The colours you use in a bedroom can make a huge difference in whether it feels airy and open or dark and cloistering. Using cool colours, such as white and pale blue can make any room seem larger. Just as using neutral tones does. In order to make a room seem bigger, you need to first address the colour of the walls.
If you live in a rental, the good news is that they're probably already painted in a room expanding colour, white. If you have your own home and have darker, warmer colours on for the walls and ceiling, it may be time to change to create a more open feeling.
Warm colours and room size
Warm colours are cosy and yet they can make a room feel smaller, particularly brighter warm colours. They include colours with a base of yellow, orange and red. Blue, white, grey and green are cool colours. These tend to expand a room and make it feel larger. You can create an illusion of space by using cooler colours on the walls and floor to expand your space. That, however, does not mean you'll have to decorate with strictly green or blue or keep only neutral tones in the room.
Decorate it with accent pieces, including your bedding, and stick with lighter shades such as neutral tones, particularly for quilted bed covers or duvet covers. You can have a pattern, but keep it small and muted. Drawing attention to your bed with bright colours dwarfs the rest of the room.
Blending the bedding with the wall is one way to add to the illusion of space. If you want some brighter colours, consider using accent cushion and small decorative items to bring in the colour. Duvet covers with a muted soft small pattern work far better to add a more spacious feeling than those with a larger brighter pattern.
Stripes and size perception
Stripes make a room seem larger. Use vertical or horizontal stripes to make the room seem longer or wider. If you want it to look wider, the stripes should go across the width of the room. For a longer appearance a duvet cover with the stripes going up and down. You can get the same effect and use them more sparingly by adding a striped bed runner at the end of the bed to accent a plain duvet cover.
You don't have to use only blues, greens and grey to make the room spacious, a mix of light pastels adds softness and still maintain a roomier feel. Stick with paler pastel shades for bedspreads and duvet covers and use a monochromatic scheme for accents, pillowcases and sheets.
For instance, a pale lavender duvet cover would look stunning with a rich deeper purple tone for pillow cases. Purple is the compromise that blends the warmth of red and the cool tones of blue, just as green is the blend between yellow and blue.
FAQs
Blue, white, grey and green are cool colours. These tend to expand a room and make it feel larger.
What color sheets make a room look bigger? ›
Therefore, lighter-colored bedding, such as white or light neutrals, can make a bedroom look bigger,' says Julio Arco, interior designer of Bark and Chase.
Does bedding color matter? ›
Absolutely. The colour of your bedding can create a soothing and sleep-friendly environment. Soft, muted tones or cool colours can promote a sense of calmness and relaxation, helping you to fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful sleep.
What comforter makes a room look bigger? ›
Choose light to medium tones of cool colors such as blue, green, purple, or grey to visually expand your room. For instance, this all-season classic plush down alternative comforter comes in many light tones totally suited for a small bedroom.
What is the happiest color for a bedroom? ›
Yellow, blue, green and lilac bedroom colour schemes often invoke happiness and joy. Here, we explore why and what you can do to make your bedroom a more joyful space.
What is the best color for a small bedroom? ›
Earth tones and neutrals are a frequent choice for small bedrooms. If you prefer softer shades, grey, green or yellow can lighten a small room. Neutral shades can make the wall visually recede into the background, making the room appear larger and bringing more attention to the accessories in the room.
What color should not be used in a bedroom? ›
Avoid bright blue, greens, pinks, oranges, and yellows and instead opt for muted pastel versions of the color, as these will work to encourage sleep. Easy rule of thumb: the brighter the hue the worst for sleep, the softer the hue the better a calming bedroom paint idea.
Do all bedrooms need to be the same color? ›
While some prefer a unique color scheme for each space, creating a cohesive palette that stretches across rooms can help give your home a more intentional look. Linking rooms with color can also encourage better flow between spaces that are separated by closing doors.
What color sheets look the least dirty? ›
Gray sheets can conceal a wide range of stains, including marks left by dirt and sweat. Dark tones and printed sheets offer do-it-all camouflage to hide a cornucopia of stains.
Why are hotel comforters so nice? ›
In most cases, luxury hotel comforters have higher thread counts than those found in other facilities. So they're usually softer to the touch. Additionally, high-end hotels are more likely to purchase brand-name bedding rather than pieces that have been mass produced.
What Colors Make a Room Look Bigger? “Airy blues and crisp white hues are ideal for small spaces,” says Molly Lynch, a Benjamin Moore color expert. “Blues recede, which can give the illusion of opening up a space,” she explains.
What bed is best for small bedroom? ›
Twin beds are popular for small living spaces due to their compact size and versatility. They measure 38 inches wide by 75 inches long, making them ideal for small guest bedrooms, children's rooms and tight spaces.
What color bedding is most relaxing? ›
One of the best bedroom colors is blue because it's associated with calm and relaxation. Blue is often considered a non-stimulating color, which can help with sleep quality.
What is a neutral color for a small bedroom? ›
Light neutral shades of gray, taupe, beige, or greige can stand in for white while adding a hint of color or warmth. Pale yellows, blues, greens, and even pinks can effectively function as neutrals in a small space that adds a whisper of color for those who find white walls too boring or sterile.
