Home Color Palettes & Paint 19 Wall Paint Ideas To Freshen Up Your Bedroom From timeless creams and neutrals to bold hues of reds and blues By Cameron Beall Cameron Beall Cameron Beall is a writer, marketer, photographer, and creative with over a year of experience with Southern Living in the realm of homes and home building. She was infatuated by home design from a young age, credit to her mother and grandmother. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 9, 2023 Close Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper While picking the comfiest mattress, plushest pillows, and coziest comforter are all important elements for creating your best night's sleep, paint color is one of the simplest ways to make a big impact on the feeling of the room. Your bedroom walls are the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning, so it’s important to really consider how you’re setting the tone of the space. While you may have moved on from the hot pinks and lime greens of your childhood bedroom, when it comes to choosing a paint color, the options still feel endless. Not to mention, picking the right paint goes beyond just the color: You have to consider the finish too. A high-gloss finish can completely change the look of the same color with a matte or eggshell finish. While glossy walls are more commonly used to make a statement (like in a wet bar), if you’re looking for a high-energy bedroom, then gloss it up. Alternately, for a more soothing feel, go with a matte or eggshell finish. From paint finishes to paint colors, whether you prefer a blank slate using whites and creams, the calming properties of blues and purples, or the energy from pinks and yellows—here are some of our favorite bedroom wall paint ideas. 01 of 19 Bring The Outside In Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface A moody green sets the perfect tone for nature lovers. Here, designer Lauren Liess chose Sherwin-Williams Momentum (SW 9530) for the guest bedroom to tie in the scenery of the house's mountainous location. 02 of 19 Use More Than One Color PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLING BY KENDRA SURFACE Why settle for one color when you can use two? In the 2022 Southern Living Idea House, designer Charlotte Lucas used Sherwin-Williams Carambola (SW 9667) in semi-gloss stripped with Sherwin-Williams Barely Pear (SW 9666) in eggshell to create a sophisticated and balanced look. 03 of 19 Create A Blank Canvas Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins White isn’t always boring. By painting the walls in this guest bedroom Sherwin-Williams Cotton (SW 9581), designer Sarah Bartholomew was able to get creative with colorful accents in the textiles and artwork. 04 of 19 Go For Dual Tones Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Take a hint from Nashville designer Stephanie Sabbe and double up on one color by using different shades of it on the walls and trim. The blue-on-blue color scheme feels sophisticated and fun. In this bedroom, she used Sherwin-Williams Niebla Azul (SW 9137) on the walls and Sherwin-Williams Blustery Sky (SW 9140) for the trim. 05 of 19 Say It With Stripes Dane Tashima A custom glaze with a base of Benjamin Moore Golden Beige (100) covers the walls of this bedroom turned paradise. Antiques, finds from all over and carefully thought of color reinforces what the owners call the Palm Beach-meets-Bahamas-meets-Fantasy Island vibe. 06 of 19 Save Color For The Trim Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Want to add interest while keeping the walls simple? Try elevating the room with clean walls and a colorful trim. Here, the designer opted for Sherwin-Williams Cotton (SW 9581) on the walls while adding color to the trim and windows with Sherwin-Williams Silver Lake (SW 9633). 07 of 19 Warm It Up Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Brown might not be the first color that comes to mind when thinking about your bedroom walls, but it sure makes for a cozy room. Sherwin-Williams Tea Leaf (SW 9604) is just unexpected and playful enough for those who want to experiment but aren’t looking for a bright color. 08 of 19 Opt For Tranquility Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Liz Strong Designer Heather Chadduck selected a calming color palette for this mother-in-law suite for guests. Drawing inspiration from the artwork, she used Sherwin-Williams Lullaby (SW 9136) on the walls to compliment the patterned wallpaper on the ceiling. 09 of 19 Pick A Playful Color Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason Don’t be afraid of making a statement when it comes to paint. When designer Meg Kelly was renovating her Nashville home, she chose to make the bedroom extra spunky by covering the walls in Sherwin-Williams Arugula (SW 6446). 10 of 19 Make Your Own Wallpaper Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins Wallpaper can be expensive, but you can create your own with paint and a creative design. For a more subtle approach, use a light color as the base and a darker color for the design—or vice versa for more of a statement. In the 2021 Idea House, designer Sarah Bartholomew used Sherwin-Williams Cotton (SW 9581) as the base with Sherwin-Williams Azure Tide (SW 9684) stenciled on top. 11 of 19 Be Peachy Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason For a soft and whimsical feeling bedroom with a feminine touch, try a paint color in a shade of blush or peach. This homeowner opted for Farrow & Ball's Pink Ground, No. 202. 12 of 19 Choose Bold Accents PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLING BY KENDRA SURFACE Want to use wallpaper but still incorporate paint on the walls? Follow in Charlotte Lucas’s footsteps by choosing an adventurous color like Sherwin-Williams Morning at Sea (SW 9634) to accent your wallpaper. 13 of 19 Spice It Up Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller While creams and whites lend themselves to a classic feel, we love an unusual color for the bedroom. For this guest bedroom, designer Meredith Ellis selected a shade of rusty orange, Sherwin-Williams Cavern Clay (SW 7701), to create a cozy spot. 14 of 19 Keep It Simple Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper Neutral hues often provide a timeless feel. These blue-gray walls painted in Benjamin Moore Mountain Mist (868) create the perfect backdrop for a mix of antiques and warm accents. 15 of 19 Make It Cheery Hector Manuel Sanchez Hues of yellow from shades of marigold to butter yellows can brighten up any space. To bring in warmth with a fun tone to her boy’s room, designer Fran Keenan chose a golden yellow with hints of green. For a similar look, try Sun Valley by Benjamin Moore (350). 16 of 19 Bring On The Deep Blues Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Kathryn Lott Blue bedrooms aren’t just for the boys. This primary bedroom is painted in a soothing shade of navy, Sherwin-Williams Naval (SW 6244), which gives depth to the room and is balanced by the white bedding and light-colored accents. 17 of 19 Go Back To The Basics Dane Tashima; Styling by Raina Kattelson There’s nothing wrong with a classic cream. It’s subtle, dependable, and very versatile. It brings warmth into a space while still allowing for pops of color in the decor. While a crisp white has its place, a creamy white like Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117) provides depth while creating a go-with-anything space. 18 of 19 Fill It With Color Hector Manuel Sanchez To create a room with energy, select a fun and bold color. For her daughter's room, designer Fran Keenan used an adventurous pink and complemented it with equally colorful accents. To achieve this look, try a shade like Farrow & Ball Middleton Pink, No. 245. 19 of 19 Give Gray A Go Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Kathryn Lott Gray doesn’t have to be stale. If you want a neutral base with more personality than a classic shade of white, try a light gray. You can find it in a variety of hues to compliment your decor. Here, designer Kathryn Lott used Sherwin-Williams Gateway Gray (SW 7644) on the walls. Frequently Asked Questions Which type of paint is best for wall painting? Emulsion paint is best for painting walls because it drys quickly, withstands high temperatures, and is long-lasting, durable, and washable. This low-cost paint is water-based. What is the best method to paint walls? Before painting begins, remove the old paint, dust, and dirt and clean the walls so the new application goes on smoothly. When painting the room, start with the trim and ceiling—this order helps because taping around the trim is easier than the walls. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit