bedroom Lighting for Sleep

It’s not just the color of the walls which affects our sleep quality as it seems even the color of the lighting needs consideration. Consider installing red bulbs which emit red wavelengths of light have been shown to best the most successful at inducing sleep.

If red bulbs don’t sound appealing to you, try to use soft, warm and dim lighting to help your senses to relax and create a cozy haven for rest. For example, halogen, incandescent, compact fluorescent, and LEDs are recommended by sleep.org.