29 Bedroom Paint Colors Designers Recommend Avoiding at All Costs

Selecting the right paint color for your bedroom is crucial to ensure relaxation and comfort. The wrong shade can not only affect your mood but also disrupt the harmony of the space. Designers emphasize the importance of choosing colors that promote tranquility. Here, we delve into 29 paint colors experts advise against using in bedrooms, highlighting their effects and offering soothing alternatives.

1. Bright Neon Yellow

Bright neon yellow, with its glaring intensity, can turn any serene bedroom into a chaotic space. The color’s vibrancy often leads to feelings of anxiety and restlessness, making it hard to unwind. In the soft glow of bedroom lighting, neon yellow can clash aggressively, causing visual discomfort.

Instead, consider a gentle buttery yellow for warmth without the intensity. It’s more suited for playful spaces like game rooms.

2. Deep Eggplant Purple

Deep eggplant purple, though luxurious, can make a bedroom feel closed off and heavy. This dark hue may evoke feelings of sadness or confinement in a personal space. The color absorbs light, making the room appear smaller and darker, especially with dim lighting. Pick a soft lavender or lilac to maintain the richness without the weight.

3. Intense Crimson Red

Intense crimson red can overwhelm a bedroom, leading to heightened emotions and a lack of relaxation. The vibrant tone evokes passion but can also create stress, disrupting sleep. In soft bedroom lighting, it may appear too harsh. Consider a muted terracotta for warmth without intensity. Homeowners often make the mistake of choosing it for its boldness, but it’s rarely restful.

4. Electric Blue

Electric blue, with its shocking brightness, can make a bedroom feel stark and uninviting. This intense color can be stimulating, rather than calming, leading to a lack of rest. Under warm lighting, it appears even colder, emphasizing its harshness. Swap it for a serene sky blue to maintain tranquility. It’s a common pitfall for those seeking bold, modern aesthetics.

5. Vibrant Lime Green

Vibrant lime green might seem refreshing, but in a bedroom, it can be too energizing. This lively shade can result in restlessness and agitation, as it stands out sharply. Natural light enhances its intensity, making it visually jarring. A soft sage green is recommended instead for its calming effect. Its dominance can make relaxation difficult, affecting the bedroom’s purpose.

6. Dark Charcoal Gray

Dark charcoal gray, while sophisticated, can create a somber mood in a bedroom. The deep shade may lead to feelings of depression or heaviness. It absorbs light, making the space feel smaller and less inviting. A light dove gray is a soothing alternative, offering elegance without gloom. It’s more suitable for modern living areas or offices, where its intensity can be appreciated.

7. Shocking Pink

Shocking pink, with its vividness, can turn a bedroom into an overwhelming visual experience. This color is often associated with youthful playfulness but can feel chaotic and immature in a restful space. Under soft lighting, it may clash and distract. Opt for a gentle blush pink for warmth without the chaos. Its impact can be more disruptive than calming.

8. Bright Tangerine Orange

Bright tangerine orange is energetic but potentially overwhelming in a bedroom. Its boldness can lead to overstimulation, hindering relaxation and sleep. The hue clashes with typical bedroom lighting, appearing too stark. A muted peach or apricot offers warmth without intensity. Homeowners seeking vibrancy often overlook its potential to disrupt a calming environment.

9. Icy Mint Green

Icy mint green, with its cool undertones, can make a bedroom feel clinical and unwelcoming. This pale shade may evoke a sense of coldness, contrary to a space designed for warmth. It doesn’t pair well with soft lighting, enhancing its chilly nature. It’s a better choice for bathrooms, where a crisp feel is desired.

10. Heavy Burgundy Red

Heavy burgundy red, while rich and classic, can make a bedroom feel oppressive. Its deep hue may induce feelings of sadness or confinement rather than comfort. It absorbs light, making spaces appear smaller and darker. A soft rose or dusty mauve can provide warmth without the heaviness. While dramatic, it is more fitting for dining rooms where boldness is an asset.

