Everyone knows that the colors we’re surrounded by can affect our moods. Rooms with lots of soft yellow are often perceived as warm and welcoming, for example, while gray rooms are often cool and neutral. From the pastels in your kitchen to the shades in your workplace, colors affect how we interpret the ambiance of a room and can constantly affect us while we’re awake.
But can the color of a room affect our mood while we’re asleep too?
An investigation conducted by Travelodge attempted to answer this question by surveying over 2000 homes to ascertain how bedroom color played into sleep time. And they found some interesting results.
Want to sleep well? Paint your room blue
People who had blue bedrooms got the most sleep out of any color category (nearly 8 hours per night). The color blue is associated with calm and relaxation, and has even been shown to reduce blood pressure and to relax the mind. That makes for a good segway into a night of sleep!
Yellow and green were also shown to be relatively sleep-inducing colors.
…But avoid that purple decor!
People who slept in purple rooms had the worst sleep quality, averaging just shy of six hours per night. Apparently, this is because purple is a mentally stimulating color that can be hard to tune out when it’s time ot close your eyes and fall asleep.
How does color influence sleep patterns?
It is clear that there is a connection between our eyes and our sleep patterns. After all, our eyes’ perception of lightness and darkness governs our circadian rhythms and signals our body when to wake and sleep. So it makes sense that color can influence our proclivity to sleep.
So if you want to get the best night’s sleep you can, think about adding more than a few splashes of cerulean to your bedroom. And if you want to be productive during the work day, make sure your cubicle doesn’t remind you of the ocean.
Are you concerned that you or a loved one may suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness? Take this quiz and share the results with your doctor.
Other posts you may find interesting:
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- Bedtime Yoga to Help You Sleep
- How Does Sleep Affect Exercise Recovery?
- Watching TV in Bed: The Common Habit That Spoils Your Sleep
- Does Pre-bed Video Gaming Ruin Your Sleep?
Photo Credit: Cape May, NJ by Kathryn Yengel, CC license
Julia Rodriguez
Julia joined Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. in 2011 with a background in sales, marketing and customer service. She is currently the vice president of marketing and operations and enjoys the opportunity to educate and interact with those looking to improve their health through better sleep.
Comments
riru Reply
Posted on March 25, 2017
what about lavender? it’s a shade of purple, but it’s a relaxing color.
Julia Rodriguez Reply
Posted on March 27, 2017
Hi Riru. Good question. I suppose it depends on the shade of lavender- which can range from just a lighter version of purple to a more grayish or bluish tint. The article referenced in this post (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2325476/Want-good-nights-sleep-Find-colours-use-bedroom-avoid-decent-kip.html) suggests that purple is harmful to sleep because it is a stimulating color. If lavender has a calming or relaxing effect for you then it shouldn’t be a problem. -Julia
Gus Reply
Posted on June 07, 2020
Does the shade of blue matter or will any one of them work the same. I’m painting my bedroom soon and will switch from stark white ti a soft powder baby blue. I don’t like to be in deep color rooms of any shade
Same question as gus up here what shades are better for sleep??? The lighter blue or the darker deep blue
Does it make a change???Dan Reply
Posted on October 25, 2020
Blue is a terrible light wavelength to be exposed to before sleep. Google it. Read any study.
This is completely wrong: “The color blue … makes for a good segway into a night of sleep! ”Whoever wrote this is ignorant. Whoever reads crap like this and doesn’t actually do additional research- well, that’s why we live in the world we live in today. But I digress.
If the author(s) of this ‘article’ read my comment: Please. Revise your article.
Lilianne Labbe-Babin Reply
Posted on July 19, 2022
I’ve read dozens of articles that recommend blue for sleep.
JOHN Reply
Posted on December 01, 2020
“Blue light” as a wavelength, particulary emanating from electronics, is a sleep problem.
Blue color on a wall, and our sight of it under normal incnadescent lighting, is not.Health Articles Reply
Posted on August 19, 2021
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Posted on March 02, 2022
The color blue is associated with calm and relaxation, and has even been shown to reduce blood pressure and to relax the mind.
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The article you've provided discusses the influence of colors, particularly within bedroom environments, on sleep quality. As an expert in sleep science and psychology, I have extensive knowledge in this field and can provide insights into various aspects related to sleep and its correlation with colors.
Firstly, the article touches on the impact of colors on sleep quality. It cites a survey by Travelodge that found blue-colored bedrooms tend to promote better sleep due to the color's association with calmness and relaxation. Conversely, purple, being a stimulating color, was linked to poorer sleep quality.
This connection between colors and sleep is rooted in the influence of light and perception on our circadian rhythms. Lightness and darkness perceived by our eyes dictate our sleep-wake cycles, and colors play a role in this perception. For instance, blue is considered calming and conducive to relaxation, potentially aiding in better sleep.
However, comments within the article raise questions about nuances related to specific shades of colors. Some readers inquire about whether different shades of blue impact sleep differently. While some argue that blue light wavelengths from electronic devices disrupt sleep, the color blue in a room under regular incandescent lighting might not have the same effect.
Additionally, there's debate regarding lavender, a shade of purple, and its potential for relaxation despite being within the purple spectrum. Some argue that if lavender has a calming effect on an individual, it might not negatively impact sleep as other shades of purple do.
The expertise in sleep medicine delves beyond color psychology, encompassing various sleep disorders, sleep studies, CPAP therapy, insomnia, sleep apnea, and their management. Sleep experts understand the importance of creating conducive environments for quality sleep and provide guidance on lifestyle changes, sleep hygiene, and medical interventions to address sleep-related issues.
In summary, while there's evidence supporting the influence of colors, particularly blue, on sleep quality, the impact might vary among individuals based on personal perceptions and nuances of different shades. Understanding these nuances helps in tailoring sleep environments for optimal rest and well-being.
