11 Best Tranquil Paint Colors for Bedrooms > Maria Olaya Salazar

A calm color can set the tone for your sleep space

Updated on 03/29/22

Tranquil bedroom with light gray painted walls and large window facing backyard — The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

When it comes to choosing bedroom decor, it’s no surprise that the most commonly used adjectives include “relaxing,” “tranquil,” and “peaceful.” Energy and stimulation are best left to the living room or kitchen; your bedroom should be your calm zone. To channel that perfect calm, look to your bedroom walls where the perfect hue can set the tone for the rest of the room. A soothing bedroom paint color doesn’t have to be boring. There are ways to add a little color to your space, either on all the walls or just an accent wall, and still have it feel soothing.

Color Family: Various
Complementary Colors: Various
Pairs Well With: Neutrals, muted colors
Mood: Calm, serene, relaxing, cozy, inviting
Where to Use: Bedrooms, accent walls, accent furniture

Here are some of the top tranquil bedroom paint colors that are anything but dull.

Magnolia Cozy Up

A misty gray paint color like Magnolia’s Cozy Up evokes the feeling of a restful rainy day. This warm medium gray plays well with beiges and tans and is a wonderful neutral color itself. Pair it with creamy white trim and warm wood tones for a truly serene space.

Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue No. 89

Farrow + Ball Lulworth Blue paint swatch

Another clear winner on the color wheel when it comes to tranquility? Blue. Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue is an incredibly restful cool hue that pairs well with neutral whites that lack any undertones. It reminds us of a calm day at sea and has an extremely peaceful feeling when painted on walls. Use it with white trim for the feel of a relaxing seaside retreat.

Sherwin-Williams Alabaster SW 7008

Though there are many shades of white we love for a bedroom, Alabaster from Sherwin-Williams is a great choice if your No. 1 goal is tranquility. This warm hue is endlessly creamy and rich and perfectly suited for a great night’s sleep. Pair it with other warm colors for a serene feel.

Tip

When selecting the perfect shade of white for your space, it’s ideal to test a sample first. Take a few days to see how the color looks in various lighting, both natural and artificial. Then you’ll truly know whether its undertones complement the rest of the room.

Benjamin Moore Spring Purple 2070-40

Purple can be incredibly regal and chic but also relaxing thanks to its calm blue undertones. Spring Purple from Benjamin Moore is a medium purple shade with slight blue undertones. It’s a little muted and perfect for a bedroom that needs a little extra dose of color without overpowering other colors or accents within the space.

Benjamin Moore Soft Sand 2106-60

Many neutrals are incredibly calming. But we love Soft Sand from Benjamin Moore in particular because it adds a layer of soft pink undertones that instantly make a place feel cozier and calmer. Perfect for small bedrooms that lack ample natural light, Soft Sand is a wonderful choice if you want to maintain a neutral vibe without edging on boring.

Magnolia Elemental

Magnolia’s Elemental is a warm brown with soft yellow undertones that feels instantly welcoming. It adds personality without feeling too energizing. It’s a great way to add an accent wall to your space while maintaining a serene atmosphere. It also can make large bedrooms feel cozier when painted on all the walls.

Sherwin-Williams Rosebay SW 6563

Rosebay from Sherwin-Williams is the boldest hue on this list, but its rosy feel keeps it grounded and tranquil. This pink is on the warm side and pairs well with tans or warm beiges. If you want to add a little extra depth to your space without going overboard on color, try Rosebay behind your bed or on your interior bedroom door.

Behr Cracked Pepper PPU18-01

Yes, black can feel tranquil in a bedroom. Cracked Pepper by Behr is a great choice for black bedroom paint because it’s deep and dark but not quite pitch black. It has a dusty element to it that keeps it from feeling too heavy or stark. It would work especially well to give depth and coziness to an accent wall.

Tip

When going from light to dark wall colors, it’s recommended to use a tinted primer first. That way, you won’t need to use as much paint to achieve a uniform color.

Valspar Butterscotch Lollipop 3011-3

Valspar Butterscotch Lollipop color paint swatch

You might consider yellow to be an energizing and vibrant color. But Butterscotch Lollipop, a muted mustard shade from Valspar, is a great way to bring in the personality of yellow paint while still maintaining a tranquil bedroom. Mix it with creamy neutrals for a cheerful and relaxing retreat.

Glidden Spice Cookie PPG1063-2

Peach is another color that proves muted, tranquil paints don’t have to be boring. Spice Cookie from Glidden borders on beige but has a little more pizazz. Consider pairing it with rich muted colors, such as clay, for a room full of depth and interest.

The Spruce Best Home Winter Wreath SPR-08

The Spruce paint swatch in Winter Wreath

If you don’t consider green a tranquil color, you’re mistaken. The Spruce Best Home Winter Wreath is a dusty olive that draws from natural elements to create a soothing feeling. It’s the perfect shade for a casual, homey bedroom as well as for a vintage-inspired room. It pairs well with brown wood tones and warm whites.