11. Overbearing Black

Overbearing black can make a bedroom feel tight and claustrophobic. While modern, its darkness absorbs light, reducing space and comfort. It can evoke feelings of isolation rather than peace. Consider a charcoal gray or navy blue for depth without shadow. Homeowners often overlook the impact of its somber tone in personal spaces.

12. Searing Sunflower Yellow

Searing sunflower yellow, with its brightness, can turn a bedroom into a space of overactivity. This vivid color may create restlessness, making relaxation difficult. It clashes with gentle lighting, appearing harsh. Opt for a soft butter yellow or pale gold to maintain warmth without overstimulation.The hue’s energy can be overwhelming, often leading to sleepless nights rather than restful ones.

13. Striking Turquoise

Striking turquoise, while vibrant, can make a bedroom feel chaotic and unbalanced. Its boldness may evoke anxiety instead of calm. Under soft lighting, it appears overly bright, clashing with the intended soothing atmosphere. A soft aqua or seafoam green is a better alternative, providing tranquility without the clash. Its impact can detract from the restful ambiance desired in a bedroom.

14. Murky Olive Green

Murky olive green, with its drab undertones, can transform a space into something reminiscent of a gloomy day. This color tends to absorb natural light, making the room feel smaller and more confined. Many find it challenging to match decor with such a muted backdrop, leading to a décor mishmash that lacks cohesion.

When considered for a bedroom, this shade can carry an overwhelming sense of heaviness, which is not ideal for a space meant for relaxation. Opting for lighter, more vibrant shades can introduce a refreshing energy to the room, providing a more inviting and restful environment.

15. Pale Baby Blue

Pale baby blue, despite its softness, can make a bedroom feel cold and uninspired. This pastel shade lacks the warmth needed for comfort, appearing dull under warm lighting. It may evoke a sense of emptiness rather than coziness. Swap it for a warm sky blue or periwinkle to maintain calmness with added warmth. Designers often find this blue too clinical for restful spaces, recommending it for nurseries or bathrooms. Its cool undertone can detract from a cozy ambiance.

16. Dark Forest Green

Dark forest green, while earthy, can make a bedroom feel oppressive. Its deep tone may induce heaviness, detracting from relaxation. The color absorbs light, making spaces feel smaller and less inviting. A soft sage or olive green offers earthiness without heaviness. Designers suggest this color is better for study rooms or libraries, where its depth adds sophistication. In bedrooms, it can feel stifling, often making the space less restful and more confining.

17. Bold Magenta

Bold magenta is striking but often too loud for a bedroom. This vibrant color can evoke excitement and chaos, hindering relaxation. Under soft lighting, it becomes even more intense, clashing with the room’s tranquility. Opt for a soft rose or mauve for warmth without chaos.

18. Dull Beige Taupe

Dull beige taupe is often perceived as a safe choice, yet it can result in a lifeless and uninspiring bedroom atmosphere. This color lacks the warmth and character needed to personalize a space, often leading to a bland and monotonous look.

The neutrality of dull taupe can sometimes make it difficult to highlight standout pieces in the decor, resulting in a uniformly dull appearance. To breathe life into a bedroom, consider introducing warmer tones or incorporating vibrant accents that can energize the space.

19. Stark White

Stark white, while clean, can make a bedroom feel cold and impersonal. This pure shade lacks warmth, leading to a sterile environment. It reflects light harshly, detracting from relaxation. Opt for a warm ivory or cream for a cozier feel.

We often find such clean whites too stark for bedrooms, suggesting them for modern kitchens or bathrooms. Its lack of warmth can make the space feel less inviting, often clinical rather than comforting.

20. Citrus Orange

Citrus orange, with its brightness, can make a bedroom feel overly active and distracting. This bold color can hinder relaxation, evoking energy rather than calm. It contrasts sharply with soft lighting, appearing too vibrant.

A muted peach or coral is recommended for warmth without distraction. Its intensity can dominate, often leading to sleeplessness.

21. Harsh Metallic Silver

Harsh metallic silver, while modern, can make a bedroom feel cold and unwelcoming. This reflective color lacks warmth, creating a stark, impersonal space. It clashes with soft lighting, enhancing its harshness. Consider a soft gray or light blue for a calming alternative.

This metallic tone is better for industrial-styled spaces, where its coldness can be appreciated. In bedrooms, its shine can detract from the cozy ambiance, making the environment less comforting.

22. Dark Navy Blue

Dark navy blue, though classic, can make a bedroom feel somber and confined. Its deep shade absorbs light, reducing the space’s openness and warmth. It may evoke a sense of heaviness rather than peace. Opt for a lighter blue like powder or sky blue to maintain the calm without the weight.

Designers recommend this hue for accents, where its depth adds sophistication without overwhelm. In bedrooms, it can feel too enclosing, often more stifling than serene.

23. Vivid Orange

Vivid orange, with its intensity, can make a bedroom feel overly urgent and unsettling. This bold hue evokes energy, clashing with the need for rest. Natural light enhances its brightness, making it visually jarring. A warm terracotta or muted coral offers vibrancy without chaos.

Designers often warn against such bright oranges, preferring them for lively spaces like kitchens. Its energy can overpower relaxation, often leading to a restless environment.

24. Overwhelming Mystic Purple

Overwhelming mystic purple, with its deep tone, can make a bedroom feel too mystical and distracting. This color may evoke intrigue but can also hinder relaxation. The hue appears heavy, absorbing light and creating a dark atmosphere.

Consider a soft lavender or lilac for a soothing alternative. Designers suggest this purple is better for meditation spaces, where its depth can add interest without distraction. In bedrooms, it can feel too heavy, detracting from the desired calm.

25. Blinding Fluorescent Pink

Blinding fluorescent pink, with its high energy, can make a bedroom feel chaotic and overwhelming. This vivid color evokes excitement rather than calm, clashing with the need for rest. Under soft lighting, it appears even more intense.

Designers often discourage such bright pinks, suggesting they are more fitting for energetic spaces like playrooms. Its vibrancy can disrupt tranquility, often making the bedroom feel more active than restful.

26. Muted Mustard Yellow

Muted mustard yellow, though sometimes appealing in small doses, can overwhelm a bedroom when used extensively. It often casts an unwanted shadow, making the space appear outdated and out of sync with contemporary styles.

This color can clash with other popular bedroom hues, creating a visual disharmony that may disrupt the peaceful ambiance desired for rest. Choosing softer yellow tones or pastel alternatives can enhance the harmony and tranquility of the space, ensuring a more restful environment.

27. Harsh Industrial Gray

Harsh industrial gray, while modern, can make a bedroom feel cold and uninviting. This dark, muted color lacks warmth, leading to a stark environment. It absorbs light, making spaces feel smaller and less welcoming.

Opt for a soft gray or warm beige to maintain sophistication with added warmth. Designers find this gray too harsh for bedrooms, suggesting it for industrial-style spaces. Its coldness can detract from the comforting feel needed in a bedroom, often making it less inviting.

28. Overstated Royal Blue

Overstated royal blue, though regal, can make a bedroom feel heavy and confined. Its intense shade may evoke a sense of grandeur but lacks the lightness needed for restful spaces. It absorbs light, appearing dark and restrictive.

A soft powder blue or periwinkle can provide tranquility without weight.

Designers often suggest this blue for accents, where its richness can be appreciated without overwhelming. In bedrooms, it can feel too enclosing, often making the space less airy and peaceful.

29. Stale Apricot

Stale apricot has a tendency to cast an overly warm glow, which can feel suffocating in a bedroom setting. This color often competes with more vibrant decor, overshadowing the subtle elegance of modern design elements.

Incorporating a fresher, softer palette can prevent the space from feeling dated, allowing for a more modern and spacious feeling. Seeking out colors that offer a cooling effect can further enhance the restful environment of your bedroom.