Finding the right small bedroom color ideas can be somewhat of a challenge, as these more petite spaces can require more planning than expected.
Depending on the size and the natural light available within the existing bedroom ideas, colors can make the space look larger or smaller, airier or cozier. So making the right choice can make all the difference in the final feeling of the room.
‘Although pale colors will help to make small rooms look larger, dark colors in small bedrooms can look stunning and create an atmosphere that’s perfect for enhancing intimacy, feeling cozy and restful sleep,’ advises Marianne Shillingford, creative director, Dulux. ‘Decide how you want to feel in your bedroom and work from there.’
There are two options, if you want a loftier feel then choose shades that help to create the illusion of space, or you might be hankering after a cosier space that feels cocooning, in which case grounding richer shades will do the trick.
Marianne’s core objective in her role is to help people to be more confident about using color in their projects. That involves everything from working on new color ranges and tools to deliver practical training in the Dulux Academy and seminars at trade events.
Small bedroom color ideas
‘To make a small bedroom look and feel bigger, opt for light and airy colors that create an illusion of space,’ suggests Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer, Furniture Village.
‘Work with a base of off-whites, soft pastels or earthy neutrals to open up the room and to ensure light is reflected throughout. Incorporate textures such as jute rugs and chunky knitted throws to add interest to the look.’
We asked color experts for their favorite small bedroom color ideas and how to make them work whatever size space you have.
1. Corals
(Image credit: Sofa.com)
Coral has been a popular color this last few years and it’s easy to see why – a step up from pink but not as harsh as orange, it sits perfectly between the two. It’s warm and feminine and looks great with rich shades like claret.
‘Your bed is the centrepiece of your sleeping space, and a wonderful place to introduce a pop of color into your room,’ says Patricia Gibbons, part of the design team at Sofa.com. ‘Creating a harmonious space is the ultimate goal in the bedroom – don’t be afraid to embrace color. In smaller spaces you need to be a bit more considerate with your desired bedroom color schemes, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from bolder hues.’
‘If you’ve selected a darker headboard, and jewel tones are particularly popular at the moment, use a paler shade on the wall. Lighter tones help the natural light reflect more, as well as adding an airy and open atmosphere, giving the perception of a larger room.’
2. Sage greens
(Image credit: Industville)
Gentle and nurturing, green bedroom ideas are a good option for smaller spaces. Tonally, sage sits in the middle of the green spectrum making it easy on the eye. This also means it goes well with other colors, consider saffron and blush, but also black and white.
Keeping the walls in a soft shade will ensure the space won’t feel closed in, instead, more of an all encompassing feel that’s earthy. Choose wood furniture that’s mid-toned to maintain a visual balance across the space.
3. Plaster
(Image credit: Prestigious Textiles)
There’s something very soothing about the colors of the freshly plastered walls. It’s nurturing with an earthy appeal and it’s a color to definitely consider, the bonus is that it’s pale enough to lighten up a small bedroom whilst still adding a warming touch.
‘For small bedrooms, we are seeing a continued trend for warm earthy tones, along with creams and off whites, which is ideal for small spaces as it keeps them feeling bright, open and spacious,’ says Marie Goodwin, head designer, Prestigious Textiles.
4. Navy
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Navy is a classic shade that’s popular in kitchens but one that’s not seen as much in other rooms, even though it has its uses. If you’re after a cosier feel then opt for darker shades. Choose a blue that’s not too cold visually, and team it with paler blue accessories for balance. Checking whether your bedroom is south or north facing will help to decide which shades work best.
‘For a south or west facing space, choose a warm white or warm neutral. White Tie or Setting Plaster will respond beautifully here,’ advises Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball.
‘For blue bedroom ideas in an east facing room, consider a gentle aqua such as Pale Powder which will play to the natural lighting conditions. For north facing, err towards darker colors – by playing with the limitations here rather than fighting them the room will respond accordingly – even dare to go as dark as a deep blue or forest green such as Wine Dark or Beverly, both colors will create a space that is deeply cozy and cocooning.’
Patrick O’Donnell has been bringing his impeccable eye for color to Farrow & Ball since 2012. Over that time, he has been a showroom manager, global color consultancy manager and now brand ambassador. However, he is best known as the much-loved face of Farrow & Ball on social media
5. Pastels
(Image credit: Dulux)
Ice cream shades or pastel shades like barely there pink and creamy tones will offer a light and airy feel to your small bedroom color ideas. A fabulous interior design trick is to paint the floorboards white, this will help reflect the light up too.
Keep your accessories light but use accents to add interest, golden hues like turmeric work well with pinks and taupes. Keep furniture light too, choose sleek designs with narrow legs instead of chunkier designs.
6.Chocolate
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Rich and velvety, you can’t beat a deep rich shade like chocolate. It may not be an obvious choice, but it’s a winner if you want to turn your bedroom into a cozy and inviting haven.
“If you have a smaller bedroom, why not embrace it and play to its strengths,” suggests Helen Shaw, marketing director at Benjamin Moore. ‘Incorporating a rich, bold paint color is the perfect way to create an instant character, taking a small space from drab to chic.’
‘This is ideal for a bedroom where you want to unwind at the end of the day as it enhances the cosy space. For the ultimate luxe feel, ensure the room is ambiently lit with candles and dim lights, finished with rich colored fabrics.’
7. Gray
(Image credit: Kersaint Cobb)
Gray is a perennial favorite and it’s certainly not going away any time soon. Versatile and stylish, a charcoal shade on one wall will focus the eye away from the size of your bedroom. In terms of flooring in gray bedroom ideas, consider stripes in a paler shade of gray to add balance and contrast.
“Stripes are a key trend in interiors with many working with a variety of materials to create inviting room schemes,” says Jon Flannigan, product manager, Kersaint Cobb. ‘Light colors and stripes are particularly effective in bedrooms. Soft, pale colored flooring brightens up a small area, creating the illusion of space and gives a light, airy look.’
‘Stripes add visual interest to the floor and for those tight on space, it is worth remembering that linear stripes can help to enlarge the appearance of a room, as the stripe draws the eye along the design and thus appears to elongate the area.’
8. Reds
(Image credit: Furniture Village )
Punchy and vibrant, red is definitely a color to consider in a small bedroom. It might sound mad, but it can be incredibly successful if applied with thought.
“A palette of reds may sound bold, but through some carefully considered design choices, red in its many iterations can work well to create a calming and inviting atmosphere,” says Shelley from Furniture Village.
‘For large surface areas such as walls and bed linens, opt for softer shades that won’t dominate the space, such as damask rose and terracotta. Layer in cushions and bed throws in sumptuous fabrics and deep burgundy tones to balance the look.’
9. Whites and off-whites
(Image credit: Annie Sloan)
White and very pale neutrals are always an option for a small bedroom. There’s no doubt that these shades will lighten and brighten, but they need to be handled with care so you don’t create a sterile space instead of one that’s inviting.
‘From painted walls to painted floorboards, a neutral bedroom scheme will give your room the illusion of being bigger and brighter, while creating a soothing space for sweet dreams and lazy Sunday mornings,’ says Annie Sloan, paint and color expert.
‘To avoid a clinical look, introduce a color disrupter on a focal piece such as a bedframe. A burst of your favorite statement shade will add personality and really pop against the clean gallery-style backdrop.’
10. Gold
(Image credit: Mylands/FTT-001™/@sella.concept)
Something new to consider that’s not simply a pale or deep shade, is gold. Paint company Mylands has seen a fast rise in popularity for its gold paints in the last year, and it’s a trend they feel is set to continue this year and beyond. So why use it in a small bedroom?
‘A warm and radiant metallic shade like FTT-001™ is great for adding brightness and warmth to a smaller space, and can be used on the walls and ceiling to envelop the bedroom with a refreshing atmosphere and comforting glow,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands.
It really is a paint color to consider, it can be applied directly on to the wall and the result will be a luminous gold finish, with the bonus of being uplifting and inviting too. Team it with neutrals like oatmeal and dark wood like mahogany.
What color paint is best for a small bedroom?
‘Embrace the snug feel of a smaller bedroom by opting for rich, warming tones that evoke the comforting feeling of being cocooned,’ says Shelley from Furniture Village.
‘One way to achieve this is by selecting a monochromatic color scheme that creates subtle moments of depth without overwhelming the space.’
What color makes a small bedroom look bigger?
‘All small spaces benefit from colors that accept. This means that the walls they are painted on look further away from us,’ added Dulux’s Marianne. ‘It’s all to do with visual wavelengths and the shorter the wavelength a color has, the further away it looks.
Blue, green and violet are the shortest wavelength colors and the pale versions of these colors; which coincidentally reminds us of the biggest elements of the great outdoors like the sea, fields and sky are perfect for small bedrooms.’