What are some good paint colors for a bedroom?

Question

maybe a teenager's room.
(no pink or orange, no dark purple either!)

Answer 1

I sent this answer to someone else who was debating what color to use in a bedroom. It addresses basically what you're asking:
"As an interior designer, my philosophy is to put up whatever color pleases you. In both interior design and fashion (of which I’m also a designer), my personal philosophy is that if you like it, then buy it. Because you’re the only one who’s going to be stuck with it after you get it home and if you bought a color solely on what some magazine said worked or if you bought an outfit based solely on what some Hollywood-type wore, more than likely you’ll hate it in no time and then you’ll be out the money and stuck with something you loathe. Stick with what pleases you, with what makes you happy and it’s sure never to go out of style with you.
I personally love the color red for my dining room, chocolate for my home office and blue for my bedroom because they’re all colors that look good on me and among my more favorite colors, but I also know that they’re not for everyone and not everyone would choose them for themselves. I suggest taking a gander inside your closet and seeing what outfits generally net you tons of compliments. Chances are these are the colors that look best on you. They’re also the colors you should consider building your house’s color-story (a color scheme) around. Because, let’s face it, just as we want to look good in our clothes, we should also want to look good in our homes. Using colors that work best for you will be the best way to achieve this.
If a light color, such as yellow, helps perk you up in the morning and happens to be your favorite color or it’s a color you can live with, then put it on your walls. Remember, you’ll have to wake up to this color every morning. Pick a color that will automatically—just at its very sight—put you in a good mood. But if something dark, such a chocolate, is a color you absolutely love, then use it. Forget what some book says. Do you like it? Then chances are you always will. Just remember that darker colors need a great lighting design (or just make sure you have ample lighting, whether or not you’ve consulted a lighting designer), otherwise the room may end up looking a bit too dark (unless, of course, you want to achieve this dark look because, after all, it is a bedroom)."
For a teen, try getting them involved in the decorating process. Ask him what his favorite color is and try to build a color-story around that color. If building a color scheme isn't something you're too good at, try a decorator trick: go to an art store and purchase the color wheel. Find the color your teen likes on the wheel and try to build a color-story around the colors near it on the wheel.
Here’s the way to build on colors:
- If you want a primary scheme, use colors in the red-blue-yellow family.
- A secondary scheme would be using orange-green-purple (the colors created by combining two of the primary colors together).
- Tertiary (or third) is the color created when using one primary and one secondary color—red-violet, blue-green, yellow-orange, etc.
- A monochromatic scheme would use various tints (the above colors with white added to them) and shades (with black added to them) of the hues above. The best way to achieve depth in a monochromatic scheme would be to mix tints, shades, and various textures (via carpeting, fabric in curtains, bedding, upholstery, etc.).
- An analogous scheme would be taking two or three colors that lie side by side on the color wheel. For example, green-blue-purple. They’re all next to each other and would create a “cool” color-story. Red-orange-yellow would create a “warm” color-story.
- A complimentary scheme means using colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel. For example, a complimentary scheme would be red and green (blue and orange, purple and yellow) because they’re opposite each other on the wheel.
I really hope this helps somewhat. I know it’s a lot to digest, but if you experiment using these guidelines, you’ll see how easy it is to build a color-story just right for you. Just remember that if you stick to a color (or colors) that you like, chances are you’ll always be happy in the room you created.
P.S.: Another trick would be to use something like fabric (or artwork or an area rug) that has the colors you like and pick out one or two colors that you really love in the fabric and put it/them on the walls. This way, someone else has already chosen the color scheme for you. All you have to decide is which color(s) to pull out from the fabric. And don’t forget the ceiling. I know people are afraid of putting color on it, but it is the fifth wall in a room and when it’s left plain white, it’ll detract from the gorgeous color scheme you just created. If you’re afraid of using a bold color, then use a tint of the color you used on the walls. It’ll give color to the ceiling, but won’t overpower it.

Answer 2

Let me tell you a little bit about my bedroom & maybe you can get some ideas from that. I also have a LARGE bedroom with a 'bump-out' room which I use as a sitting room with my tv. I have 3 different shades of a warm, beigey-golden color. The 3rd shade is quite dark & I used it to accent my windowsills & some built in shelves. On the wall behind my bed, which is the largest continuing wall, I sponged & washed all 3 colors. It is beautiful & would contribute to that 'old-world' feel you are going for. As an accent, I also painted 1 wall (behind the tv) in a dark red color. Use a flat paint as a different finish (satin, semi-gloss) would be too 'flashy'. Because you have a large room you can use multiple colors. You don't have to worry about it making your room feel small. My ceilings are also too low for a canopy so what I did is make a swag that goes on the wall behind my bed. I used some inexpensive gauze & it is really impressive. To hang it, I used metal curtain tie-backs. I used the same gauze material as swags on my windows which are covered with blinds to soften the look a bit. It is the second thing people comment on when they come into my room. (The first thing they comment on is the size of my room!) You could use curtain rods but there are several less costly things to use as well. They would be large cup hooks or pvc pipe or a nice decorative curtain rod if you already have one. Because your room is larger than most you can use the darker colors that work well in a goth-inspired room. I would say my look is romantic, dramatic. My advice to you would be to choose colors & items that make you feel comfortable. So good luck & I hope you love your newly decorated room!

Answer 3

I know you said no pink, but I just wanted to suggest this and you can pick your own color scheme:

My 13yr old sister in law reciently painted her room brilliant blue, lime green, and hot pink(more on the pastel end of "hot"). On three of the walls she did individual solids of the three colors and on the third wall, she did a pin stripe about 1" thick each of the colors alternating. IT LOOKS AWESOME! Perhaps a purple, blue and green... Just a thought... It's a really fun room though! Good luck!

Recently remodeled,

Mena

Answer 4

Something sootheing....how about taking a fabric or a piece of art that you like and pull 3-4 different out of the article. Then you will be assurred that the colors will 'go together'. Choose the most neutral in the pallet to do the walls and the others for trim or accessories like throw pillows.

Answer 5

Light blue. It's relaxing. Red is more agressive, yellow sometimes can be depressive like a dark green, but light green is alright. You may contrast two colors, but make it light, cause it's your bedroom and you wanna have a tranquil atmosphere there.

Answer 6

Any pastel would be good for a bedroom. Soft blues and greens are especially soothing and relaxing. Personally, I prefer a light coral or a creamy yellow.

Answer 7

SOME GOOD PAINT COLORS FOR A BEDROOM WOULD BE PASTELS OR CALM COLORS LIKE BEIGE OR PASTEL BLUE AND LIGHT PURPLE COLOR WOULD LOOK GOOD IN A BEDROOM BECAUSE YOU WANT THE ENVIRONMENT TO FEEL CALM, RELAXING, AND COMFORTANLE AT THE SAME TIME........

Answer 8

Faux painting with two colors. Like blue and black. I know it sounds weird but it looks beautiful. Deep and rich so sophisticated

Answer 9

the selling with beige with gold stars, the walls with baby blue with silver stars, do the trim in a peral white.

Answer 10

Duke University Blue!! ( Just like mine! hehe)