How the Color of Your Bedroom Affects Your Life

Anne Schlechter

When picking your bedroom decor, don't go off just looks — if you want to get more sleep or have more sex, that is. A survey conducted by Travelodge revealed that certain shades can stimulate or relax sleepers, and their effects last beyond nighttime.

After polling 2,000 Brits on their evening habits, the hotel chain found some surprising (and slightly wacky) results. Check out their findings, and start planning your makeover accordingly.

Blue

Paul Raeside

If your boudoir is aqua or azure, you probably catch a lot of shut eye — and you're a cheerier person for it. People with blue bedrooms got more sleep than any other color, clocking in at seven hours and 52 minutes per night. It's not just coincidence, either. Specialized receptors in our eyes — the same cells that inform our brain's daily rhythms — are most sensitive to the color blue, according to Chris Idzikowski of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre.

Blue is also associated with calmness (just think of the ocean or sky) and it can lower your heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Unsurprisingly, more than half of the people with blue bedrooms said they regularly wake up feeling happy.

Yellow

Francesco Lagnese

Surprisingly, the second-best color for sleep is yellow. The sunny hue stimulates the nervous system, encouraging relaxation. Plus, the cheery shade creates instant coziness.

Green

Peter Murdock

An earthy green isn't a shabby pick, either. It was the third best color palette for sleep, and 22 percent of respondents who slept in a green bedroom reported waking up feeling upbeat and positive.

Silver

Amy Neunsinger

People with silver bedrooms like the luxurious yet soothing metallic tones, but they can have an unexpected side effect. A fifth of respondents with silver décor said they're more motivated to exercise in their bedroom.

Orange

Thomas Loof

Shades of orange add warmth and create a relaxing atmosphere that can aid digestion – especially if you've eaten a big dinner. The color helps warm and relax body muscles, which is essential to getting a good night's sleep.

Purple

Maura McEvoy

People with purple bedrooms are the least rested of all, getting on average a measly five hours and 56 minutes sleep per night. The rich color is actually very mentally stimulating, making it difficult to switch off after a busy day and potentially causing vivid dreams or nightmares.

Dark Brown

Jonny Valiant

The color isn't as cozy as you think — it can make residents feel isolated, uncomfortable, and restless.

Gray

William Abranowicz

Dark gray isn't a good choice, either. Besides its dreary connotations, the survey found people with gray bedrooms spent the most time online shopping in bed instead of catching up on sleep.

Light Brown

Christopher Sturman

Romantics, take note. Couples who sleep in a bedroom with caramel décor have sex three times per week on average, more than any other color.

Red

Tim Street-Porter

And contrary to popular belief, red bedrooms are actually the worst for romance — these residents reported having sex just once a week.

White or Cream

Victoria Pearson

If you're prone to working overtime, paint your bedroom any color but white. People with a cream or white color scheme will take work to bed with them typically three times per week.

Gold

Francesco Lagnese

It may sound cliche, but bankers and other finance workers were more likely to feature gold décor in their bedrooms. The glitzy metal is associated with wealth for a reason!

By Caroline Picard