Given the important role the master bedroom has to play, offering what should be a peaceful spot to retreat to in order to find rest, it is amazing how often it gets a little neglected – I know that my own bedroom design was the very last thing we tackled when renovating.
Once we did finally get around to decorating, it was such a relief to have a beautiful space to look forward to retiring to at the end of the day – but that was well over 10 years ago and now it has begun to look rather shabby. I suspect this is largely due to my teenage daughter using it as her dressing room, and her astounding ability to direct every kind of spray, cream and ointment at the walls, curtains and carpets.
My sleep quality has also gone downhill lately, and in light of all this, I am wondering if a bedroom overhaul could be what's needed. I reached out to the experts to grill them about how to devise a colour scheme for my bedroom that will take it from scruffy to serene – here are their seven top pieces of advice.
1. Be guided by your surroundings
I have to admit to feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to choosing a paint colour scheme for any room, often starting out with a mood board of really bold shades and ending up with something far safer (read boring). There's just so much choice and, in my job, I see so many beautiful interior schemes that making a decision becomes even harder.
Eloise Pfieffer, interior designer at Pfeiffer Design, suggests that when it comes to finding the best bedroom colours, I should use my surroundings as a starting point. "There is no single 'best' bedroom palette for a master bedroom, but we are seeing how nature and the surrounding environment of a home helps to guide design choices," she says.
"A home in a coastal location, for example, might lean into misty blues and sandy neutrals, whereas a countryside setting could inspire earthy clays and mossy greens. The key is to choose colours that feel connected to the home's context – and then opt for softer, more muted versions of your chosen shades so they remain calming and enduring."
Our house is very rural and when I look out of the window I am surrounded by greens and various shades of brown, so perhaps green bedroom ideas should be my starting point rather than simply following the latest paint trends.
Based in Sussex, Pfeiffer Design was founded by Susie Pfeiffer and has over 30 years of experience in the high-end residential and boutique commercial sectors. The close-knit, multi-disciplinary team of designers, project coordinators and technical specialists work together to create inspirational spaces in the home counties, London and even abroad.
2. Combine deep shades and plenty of texture in rooms with high ceilings
I've always been drawn to neutral bedroom ideas, believing an understated scheme will help foster a sense of restfulness, but maybe I'm missing a trick. My bedroom is currently painted in a soft pink with grey undertones, and the ceiling and mouldings are all white. While I actually really like the colour, we have vaulted ceilings and the whole effect is bit too lofty to feel relaxing. I asked what kind of colour schemes can help cosy up a high-ceilinged room like mine.
"For bedrooms with high ceilings, colour can help make the room feel less tall and more comfortable," picks up Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn. "Painting the ceiling in the same colour as the walls can help bring the space together, rather than leaving a bright white ceiling sitting separately above the room. Try deeper shades in larger bedrooms, paired with natural fabrics, timber and warm lighting."
Eloise Pfeiffer also highlights the importance of texture in this instance. "For master bedrooms with tall ceilings, texture plays a vital role in anchoring the room and helping it feel cosier and more inviting. Think bed linen, ceramic lamps, tactile cushions, textured curtains and a patterned headboard. All of these smaller details add to the aesthetic and help a taller space feel more lived-in."
Shop tactile bedroom accessories
Available in three shades, including this pretty Tea Rose, this headboard comes in a range of sizes and is perfect for softening a bedroom scheme.
The base of this table lamp blends ceramic with wood for maximum texture, while the soft natural linen shade means light is gently diffused for a calming glow.
Available in four colours, the crumpled texture and frayed tassels of this reversible throw would lend a relaxed feel to your bedroom – plus it is super soft and machine washable.
Cathryn Sanders is Head of Creative at Earthborn and has worked for the brand for over a decade, meaning she has a wealth of knowledge on paints, trends and the interiors industry as a whole. Working on several colour launches, she is well-versed in trend forecasting, particularly with regard to colour, and subsequently gets the final say on all of Earthborn’s new colours and colour names.
3. Select shades specifically to help support rest
The colours you surround yourself with can really shape how you feel, so whether you are looking for the perfect home office colour for focus, or a relaxing shade for your living room, you need to do your research. I have really been struggling to sleep lately so am after something soothing – which shades do the experts suggest using?
"In a master bedroom, the colour should support rest first. This is the room where people want to switch off, so very bright or high-contrast schemes can sometimes feel too stimulating," explains Cathryn Sanders. "Soft greens, muted blues, warm neutrals and deeper earthy or jewel shades tend to work well because they create a bedroom that feels quieter and easier to relax in."
Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene, agrees that earthy shades are a great route to instantly unwind. "Master bedrooms should feel like a sanctuary, a space that feels calming, comforting and personal. Warm, muted neutrals and earthy tones are particularly effective, helping to create a sense of intimacy and softness within a larger space. Rich, grounding shades such as browns and natural hues have seen a real resurgence, moving away from outdated associations and becoming a key choice for creating restorative, welcoming interiors."
