Does sleep often allude you at night? Do you often wake up not feeling refreshed in the morning? A possible culprit might be the color of your bedroom.
Though to some it might seem a bit strange, the connection between color choice and sleep quality has been scientifically demonstrated.
In this entry, we’d like to familiarize you with this topic.
Colors influence our mood in general
Almost no one disputes that colors and light have a direct effect on our body and mind, and thus on our well-being in general. Colours can provoke mood changes and influence a room’s atmosphere.
There are stimulating colours and shades that have a more pacifying effect. Many colours energize us and make us more productive, while others inspire creativity or calm us down.
The choice of our bedroom’s colour – more important than you think!
Of course, this all applies to our bedrooms. But why is the colour of our bedroom so important? Many people have a hard time falling asleep in full light. The bright light is disturbing and seems unnatural. The same is the case with the colours of our bedroom. Loud and glaring colours can make it harder for us to relax. This is also true for colour overloading, the term used when there are too many colours and visual stimulations in a certain environment. A potpourri mix of colours and a high number of visual stimulations excite us, instead of getting us into the right frame of mind for sleep.
Naturally, the question arises as to which colours are the best fit for our bedroom.
The principles of colour theory
In order to answer this question, we must take a quick look at what is known as colour theory.
As a general rule, bright colours make a space seem larger. They give off an inviting feeling and are best suited for smaller rooms, in order to make them appear larger than they actually are.
In contrast, darker colours give a grimmer and confining impression, by means of which they make a room seem smaller. On the other hand, it is exactly this impression which can make us feel protected and safe – it is though one were hiding in a secret cave. That said, these types of colours are a better choice for larger and lighter rooms, especially.
Warm colours are traditionally associated with day light or sunset and create a comfortable and warm ambience. At the same time, they can also have a stimulating and energizing effect. Rooms with warm colors seem warmer than they actually are. This can be counterproductive, if you are trying to sleep. Warm colours are considered to be any shade from red to yellow; this is generally said to include brown and tan.
Cold colors are those associated with a cloudy and overcast day. They evoke feelings of distance, objectivity and a touch of formality. They also have a calming and relaxing effect. In contrast to warm colours, they make a room seem cooler than it really is.
Hues from blue green to blue violet are classified as cooler colours.
Cold colors are especially suited for bedrooms
A brief review of the aforementioned theory can lead us to the conclusion that cold, or at least cooler colours are the best choice for a bedroom, as these put us in the mood to relax, instead of revving us up. These colours seem refreshing, but don’t overload the senses.
So, if you had Mediterranean orange, a neon pink or a cheery yellow in mind for your bedroom, you might want to reconsider. These colours are great for other parts of your home, but are much too lively and energizing for a bedroom.
Ways to introduce the right colour to your bedroom
If you have found a cooler colour which agrees with you, like a blue or purple shade, the question arises of how to bring this colour into your bedroom. A drastic change in one’s bedroom isn’t for everyone; for many people, it’s not even necessary. Our advice in this type of case is to add decorative items in your desired colour to your bedroom, such as: covers, bedspreads, pillows or cushions, pictures and picture frames, rugs, vases and other decorations...
Summary:
Every colour has an effect on our psyche and our body. The special wavelengths and energies of the colour spectrum touch our bodies and stimulate our minds. It is therefore advisable to pick the right colour for your bedroom, which brings harmony to your mind and body and contributes to a restful and restorative night’s sleep.