How to design a colour scheme for your bedroom

Changing the overall colour scheme of a bedroom can have a transformative effect on how the space looks and feels, but choosing the right colours can be a daunting task. This is often why people tend to opt for the safer options, but in doing so, there’s a good chance they’re limiting the full potential of what their bedroom could become.  

To feel more at ease about making the right the decisions, we asked experts for their advice on how to turn inspiration into a colour palette, as well as the best practice approach to visualising certain paint colours before picking up a paintbrush.

Get to know colours better

According to Melissa Chatfield, interior stylist of Design School, certain colours in a room have the power to directly affect how we feel when we spend time in that space. “Cool colours will make a room look bigger and calmer, whilst warm colours tend to absorb light, making a room look smaller and cosier,” explains Chatfield. “Since the bedroom is meant to be for relaxation, try steer clear of high-energy colours like bright yellows and deep reds. Keeping it tonal is a great way to create a balanced, harmonious space.”

Keeping things tonal is key to a harmonious space, like this bedroom styled by Zhana Garkinis. Photo: Design School

Create a moodboard 

Before you commit to anything, you need to visualise the end goal, says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour expert. “When I’m working on a client’s room, I first need to understand what the client wishes to achieve within the space,” explains Lucena-Orr. “Do they want a moody dark scheme? Or are they looking for a light and bright colour scheme?” Whether you tear pages out of magazines or start a fresh Pinterest board, collecting images of bedrooms that visually appeal to you will help you gain a better understanding of the type of colour palette to pick.

Draw on things you love

Inspiration can also be drawn from things you already own and love, says Lauren Li, founder of Melbourne design firm, Sisalla Interior Design. “Artwork is a great place to start as there can be many aspects to draw inspiration from,” says Li. “For example, a black and white photo of New York can inspire a minimal New York loft-style room, whereas a textile wall hanging can inspire a muted colour scheme, in which texture is the main focal point. But then again, even the fabric on a favourite outfit in your closet can get a colour palette started.”

Stuck for inspiration? One item can inspire the look of an entire room. Bedroom by Sisalla Interior Design. Photo: Tess Kelly

Compare paint colours

When it comes to deciding on paint colours for your bedroom walls, it’s important to use colour swatches for guidance. “Selecting a few swatches and showing these colours in situ, is really important before making that final decision,” says Lucena-Orr. “Remember it’s not just the colour on the walls that make up a bedroom, you also have to look at what items you intend on keeping, as well as any new purchases you are looking to introduce. This includes the colours of bed linen, accessories, drapes and furniture.”

Try before you buy

Once you have your decision down to a couple of paint colours, you can then have a play with sample pots. “Testing out your chosen colours on A4 size sample sheets, taped against the wall will ensure that you know exactly how the colour is going to appear in your bedroom,” says Lucena-Orr. “It’s also important to leave these samples up for two to three days before you decide, that way you can see how the colours look during daylight hours and also at night with artificial lighting.”

 Bed linen and pillows by Cultiver Goods, like the brown “Yoko” leather lumbar cushion, are a great way to introduce colours to your scheme. Other products featured include “We are electric” photographic print in oak frame by Danielle Cross, Nordic dresser and Victoria slip cover bedhead from Globe West and the Lily side tables Life Interiors. Photo: Lynden Foss