Think all bed sheet colors are created equal when it comes to getting a good night’s rest? Think again! The hue you choose for your sheets can have a bigger impact on your sleep quality and mood than you might expect. While soothing shades like blue, green, and gray are often recommended by experts, there’s one color that you should steer clear of if you want to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
1. Red Bed Sheets Could Be Ruining Your Sleep
Red may be a bold, passionate color, but it’s one of the worst choices for your bed sheets. This energetic hue is known to provoke feelings of aggression and anger, which is the last thing you want when you’re trying to wind down for the night. Studies have found that exposure to the color red can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and adrenaline levels in the body.
Red’s stimulating effects can make it much harder to fall asleep and can lead to more restless, disrupted sleep throughout the night. Over time, sleeping on red sheets could contribute to irritability, anxiety, and daytime fatigue. If you currently have red sheets on your bed, consider replacing them with a more tranquil color to see if your sleep improves.
While some people may find the look of red sheets romantic or luxurious, it’s best to reserve this passionate color for other areas of your home, like the dining room or living room. The potential toll it can take on your sleep and overall well-being just isn’t worth the aesthetic appeal in the bedroom.
If you’re set on having a pop of red in your bedroom, stick to small accents like throw pillows, artwork, or area rugs so you can still enjoy the color without it impacting your sleep. Just don’t make red the predominant color on your bed where you’ll be spending 7-9 hours every night.
2. Other Colors to Avoid in the Bedroom
While red is the biggest culprit when it comes to disrupting sleep, there are a few other colors you may want to think twice about using on your bed sheets and in your bedroom decor. Bold, saturated shades tend to be more stimulating than soothing, so they’re generally not recommended for sleep spaces.
Dark purple is another color that can negatively impact sleep quality. Purple is thought to stimulate creativity and is sometimes associated with vivid dreams and nightmares. Waking up from intense dreams can leave you feeling unrested even if you got a full night’s sleep.
Very dark colors like brown and black are also not ideal for bed sheets and bedrooms. These colors absorb a lot of light and can make a room feel dreary, small and cave-like. Emotionally, dark brown and black may evoke feelings of anxiety, sadness, fear or anger. Waking up to a dark, heavy color scheme can dampen your mood and make it harder to feel energized to start your day.
Bright shades like orange and yellow, while cheerful, can also be too stimulating for the bedroom. Orange in particular is an energizing color that can heighten alertness, making it harder to relax and potentially leading to restless sleep.
3. The Best Colors for Bed Sheets
So what are the most soothing and sleep-promoting colors for bed sheets? Experts typically recommend soft, muted shades and neutrals for their calming effects. Light and pastel colors are also preferable to darker, more saturated hues.
Blue is one of the most popular colors for sheets as it symbolizes serenity and tranquility. Studies suggest that blue bedding can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and help you drift off to sleep faster. Look for calming shades like sky blue, icy blue, or midnight.
Green is another restful color that reminds us of nature and promotes a sense of balance and harmony. Sage green is an especially soothing, medium-tone shade that would make a wonderful choice for bed sheets. Or you can try a fresh spring green or deep olive.
Gray provides a neutral canvas that is soft yet sophisticated. This non-aggressive color can help you unwind and forget about the stresses of your day, and you can find bed sheets in shades ranging from dove to charcoal.
4. Calming Pastels & Neutrals
Pale pink bed sheets represent gentleness and can have a calming effect on the mind. This soft, subtle color could help lower your blood pressure and bring about feelings of peace and joy as you snuggle up under your covers.
White sheets are classic, crisp, and symbolize purity, cleanliness and simplicity. If you struggle with insomnia or other sleep issues, white or cream colored bedding can create a tranquil environment that makes it easier to relax. Just make sure you regularly wash and bleach your white sheets to keep them looking fresh.
If you find white a bit too stark, beige or off-white sheets are a nice alternative as they still have a light, natural hue but aren’t quite as bright. A recent study found that people tend to associate beige with serenity and simplicity, so this color may help put your mind at ease before bed.
Lavender sheets bring in soft blues, purples, and grays in one beautiful fusion. While lavender can boost creativity, it’s still a calming color that can put you in a restful state of mind. Lavender bed sheets may bring an added sense of tranquility to your nights.
5. Light Tones, Prints & Patterns
When choosing your bed sheet color, go for light to medium shades that won’t overpower your room. Dark, heavy colors tend to be less conducive to sleep. If you find solid colors a bit boring, you can incorporate soft prints or patterns into your bedding as well.
Consider a mellow floral print sheet set or a duvet cover with light stripes or polka dots. Prints add visual interest without being as stimulating as bold, graphic patterns. Just make sure any printed bedding has a white or light colored background to maintain a soothing vibe.
You can also mix and match your bedding by pairing printed pillows with solid sheets or using printed blankets or throws that complement your sheet color. Don’t be afraid to layer neutrals like white, beige and pale gray for an inviting, cozy effect.
If you want to use pattern in your bedroom beyond just your bedding, stick to an area rug or drapery panels so it’s not right next to your face while you sleep. An overall serene color scheme is what will help you achieve your most restful nights.
6. Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
The color of bed sheets you choose is definitely something to consider if you want to create an environment that’s primed for sleep. But it’s not the only factor that impacts your sleep quality. The fabric of your sheets matters too, so look for a soft, breathable material like 100% cotton.
You’ll also want to pay attention to the weave and thread count of your sheets. Percale sheets have a crisp, cool feel, while sateen offers a silkier touch. And in general, a thread count between 300-500 provides a nice balance of softness and durability.
Light-blocking window shades, a supportive mattress and pillows, a cool room temperature, and a regular sleep schedule can also make a big difference in how well you sleep through the night. Try to limit screen time and stimulating activities in the hour before bed to help you wind down.
With the right sleep environment and habits, you’ll hopefully be able to get a solid 7-9 hours of shut-eye and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day – no angry red sheets haunting your dreams! Opt for one of the soothing, expert-recommended colors to give yourself the best chance at sleeping well night after night.
7. Creating a Relaxing Bedroom Oasis
Your bedding color isn’t the only aspect of your bedroom that can impact the overall vibe and your ability to relax. The color you paint your bedroom walls is equally important. Shades like taupe, light gray, sea foam, and lavender can make your whole bedroom feel like a soothing oasis.
When choosing a wall color, go for a matte finish rather than eggshell or glossy sheen, as very shiny surfaces can reflect light and make it harder to sleep. And keep any actual patterns on your walls to a minimum to promote a sense of calm and simplicity.
Beyond wall and bedding colors, you can make your bedroom more conducive to relaxation by minimizing visual clutter. Keep your decor simple, store clothes out of sight, and limit electronics and work materials in this space. Add a plush area rug and soft lighting for ambiance.
Think of your bedroom as a peaceful retreat designed to help you unplug and unwind from the stresses of your day. By creating an environment that feels like a calming oasis, you’ll more easily be able to quiet your mind and drift off to sleep when your head hits the pillow. And with the right color bed sheets, you’ll be set up for sweet dreams all night long.
When it comes to getting your best rest, subtle choices like your bed sheet color really can make a difference. Swapping aggressive red for soothing blue, green, gray, or white sheets could be the key to falling asleep faster and waking up more refreshed. Considering how much time we spend in bed, it’s worth putting some thought into the colors we surround ourselves with to maximize our sleep quality and overall health.
