Hi, I’m Carla Hedman from Trusted House Painter. In this post I’ll answer a few common color questions and share bonus tips from my free PDF, “Best Paint Colors For Bedroom Walls.” Whether you want a soft, airy retreat or a rich, elegant sanctuary, these practical suggestions will help you choose colors that create the feel you want for your bedroom.
Can you combine two of the “feels” from the PDF?
Short answer: yes. You can mix two of the five feel-categories (soft and warm, soft and airy, light and airy, bright and cheerful, quiet and calm, rich and elegant), but do it thoughtfully.
If you feel uncertain or nervous about experimenting, stick with one feel. If you want to combine, a safe, effective approach is to use a neutral or softer version of one feel on most walls and introduce the other as an accent. For example, paint the majority of the room a soft beige, then add an accent wall with a deeper, more elegant tone for richness and drama. That gives you interest without visual noise.
Not sure which feel to choose? My default recommendations
If you don’t know what vibe you want, two reliable defaults work for most people:
- Light and airy — Great if you like cooler tones like grays and blues. It keeps the room feeling calm and open.
- Soft and warm — Ideal if you prefer warmer tones like creams, beiges, and sands. It creates a cozy, inviting bedroom.
Ultimately it comes down to what you naturally prefer. Don’t ignore your own taste—choose the side of the palette (warm or cool) you’re drawn to and then pick a feel that matches.
What if your bedroom is north-facing or lacks natural light?
For rooms that feel cave-like or receive muted light (common in north-facing rooms and in regions like the Pacific Northwest), I recommend considering two different approaches:
- Embrace the darkness and go bold. Since the room is already dark, a rich, elegant palette or even a bright-and-cheerful accent can create drama and personality. Paint choices won’t change the light level, so if you want mood and richness, lean into it.
- Brighten with warm, creamy colors. If you prefer to visually lift the room, choose warm creams and off-whites that have a little color in them. These read as brighter and more inviting under muted light. For example, Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White is a great choice for north-facing rooms because it avoids the sterile look of pure white while still feeling light.
One common mistake is picking a stark, bright white in a low-light room—it can come across as too sterile. Add subtle warmth or low-chroma color to avoid that cold, clinical feeling.
Do colors actually change temperature? (Perceived warmth/coolness)
Colors don’t change the actual temperature in degrees, but they strongly affect how warm or cool a room feels.
- Cooler colors and lighter tones (soft blues, pale grays, cool whites) will make a room feel cooler and more refreshing—helpful in hot, sunny rooms.
- Warmer, deeper colors (warm beiges, rich earthy tones) will make a room feel warmer and cozier—helpful in older, draftier homes or cold rooms.
So if your bedroom is always cold, the paint can help create a sense of warmth. If the room overheats, choose cooler, lighter paints to visually cool the space.
Quick practical tips
- If you want to combine feels, use one dominant feel and introduce the second as an accent wall or through textiles and decor.
- When in doubt, start with light and airy or soft and warm depending on whether you like cooler or warmer palettes.
- For low-light rooms, avoid pure bright whites; choose warm off-whites or creams with a touch of color.
- Use color to influence perception—darker, warmer colors make spaces feel cozier; lighter, cooler colors make them feel airier and cooler.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paint for your bedroom is about matching color and feel to the room’s light, orientation, and your personal taste. You can mix feels if you plan carefully (accent walls are your friend), but if you’re nervous, stick with one approach. And remember: paint affects perception—use that to your advantage to make your bedroom feel the way you want it to.
If you’d like a handy guide, download the free PDF “Best Paint Colors For Bedroom Walls” from Trusted House Painter for more examples and color ideas.
