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Bedroom Painting Ideas: The Meaning of Color

Painter and decorator work table with house project, color swatches, painting roller and paint brushes
Witthaya Prasongsin/ Getty Images

Have you noticed how color can affect your mood? When considering bedroom paint ideas, the right bedroom paint colors will make a huge difference in how you feel. Color psychology was pioneered by famous psychotherapist Carl Jung. He was interested in colors’ properties and meanings and believed that colorful art had the potential as a tool for psychotherapy. Although there are rules on what is the best color for bedroom walls, each person has their own preferences and tastes. You may be attracted to an unexpected color that has qualities you need more of in your life. Forget the traditional rules. Grab the tools you need and pick bedroom colors you love. Paint your walls with stripes, or add a  wallpaper accent, jazz up the ceiling, trim, furniture, or do anything that makes you happy.

Bedroom Paint Ideas and Techniques

Painting your bedroom is an inexpensive way to personalize your bedroom’s style. To maximize your bedroom paint design, paint more than just the walls.  You can paint any spot from the bedroom ceiling to the floor. Here are some decorating ideas that use paint to take your bedroom to the next level:

Wall Molding

If you’re feeling adventurous, add depth to a wall by attaching wall molding in rectangular or square shapes before painting. The wall molding adds a unique dimensional effect to your bedroom. For contrast, choose a different paint color for the molding.

Molding is a cool effect that is pretty easy to achieve. You can find it at your favorite home improvement store and even put it in whatever pattern you like. This is a great way to add some flair in a subtle way, and it’s a refined and elegant decor element.

Traditional fireplace with floral relief moulding in empty domestic room. There is a real roaring fire in the fireplace.

Spiderstock/ Getty Images

Stripes and Patterns

For a dramatic effect, try painting a stripe or several on your walls. Stripes don’t have to be uniform or always vertical. A stripe can run horizontally or in a pattern.

Stripes can be achieved in several ways. You can paint them, wallpaper them, or even use decals to create this look. They add personality to a room without being too over the top. This is also a great option if you’re torn between a couple of complimentary colors. Go ahead and use them all!

Photographee.eu/ Shutterstock

Metallic Wall Paint

If your room is naturally dark, metallic paints add a warm sheen to your walls. They require several coats to apply but are worth the final effect. You can find easy-to-use metallic paints in a variety of colors. The wall in the image below is painted in a metallic steel paint color.

Metallics can really jazz up your room, and this decor idea is perfect for someone who wants to make a statement. These colors and sheens show that you have a fun personality and that carries through your home as well. Metallics are not for the shy!

Andrey_Popov/ Shutterstock

Paint the Ceiling

Painting your bedroom ceiling can create more visual interest. For a bold look, paint your bed’s headboard wall as a continuous line that carries up to the ceiling, forming a canopy effect like the image below, or add stripes to the ceiling like the black and white bedroom below.

Painting a ceiling can be a bit of a tall order, but it’s worth it to give your room a bit of a cocoon effect. Your space suddenly becomes enveloping, which is perfect for someone who truly believes their bedroom is their haven. It’s all about comfort and making the whole room cohesive.

painted ceiling

onzon/ Getty Images

Lighting Effect

A simple DIY project that makes a big impact in a painted bedroom is a wall dimmer switch. Dimmers are inexpensive and help create the right lighting to enhance your mood. Being able to brighten or dim a room on demand is especially helpful if you’ve painted your bedroom walls in a bold color.

There are so many more options for lighting, though, like using fairy lights or even rainbow lights. These will add a soft glow to the room. And because these tiny lights come in a variety of colors, you can get whatever matches your aesthetic.

What Bedroom Paint Colors Say About You

Painter and decorator work table with house project, color swatches, painting roller and paint brushes

Witthaya Prasongsin/ Getty Images

Look at the colors below and choose your favorite. We’re going to take a look at what your color choice says about your personality or what you may need more of in your life.

Grey

If you chose grey as your favorite, you like minimalist design and the latest high-tech gadgets. You’re hard working and need a bedroom where you can recharge. Luckily, grey is not only the top contemporary paint color shade of the moment, grey walls are soothing and restful.

Modern bedroom interior, with bed, night tables, lamps, and many details around. Many books and decoration, wall is rich in texture. Copy space background template render

ExperienceInteriors/ Getty Images

Yellow

If you’re attracted to yellow, you’re a perfectionist and a dreamer. Highly intellectual, you have a great mind for abstract topics and business. You’re highly charismatic and make people feel at ease in your company. Choosing yellow says you need to give yourself more time to relax, think and dream.If you’re not sure about painting your entire bedroom bright yellow, try these tips:–Only paint one wall yellow–Go for gold to create a rich, inviting bedroom–Use yellow as an accent color for bedding or accessories

Beautiful bedroom interior and towels

Xrrth Choti Thaen Sila / EyeEm/ Getty Images

Orange

Orange lovers are highly social and fearless. You love adventure, travel, and meeting people. Orange bedroom walls are warm and invoke enthusiasm. It’s one of the top colors of choice in contemporary design. If you’re drawn to orange, it’s time to add some fun to your life (and bedroom walls).

3d render of orange bedroom

ondatra-m/ Getty Images

Blue

Blue may come in a variety of color tones, but most blue lovers have something in common: a need for peace and harmony. If you chose blue, you’re loyal, have lifelong friends and like a routine. Blue fans tend to prefer a space that is clean and organized, so be sure to not only paint your walls, but also add a little extra storage and organization to your bedroom. You’ll feel more at home and rested in a peaceful, uncluttered blue bedroom.

Plant on white cupboard in spacious blue bedroom interior with grey blanket on bed

KatarzynaBialasiewicz/ Getty Images

Mocha

Choosing mocha means you’re down-to-earth and honest. Reliable and confident, people are drawn to your genuine self. You appreciate the simple luxuries of life and love decorating your home. Being drawn to the color mocha may be telling you that you need to slow down and enjoy more time in nature.

Pixel-Shot/ Shutterstock

Black

If black is your color choice, you’re mysterious and sultry. Prestige and power are important to you. You’re strong, independent and in control. People who are attracted to black love privacy — black is the perfect color for the protected, intimate space of your bedroom. If you chose black, ask yourself if you need to set more boundaries in your personal and work relationships to feel balanced and in control.

Photographee.eu/ Shutterstock

Green

If green was your color choice, you’re easy to get along with, patient and steer clear of drama. Green is considered the most relaxing color. There are many shades of green available, all of which can create a stress-free environment. Is your life a little chaotic lately? That may be the reason you’ve chosen green. Embrace it and create a calm, zen bedroom.If you also want an environmentally green room, choose interior paints that are low-VOC and chemical free.

Digital Vision./ Getty Images

The bottom line

Using color therapy in your bedroom is as simple as painting the walls. If you’re considering bold colors and want to ease into things, start small. Paint a single wall, add stripes or use the chosen color as your accent color. Share with us, what color personality did you choose?


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