Vibrant colors have their time and place, but in a truly cozy bedroom, you want to err on the opposite end of the spectrum. Light, soothing shades are best, as these convey the type of mood that you want to invite into your space. Don’t be fooled, though — you aren’t limited to just a few select colors here. You’ll find an entire rainbow of hues from which to choose. Some are airy and ethereal, others are crisp and fuss-free. You might even prefer to incorporate some combination of the two.

Your color palette also extends beyond your walls. It’s everywhere you turn — the shaggy rug on the floor, the throw pillows artfully positioned on the bed, the bedsheets peeking out from beneath your quilt, the bunch of flowers perched on your windowsill. Color defines the room and captures a certain spirit, so it’s important to choose wisely. Consider these options for wall paint as you begin the process of refreshing your room.

• Soft White: Fresh and timeless, soft white can transform a small bedroom by lending it a more open appearance. The type of white you choose here is important; avoid anything too “crisp” or sharp, as these can appear jarring in a space that lends itself to a cozier feel. Soft whites are more buttery or golden in their undertones, making them more fitting for the type of vibe you want.
• Sky Blue: Cool, relaxed sky blue evokes the serenity of a relaxing beach getaway. This tranquil color is inherently peaceful, something that calls to mind a sense of peace. It’s soft, never jarring, and it’s versatile enough to combine with darker shades of blue for sophisticated contrast.
• Blush Pink: If you lean more in the direction of lighter hues but don’t want to use white, blush pink makes a wonderful alternative. It’s gentle and composed — the type of color that sets the tone for the room, yet also pairs well with other colors like gray or sage green, for intriguing visual impact.
• Muted Gray: If you can’t quite pick a color or you’re certain you want to incorporate a multitude of tones into your bedroom, you might be best off with a muted shade of gray. It’s fresh and effortless, but most importantly it’s inherently simple. It essentially creates a blank canvas onto which you can incorporate other colors to bring your perfect palette to life.
• Pale Yellow: A restrained yellow is a beautiful choice for a cozy bedroom because it inspires a sense of vibrance, minus the harsh intensity of the sun’s bold rays. It’s a balancing color, inviting the beauty of Mother Nature inside your home, yet never venturing into the extremely bright territory. It’s also a great excuse to incorporate golden accents into your room.
• Sage Green: Green reflects the wonder and beauty of the great outdoors. While there are many shades, it’s sage that offers the most calming effect for a bedroom. It’s light and tranquil, capturing a sense of earthiness that grounds your living space. It also complements natural elements in the room, like potted plants, beautifully.

In a cozy bedroom, the last thing that you want is to overwhelm the room with jarring lighting. Harsh overhead illumination will take away from the mellow quality of the room, so it’s important to create a lighting plan that doesn’t rob the room of its delicacy. Creating the right ambiance with lighting begins with the right types of fixtures.

Instead of positioning lights overhead, set the tone with lamps that create a fainter and warmer glow. A tall floor lamp set in one corner of the room will brighten that area, for example, while another set on your side table keeps your bedside aglow. You can also implement task lighting throughout the room, which brightens up the spaces where you might perform activities that call for some extra focus, like putting on makeup or working at your desk.

To contribute to the coziness of the space, try a single pendant light above your desk for a quietly elegant touch. Wall sconces can also convey a similar vibe. Look for thicker shades for all of your fixtures, as these will help diffuse the lighting a bit better and create softer and less intense lighting overall.