Too light, too dark, too plain, too bold – these are the bed sheet colors to avoid, according to experts

You wouldn't think it, but the color of your bedding can make a major difference to the look and feel of your bedroom. Too dark, and you'll create the impression of a small, enclosed space: too bright, and you risk overstimulating your senses when you're trying to sleep.

I asked an expert panel of interior designers and sleep scientists to identify bed sheet colors to avoid. Common culprits include millennial gray, bright red, and deep brown, but I was surprised to see so many people speaking out against classic white bed sheets in favor of more muted tones.

Ultimately, which bed sheet color you choose is a matter of personal preference. So, to give you options I've picked out three sets of the best bed sheets that come in the widest range of colors.

Bed sheet colors to avoid – according to experts

Dr. Leah Kaylor, a licensed psychologist who specializes in sleep, told me that the wrong color bedding can wreak havoc with your hormones: specifically, melatonin.

'Melatonin is the sleep hormone,' explains Dr. Leah. 'Exposure to certain colors can suppress its production, making it harder for you to fall asleep. For example, pure blue and bright cyan mimic blue light exposure, which can disrupt the circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin. Neon colors and bold hues can increase alertness and physiological arousal, interfering with sleep onset. Bright white can mimic daylight, reducing melatonin levels and tricking the brain into staying awake. That's why some people say you should never use white bed sheets.'

Instead, Dr. Leah suggests some bed sheet colors to improve sleep: 'the best colors for melatonin production are soft, warm neutrals. Taupe, beige, and muted pink promote relaxation and do not interfere with melatonin production.'

According to Artem Kropovinsky, principal interior designer at Arsight Studio, the color of your bedding makes a big difference to your bedroom lighting. Brighter colors are better for reflecting light, which should make your bedroom look and feel bigger.

By contrast, Artem says that 'black, deep brown and dark purple are the worst colors for light reflection. The absorption of light by these dark colors results in a smaller and more enclosed appearance of the room. These colors generate cozy feelings, yet they don't create an airy or spacious feel.'

I asked Parima Ijaz, the designer behind the luxury bedding brand, Pure Parima, which bed sheet colors are going out of style in 2025. She says that 'millennial gray and other cool-toned neutrals are fading from bedroom trends, making way for warmer, more inviting hues. Once a staple for minimalist and industrial aesthetics, stark grays, crisp whites, and steely blues are being replaced by rich earth tones, including taupe, warm beige, terracotta, and muted olive.'

'Overly dark and moody palettes are softening into cozy shades, inspired by nature,' Parima continues, 'while pastel blush tones are evolving into deeper, more grounded clay and coral hues. This shift reflects a desire for comfort and personality in home design, moving away from sterile, detached spaces toward warm, organic, and emotionally rich environments.'

With that said, you can find ways to make any color work in the bedroom, if you use your imagination. Interior expert at Furn, Anna Jones, wants to champion the color red as the base of your bedding.

'Bright red is a bold choice for a bedroom,' acknowledges Anna. 'While red was a more popular choice for bedding in the early 2000s, it has gone out of style over time. Brash tones of red are known to make people alert, stimulate the mind, and even raise blood pressure − so, not the ideal choice for a relaxing night's sleep.'

'However,' Anna argues, 'when used a little more sparingly, the right shade of red can have a more cocooning effect. Think along the lines of burgundy and beetroot, two colors that are very on trend right now. Warm-toned reds are also often used seasonally in bedding around Christmas time. Red absolutely has its place in the bedroom, when used correctly.'

FAQs

Which color bedding is worst for showing stains?

'Light sheets, especially white or pale shades, tend to show stains as well as wear and tear more easily,' says Parima. 'While lighter shades are a bit more flexible since they can be bleached or treated to keep them looking fresh, they will undoubtedly present any stains much more loudly because of the contrast.'

'That being said, really dark colors like black and navy can show dust and hard water stains,' Parima continues. 'I recommend treating any and every stain properly before tossing in the wash to ensure stain-free linens.' If you still can't make up your mind between light versus dark bed sheets, you should consult our expert guide.

How are bedding trends evolving?

'Cool gray and stark white were once dominant in modern bedrooms, but now they are seen as too sterile,' says Dr. Leah. 'They are being replaced with warmer, earthier tones.'

'Where dark purple was once considered regal, now it can make the room feel outdated and overpowering,' Dr. Leah continues. 'While beige remains a staple monotone color, but this trend is being replaced with warmer layered neutral like taupe, soft clay, and greige.'

Choosing the wrong color for your sheets is one of the biggest bedding mistakes you can make, second only to choosing the wrong material. I've outlined the bedding materials to avoid so that you can skip the cheap sheets in favor of fabrics that suit your sleep style.