8 Neutral Colour Palettes for a Blissful, Cosy Bedroom
Peaceful plum, relaxing black and many shades of grey show an unpredictably neutral nature in the bedroom
A design instructor of mine once claimed that commercial interiors are so often painted beige because it is the colour that best masks grimy smudges from people’s hands. Yuck! I think I’ve been anti-beige since that very moment. But I do realise that not everyone likes super colourful interiors. And in fact, bold hues can sometimes distract from other elements in a room, such as interesting materials, textures, furnishings and fixtures. But going neutral does not automatically have to mean white or beige.
Check out these stylish bedrooms with palettes that are predominantly neutral, along with sample colour and material palettes inspired by each bedroom. Some have a few chunks of colour thrown in, but the neutral hues can definitely stand on their own.
Check out these stylish bedrooms with palettes that are predominantly neutral, along with sample colour and material palettes inspired by each bedroom. Some have a few chunks of colour thrown in, but the neutral hues can definitely stand on their own.
Not quite white
Paint your walls a nice off-white shade that’s not too beige and not too grey, and you have the perfect backdrop for adding whatever additional colour you want. Colourful bedding and accessories are easy to change, giving you flexibility.
Here’s how to choose between white and cream walls
Paint your walls a nice off-white shade that’s not too beige and not too grey, and you have the perfect backdrop for adding whatever additional colour you want. Colourful bedding and accessories are easy to change, giving you flexibility.
Here’s how to choose between white and cream walls
Dark neutral
Purple is perfect in a bedroom, as it is thought to be a calming, de-stressing colour. This cool, dark purple almost reads as black, making it work as a neutral. Keep the bedding simple and light, and you have a rich, sophisticated room.
Purple is perfect in a bedroom, as it is thought to be a calming, de-stressing colour. This cool, dark purple almost reads as black, making it work as a neutral. Keep the bedding simple and light, and you have a rich, sophisticated room.
Just-right grey
I myself am on the hunt for the perfect grey to paint my bedroom walls. I want a shade that’s not too light and not too dark, not too warm but not too cool. The grey walls in this bedroom are just right and the perfect backdrop for the colourful artwork.
Learn how to pick the right shade of grey
I myself am on the hunt for the perfect grey to paint my bedroom walls. I want a shade that’s not too light and not too dark, not too warm but not too cool. The grey walls in this bedroom are just right and the perfect backdrop for the colourful artwork.
Learn how to pick the right shade of grey
Beige done right
This pretty room features soft shades of tan and, yes, beige. But the cooler, tonal colours look fresh and up-to-date. Work in some white trim and a dark wood floor for contrast.
This pretty room features soft shades of tan and, yes, beige. But the cooler, tonal colours look fresh and up-to-date. Work in some white trim and a dark wood floor for contrast.
Soothing hues
Soft shades of blue and grey make this room feel calm, cool and collected – perfect for a bedroom in a hot climate.
Soft shades of blue and grey make this room feel calm, cool and collected – perfect for a bedroom in a hot climate.
Black in back
Forgo the headboard and paint the wall behind your bed an unexpected colour. Black can serve as a neutral backdrop for any other colour you desire. Combined with purples here it has a regal vibe to it – very simple yet sophisticated.
Take a look at alluring, exquisite black interiors
Forgo the headboard and paint the wall behind your bed an unexpected colour. Black can serve as a neutral backdrop for any other colour you desire. Combined with purples here it has a regal vibe to it – very simple yet sophisticated.
Take a look at alluring, exquisite black interiors
Light and dark
An easy way to select a soothing palette for your bedroom is to find a hue you like and then use various light and dark shades of it throughout the space. Keep in mind that when they’re painted the same colour, ceilings appear darker than walls. So paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall hue (or paint it white), to get an open and airy feel.
Read more:
Houzz Quiz: What Colour Should You Paint Your Bedroom Walls?
Tell us:
Have you experimented with neutral hues in your bedroom? Share images and your tips in the Comments below.
An easy way to select a soothing palette for your bedroom is to find a hue you like and then use various light and dark shades of it throughout the space. Keep in mind that when they’re painted the same colour, ceilings appear darker than walls. So paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall hue (or paint it white), to get an open and airy feel.
Read more:
Houzz Quiz: What Colour Should You Paint Your Bedroom Walls?
Tell us:
Have you experimented with neutral hues in your bedroom? Share images and your tips in the Comments below.
Soft grey is a popular neutral these days, but I say kick it up and go a bit darker, even if you use it only as an accent. Layering various grey shades makes for an elegant, minimalist bedroom.