Shop restful colours
This super-durable matt emulsion in Mink is cosy and warm without feeling overbearing. It features undertones of both pink and brown and will sit well alongside a range of other shades.
This warming milky coffee brown is perfect for creating a snuggly backdrop yet is subtle enough to be used even in smaller spaces that don't receive much natural light.
Soft green is an easy colour to work with in any space, but in the bedroom it really lends a soothing feel – this shade has depth but still feels relaxing.
Ruth Mottershead, Creative & Marketing Director of Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library, has been working in her family’s business since 2011. Ruth spent five years studying Landscape Architecture at The University of Sheffield before starting her career in London as a Landscape Architect, designing outdoor public spaces including urban and green spaces as well as heritage sites. When the opportunity arose to join her father David Mottershead and brother Ben Mottershead at Little Greene, it felt like a natural transition, tapping into the close relationship between exterior/spatial design and interior design.
4. Use a limited palette in cluttered spaces
While I wouldn't say my bedroom is cluttered, there is most definitely excess 'stuff' in there – a by-product of the vaulted ceilings which mean no loft space and, therefore, a real lack of storage. While we have done our best to make our bedroom storage ideas beautiful, with lots of wicker baskets and sneaky underbed solutions, the fact remains that there is a lot going on in this room – and I want to know if my colour scheme could help disguise this.
"If a bedroom feels cluttered or cramped, avoid using too many different colours on walls, woodwork and furniture," suggests Cathryn Sanders. "A simpler palette will usually make the room feel calmer.
"Warm off-whites, soft taupe and grey-greens can help create a more ordered backdrop, allowing bedding, furniture and artwork to sit more comfortably in the space."
5. Layer up on colour for a cosier vibe
While my bedroom feels bright and airy, I have often wondered whether it is lacking a little in the snuggly stakes. I prefer master bedroom ideas that feel a little cosier.
According to Ruth Mottershead, this could be achieved by colour layering. "Layering tonal shades is a wonderful way to add depth and warmth. Something like Little Greene's Hammock and Hammock Dark paired with softer pinks would create a gentle, harmonious palette.
"For a truly immersive feel, consider a double drenching approach, carrying colour across walls, woodwork, cabinetry and ceilings," continues Ruth. "This softens architectural boundaries and allows the room to feel more cohesive and enveloping."
6. Create a cocooning effect by colour drenching
Which brings me nicely on to this next tip – colour drenching, the concept of using the same shade all over a space, walls, ceilings, skirting, fireplaces, radiators and all.
"Colour drenching can work very well in a master bedroom," says Cathryn Sanders. "Painting the walls, ceiling, woodwork and doors in the same shade helps remove strong contrasts, which can make the room feel more settled."
Ruth Mottershead is also a fan of this approach, and suggests being bold with your colour choices if you decide to take this route and are after a cosy vibe. "Dark colours are a great way to create warmth and intimacy within any interior. Double drenching approaches allow colour to wrap around the entire room, softening boundaries and helping the eye move effortlessly through the space. This creates a sense of continuity, making the room feel calmer, more considered and often more spacious, while still retaining a feeling of warmth and character."
7. Don't forget the impact smaller details can have
Finally, according to the experts, you should not be overlooking the smaller details when in comes to your master bedroom colour schemes – they can have a bigger impact than you might think. Even tasks like painting skirting boards a new colour could help.
"Paint is one of the easiest ways to update a bedroom without buying new furniture," picks up Cathryn Sanders. "Repainting the walls can change the whole feel of the room, but smaller updates can be just as effective. Painted bedside tables, wardrobes, shelving or a headboard area can bring colour into the space without replacing existing pieces."
Ruth Mottershead agrees that focusing on little details can negate the need for a full redecorating project in many cases. "Even small changes can have a significant impact, creating a more cohesive and intentional feel. By working with the furniture you already have and introducing a thoughtful colour palette, you can give a bedroom a completely new sense of character without starting again."
FAQs
Does the colour advice differ for master bedrooms compared to other bedrooms?
While it might be tempting to save time and mental energy by using the same colour advice for all your bedrooms, there is a reason why master bedrooms sit apart from other sleeping spaces in a home.
"The advice for a master bedroom can differ slightly from children's bedrooms or guest bedrooms because it often needs to feel more restful for everyday use," explains Cathryn Sanders. "A guest bedroom can carry a stronger decorative idea, while a child’s room may need to be more playful and adaptable. In a master bedroom, the most successful colours are usually the ones that make the room feel calm at night and pleasant to wake up in the morning."
"Master bedrooms are often designed as a personal retreat, so the focus should be on creating a space that feels calming, restorative and reflective of the people who use it," adds Ruth Mottershead. "While all bedrooms benefit from thoughtful colour choices, a master bedroom offers the opportunity to embrace more layered and considered schemes that create a true sense of escape."
Colour aside, there are some bedroom design mistakes you need to avoid at all costs – in particular, make sure you get your bedroom lighting scheme spot on or you could end up with a space that feels cold and clinical.
