Sweet dreams! Calming bedroom colour schemes in neutral tones (that aren’t white)

One of the questions I often get asked by my readers is how to choose a stylish, neutral colour scheme for their bedroom without going pure white.  White rooms can be stunning but are difficult to maintain especially if you have kids and furry friends!  The good news is that choosing a bedroom colour scheme in neutral tones doesn’t begin and end with white.  There are so many beautiful neutral shades out there that you can use to create a dreamy and calm bedroom that’s also super stylish, so read on for some inspiring ideas.

We all know that our bedrooms should be a relaxing space where you can escape from the noise, stimuli and busy-ness of everyday life. Retreating to a calm, distraction and clutter free bedroom at night is something we can all achieve. One of the best ways of creating a calm bedroom is by going for a neutral colour scheme using paint and furnishings. Neutral doesn’t mean only white and it certainly doesn’t mean boring as you can see from the stunning bedrooms pictured here.  In my experience, bright colours in a bedroom can become overwhelming pretty quickly and can make it difficult to switch off at night.

Before you choose a (non-white) bedroom colour scheme in neutral tones, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Test it!
Always buy tester pots of the paints you like and test them out on your bedroom walls.  Paint cards and online paint samples can look so different than they do on your walls. More than that, the light conditions in your room will also impact the colour.  My recommendation is to test out each paint colour on all the walls in your bedroom as shades can vary within a room too.  Colours can look darker on corners and lighter next to windows.  Spend a few days looking at the tester patches on your walls at various times of the day before you decide on your final colour.

Check the underlying tones
Not all greys are equal.  Neither are all browns or greens or any paint colour for that matter.  There is a reason why there are a gazillion shades of grey paint out there because they all have underlying tones.  For instance, grey paint can have green, blue, pink, or even purple undertones, to name a few.  Broadly speaking, neutrals will have cool or warm undertones so it’s important that the undertones work with your furniture/furnishings and your overall look.  That’s not to say you can’t mix warmer and cooler tones but it’s worth knowing. Testing out the paints should help discover any undertones but you can also ask at your paint store and specifically request your chosen paint colour with a specific undertone.

Think about the mood you want to create
Dark and moody?  Light and bright? Earthy and natural? Romantic minimalism?  Even with a neutral colour scheme, you have so much choice in what mood you create.  My personal preference is for a dark and moody room as I love the cosy warmth that it creates but it’s not for everyone.  So think about what kind of mood and tone you want for your bedroom as paint colours go a long way to creating this.  The colour palettes I’ve shared below will hopefully inspire you.  Remember, if in doubt always opt for light neutrals for your walls and use accessories like rugs, pillows, artwork and other furnishings to add colour and texture.

Use the space to help guide the wall colours
It’s important to take in to consideration the size, the lighting conditions, the shape and space of your bedroom.  If you’ve got a narrow bedroom with little natural light, going for very dark walls may not be the best idea. But if you love dark bedrooms, you could consider creating one feature wall or you could go for light walls and compliment with dark furnishings.  If you’ve got a small bedroom, you could pick one colour and paint the trims, walls and ceilings in that one colour even if it’s a darkish neutral.  The one colour effect makes a space look bigger and adds a sense of calm. If on the other hand you have a massive room (lucky you!), dark walls can help the room look cosier and more intimate.  If you love natural light but don’t get enough in your bedroom, light walls are your best bet.

Don’t forget to take your furniture in to account
Unless you’re decorating your bedroom from scratch, consider the colours and styles of the big pieces of furniture and furnishings you already have.  If your furniture isn’t quite neutral enough to work with your new look room, then consider painting some of it to create a more harmonious look. You could also  use throws, cushions and blankets to create a more harmonious look.

Less is more
Even with neutrals, less is more. I wouldn’t recommend throwing together too many shades as that can end up looking busy.  Pick a main colour according to the mood and look you are creating and then add smaller accents in 2-3 other complimentary colours.  In addition, white and black can almost always be added in to the mix as they go with pretty much everything.

Here are some more bedroom colour schemes in neutral tones that are truly stunning:

So whether you go for a light, medium toned or dark bedroom look, you can create a stunning and calming bedroom which is anything but boring.  All these bedrooms look so inviting and peaceful.  I’m especially loving the one with the grey-green walls and the blush accents.

Which of these bedroom colour schemes do you like the most? Are you tempted to re-decorate?

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