Trending Bedroom Paint Colors to Try in 2023—Plus, a Few Painting Techniques That Will Add Major Character

Bedrooms are rarely just for sleeping anymore: They often play multiple roles as a reading room, home office, landing space, and even workout area. But using paint to define your space—whether you opt for a rich, warm color that inspires a cocoon-like atmosphere (just right for a good night's sleep!) or create a palette of complementary hues for different functions—can make this hard-working room one of your most stylish.

"Defining spaces that are used at different times has become increasingly important, so that we can change mood at the end of our working day," says Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow and Ball. Keep this in mind if you're planning on giving your bedroom a makeover in 2023—and be sure to bookmark the defining paint colors and must-try accent techniques that will dominate the design world this year.

Sunny and Warm Shades

Create a warm atmosphere in your room—almost literally—with shades inspired by crackling fires and soothing sunsets. "We still want soothing bedrooms, but there's a need for warmth and refuge," says paint and color expert Annie Sloan, creator of Chalk Paint. "Bedrooms are getting cozier, so look at gentle firelight colors which will glow through winter mornings and reflect summer sunsets fabulously."

Choose earthy, desert-inspired shades like Riad Terracotta, she suggests, for a "sunshiney" space. "We'll be moving away from cool bedrooms to something cozier—a color that feels like a hug," says Sloan.

Neutrals With Warm Undertones

If you aren't ready to embrace bolder tones, look for neutrals with warm undertones. "The transformative power of neutral shades can be leveraged on their own to create monochromatic looks, or can be paired with pops of color to personalize any space," says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. "For example, paired with cool tones, the warmth of Blank Canvas, our 2023 color of the year, creates balance in restful spaces, such as bathrooms and bedrooms. Other great neutral choices are Tranquil Gray and Even Better Beige, a versatile neutral that imparts a warm, distinctive feeling wherever it's used."

Nicole Gibbons, founder of Clare, says clients gravitate towards calming colors, like Chill, in their primary bedroom. "In bedrooms, pretty consistently, people want them to feel really calming—people want their bedrooms to feel like a sanctuary," she says.

Contrasting Ceilings and Woodwork

Since you don't spend as much waking time in the bedroom as you do in a shared space, like the living room or kitchen, accenting woodwork and other architectural elements in your personal oasis with paint can add personality without feeling overwhelming—plus, it's an ideal way to test out new-to-you colors, says Sloan. "Warm colors splashed on structural details—dado rails, painted ceilings, and painted cornicing—will help you play more confidently with less traditional bedroom shades, like earthy Carnaby Yellow," she says.

Rich Reds and Greens

Using deeper tones in your bedroom can help shift your mindset at the end of the day, says Joa Studholme, color curator at Farrow & Ball. "Most of us prefer to be in light rooms during the day and darker spaces in the evening or night, subconsciously working with the natural light," she says. "Warm and earthy colors like Red Earth and Card Room Green will be very popular in bedrooms for those who like to embrace dark, womb-like shades—especially when taken over the ceiling."

These colors are warm, welcoming, and surprisingly easy to live with, says Studhome—they allow for rest and rejuvenation, add intimacy, and connote comfort. One caution: If you opt for a deeper color on the walls or ceiling, avoid bright, contrasting trim that can interrupt the serenity of your space. For these structural elements, a tonal companion shade is best.

Accent Walls

The popularity of accent walls in other rooms may be declining, but they remain a low-investment way to test out a new color scheme—and work especially well in the bedroom, say our experts. "Although the fashion for the feature wall has waned, for those who are wary of using stronger colors in the bedroom, it is best to paint the wall behind your bed in a stronger tone," says Studholme. "This grounds the room and means you don't have to look at it when you are in bed!"

Gibbons also sees Clare customers pairing complementary shades to create their own unique palettes—like Turbinado alongside Like Buttah. "[It creates] a very neutral space, but warmer, richer shades on the back wall gives a little more depth and richness," she says.

Accent Shapes

Instead of painting an entire wall, employ your accent color more intentionally. "Use earthy tones on the baseboards and the bottom 3 feet of the wall, leaving your existing color above," says Studholme. "You will benefit from the new colors when you are lying down, but it will be way below the eyeline when standing up—so much easier to live with! If you have a white room, then you could just use new delicate Tailor Tack, which makes for a warmer space," Studholme says.

Another rising trend is painted shapes, says Gibbons. "People do lots of arches behind the bed," she says. "In those micro moments—where it's not even the whole wall, but more like a shape—we're seeing more vibrant color."