The Energy of Color in your Bedroom

Color is a vibration of light.  We can see color because light vibrates at a rate that is slow enough for our eyes to process it. Color is energy. 

When you wear it, eat it, and surround yourself with color, it impacts your emotions.  The energy of color can enhance or deflate your sense of peace, romance and sensuality. 

Vision: When you are clear about what you want, it is more likely to become a reality in your life. 

What is my vision? 

Close your eyes while lying in bed and see what color comes to mind. Imagine the walls of your room glowing with a color that makes you feel exactly how you want to feel. What color is it? 

When you think of the most amazing color in your soul, what comes up?  

If you have a partner, what colors do each of you like?  

What energy do you want to surround you in the bedroom?

If you could describe a range of emotions you would like to express in the bedroom, what colors would those emotions be? 

Observation: When you can 'see' what story your space is telling you about your life, you can begin to make positive changes.   

What in my life/space is out of alignment with my vision? 

When your space is out of alignment with how you really want to feel, it can cause undue irritation. Taking time to create a bedroom space that is aligned with how you want to live your life during your intimate and rejuvenating hours will provide the respite you need. 

When you walk into your bedroom at the end of the day, how does your bedroom make you feel?

What words would you use to describe it?  

What words would you like to use to describe it?

Alignment: Open your imagination and create ways to align your space to your vision. 

What can I change in my space to change my life? 

Are your walls currently bland in color?  If you can’t paint, try using colorful fabric as wall hangings or curtains.  If you can paint, try some test paints to see if you might like them.  Here are our rules for picking color: 

Color is a commitment.  Color is a personal statement about who you are. It can reflect what you want to express about yourself and your personal style. When you are feeling alive, vital and successful, you are more likely to paint your space in vibrant, warm or sophisticated colors (coral, purple, terracotta, turquoise, yellows).  When you are feeling flat, or when you are in transition or in an in-between space in your life, you are more likely to paint in neutrals or non-committal colors.  When you are going through a phase in your life when your focus is inward, you are more likely to paint in subdued colors or cool colors (gray, ice blue, whites, pale greens) that have less energy.  

Where are you on the color commitment scale?  Are you in need of vitality?  Are you feeling flat? Or are you in need of some retreat time in your life? 

Color is changeable.  While it takes time and energy and a little bit of money to change your paint colors, it is the least expensive decorating trick there is!

Color is alive and can match our life rhythms.  Paint colors imbue a type of light and color into a room in various ways throughout the day and night.  Lighting changes color dramatically. You can choose one paint color, and depending on the lighting it can become 10 different colors! Color can set the mood in your bedroom.

What type of mood would you like to create? 

Color is personal.  There are many books on the market that tell you which colors will elicit specific emotions.  While there are facts behind these notions, you must also consider your personal association with color.  Maybe you hate pink because somewhere back in childhood your mother made you wear pink all the time.

On a healing note, if you 'hate' a color, consider the potential opportunities for using color to heal a past issue.  You may want to take a deeper look at your feelings about certain colors and see if you can re-associate that color with a new memory.

Action: Use your space to unleash your inner designer and create change in your life. 

How to do it:

Painting with color is a process.  Go to a local paint store and pick out color swatches that inspire you.  Take them home and see how they look in your space. If you decided to test a paint color or two, follow these rules: 

• Be sure to test paint before you buy paint!  We’ve seen so many people make the mistake of buying gallons of the wrong color!  Buy the smallest sized test paint container available (some paint brands offer small sample paint jars; some offer poster board with pre-painted color; some only offer quarts. We always tell our clients to prepare for approximately $100 in test paint before painting (this is for at least a three-room color scheme).
     
• Paint two coats of a two foot by two foot square on the wall and watch how the color changes throughout one full day (24 hours).  Color changes as the lighting in the room changes. 

What do you do with paint you don’t want?  Sell it on craigslist.org, give it to a neighbor, use it for base paint in your garage, or donate it to a local cause. 

Add color with textiles. Shop online or in your local bedding retailer for bedding colors that inspire you.  If you can’t paint the walls, try to find sheets and additional bedding in the color that inspires you.  If you are unable to find the color that you want, look online. There are many resources out there that potentially offer more color options than your local retailers have available. 

Did you know that colors for your region are selected by consumer profile and environmental and buyer demographics?  If you live in the Northwest and don’t find what you like, try shopping in Florida and see what colors they offer! 

•  If you are unsure about color, try buying sheeting or fabric in the color you like.  Tack it to the wall and see what you think.  This is an inexpensive way to test your color tastes. 
• If you want to create a sensual bedroom, try romantic colors such as purples, shades of rose, soft pastels, and deep reds (but don’t overdo red—it can create hostility). 
• If you want to create a calming and peaceful bedroom, try soft blues and greens and pastels.  A little bit of color calms the nervous system.  A lot of color activates it. It is important to go back to your vision and get clear about what range of emotions you want to experience in your bedroom and then experiment with different colors. Have fun and trust yourself. 

If you are learning to express yourself, try bolder colors in your bedroom and see how they make you feel. Don’t be afraid to express your inner self through color in paint, bed linens or curtain fabrics. Go for it!

Here's the thing about color: 
No two people see color exactly the same way.  This is especially true for men and women. So try not to get frustrated if your mate doesn’t like the color you pick!  Try another color close to the one you like and see what happens.

Now go forth and utilize this knowledge to make your bedroom and authentic representation of your energetic self!

Recommended Books 

Color Energy: How Color Can Transform Your Life, Cristina Bornstein and Anthony Gill
Color Healing Home:  Improve Your Well Being and Your Home Using Color Therapy, Catherine Cumming
Colors for Your Every Mood: Discover Your True Decorating Colors, Leatrice Eiseman
Color Book: Use the Healing Power of Color to Transform Your Life, Inger Naess
The Complete Book of Color Healing:  Practical Ways to Enhance Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being, Lilian Verner-bonds
The Complete Book of Color, Suzy Chiazzari

Want to discover your Space Personality and create a home environment that is more YOU?

When you know who you are, you can create a space that reflects your unique style, values, interests and your life goals. Your space is your mirror and it tells a story about you. Take this free quiz to learn your Space Personality Style and turn your home into a living vision board for your dreams.