The new paint colors that help you sleep better and improve well-being – and are psychologist-approved

The concept of color psychology is making waves in the interior design world – and Valspar is the latest paint powerhouse to join the trend. The Sherwin-Williams-owned label has launched The Color Effect, a range of specially curated color palettes that are designed to help you both overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder and get a better night’s sleep. 

The scientific-approved paint idea consists of three palettes: Color for Sleep, Color for Stress Relief, and Mood Boosting Colors for Winter (SAD). Each category includes eight shades with wellbeing benefits, so customers can ‘optimize their homes for calm and restoration.’ This apt launch follows the news that around 40% of adults will experience sleep issues at some point in their lives. 

‘A sleep-friendly bedroom needs to make you feel safe, relaxed and contented, so where better to start than with the color you put on your walls,’ explains Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity. 

‘Often, we associate a calming environment with more muted or pastel colors – and neutrals are great at providing a soothing backdrop – but don’t be afraid to explore darker shades too. They create tempting, intimate interior spaces that you can retreat to.’

Each of the shades is accredited by applied color psychology expert Justine Fox, along with Naomi Pollard, Head of Home and Interiors at Trend Bible. So, you can rest assured that you’re following color trends whilst sleeping in serenity. But how do they work as palettes? Here we break down Valspar’s three selections. 

1. Color For Sleep Palette

With its dark blues, greens, purples, and versatile neutrals, the Color For Sleep palette is the bedroom color idea that not only looks good – but does good too. Valspar hopes the colors will provoke your body and mind to relax and switch off, so you can sleep in a therapeutic space. 

The label suggests choosing their Kindness of Strangers, Gray Berry, Crushed Nutmeg, Indigo Dreams, Ethereal Dance, Sea Crest, Pink Alabaster, and Toasted Beige for an optimum sleep environment. 

2. Color For Stress Relief  

While the Color For Sleep Palette introduces you to nature-inspired hues, the Stress Relief selection continues this further by combining hazy greens, blues, and grays. These colors include Palace Walls, Heather Haze, Quiet Storm, Silver Mauve, Peaceful Soul, Calm Water, Zinc Blue, and Mother Nature. These colors pay homage to the ‘Biophilia’ interior design trend and prompt you to reconnect with nature in your place of sleep.

‘Softly faded and cool greyed colors rooted in the natural world create the perfect environment for us to practice mindfulness, taking a mental pause and quietly focusing on self-care,’ Justine says in her discussion of the palette. 

3. Mood-Boosting Colors for Winter (SAD) 

With the season’s limited sunlight comes more frequent low moods as the production of hormones decreases. However, Valspar’s Mood-Boosting colors are designed to bring joy and positivity while reflecting as much natural light as possible. The shades featured in this pack include Sea Silk, Toque, Teal Time, Golden Sue, Soft Focus, Cozy Glow, Woke Up Like This, and Peach Rose. 

‘When nights get shorter, and the world outside turns cold, our instinct is to draw in and conserve energy. Bringing vibrancy and energy into our spaces using uplifting color goes some way to counteract this feeling,’ Justine explains. ‘Clean, fresh shades are optically brightening and reflective, enhancing the sense of light in any room.’

The science behind a stylish (and serene) bedroom has never felt quite so simple.