When it comes to picking a new wallpaper or paint colour for our walls, many factors come into play. Some of them are valid questions, like whether the shade matches the rest of the room décor and furnishings, others are a result of personal taste and if the colour in question is on trend. These elements need to play a role in our choices, but we tend to underestimate the profound impact that colours can have on our mood and wellbeing. While making a design decision, it is therefore helpful to have a basic understanding of the psychology of colours and how it can help to put together a bedroom design that creates the emotional impact we hope to achieve.
The basics of colour psychology
To better understand the emotional impact that colours can have on our psychological wellbeing and help us choose the right shade for our headboard wallpaper, we need to first look into the basic colour groups:
- Warms
Associated with passion and energy, they evoke enthusiasm, positivity and happiness. - Cools
Calming and soothing, most of the cool hues are associated with tranquillity, harmony and relaxation. - Pales
Pale colours possess a light, airy quality and help to create an uplifting atmosphere. - Whites
Pristine, essential and pure, these timeless hues are more of a blank canvas that will enable you to express your personal style through other decorative elements. - Neutrals and earth hues
Earthy and neutral colours symbolise neutrality, grounding and balance. - Pastels
They are often associated with sweetness, innocence, and a sense of calm. - Deeps
Luxurious and mysterious they awake emotions, adding a touch of drama to a space.
It is essential to understand how colours from these groups work together when picking both the headboard wallpaper and the right shade for the remaining walls, as they need to match and have the desired impact if you want to obtain a specific atmosphere.
Which bedroom wallpaper colours should you choose?
As the headboard wallpaper will be the focal point of your bedroom, its dominant colour significantly influences the atmosphere. The choice you make should be a reflection of what and how you want your bedroom to be.
- Calm and serene
Soft light blues as well pastel greens evoke a sense of calmness and tranquillity, promoting relaxation, intimacy and emotional stability. - Inviting and cosy
Earthy, warm neutrals, e.g. beige, taupe, or warm grey provide a sense of comfort and warmth, making a space more intimate and adding clean purity and balance. - Luxurious and elegant
Rich and deep jewel colours like burgundy, emerald green, or sapphire blue create a sense of opulence and elegance, especially if complemented by matching furniture and bedding. - Romantic and dreamy
If you are looking for a softer, more female touch, pale pink shades add a touch of romantic charm and femininity to the bedroom, making it feel like a romantic retreat. - Modern minimalism
Go monochromatic with light to dark shades of grey to create a sleek and sophisticated look that works well with contemporary design styles.
Remember that the headboard wallpaper sets the tone for the entire bedroom: pick a hue that also aligns with your personal style and make sure that it matches the existing colour scheme to ensure harmony and balance in the overall design.
How the right headboard wallpaper can help to achieve a biophilic design concept
The growing trend of biophilic design refers to the concept of incorporating elements of the natural world into indoor spaces to enhance well-being and creating a more biologically supportive environment. The goal is to reduce our levels of stress by stimulating our instinctive affinity for natural settings and environments.
Picking a headboard wall décor in natural materials and in softer shades of green (such as sage or mint) can bring a touch of nature indoors. Being the centrepiece of the bedroom, it can set the stage for an interior design concept in earthy colours that mimics natural environments. Choose a botanical or floral pattern to enhance its biophilic effect; make sure that the bed is made of untreated wood and benefits from plenty of natural light. Complete the look with indoor plants and linen bedding, organic cotton or other natural textures.
How to create harmony between the headboard wallpaper colour and the other walls
While being the central focus of the bedroom, a headboard wallpaper doesn’t exist on its own. There are three other walls to consider, especially as they are the ones you will see first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Creating a harmonious colour scheme between the headboard wallpaper and the other bedroom walls is crucial for a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design. To achieve it, you should think about the following points:
- Pick a dominant wallpaper colour
Look at the wallpaper you have picked and select the dominant colour that will set the tone for the entire room. This will be the key shade that will influence the overall chromatic feel of your bedroom. - Select different shades
Add depth and visual interest by choosing different shades of the dominant colour. Lighter or darker versions of the main headboard colour will create a subtle contrast while maintaining a harmonious overall impression. - Balance light and dark
If the headboard wall is a darker shade, consider using lighter hues on the other walls to maintain a sense of balance and prevent the room from feeling too closed in. - Balance with accents
If you decide to go for a cohesive monochromatic look for all walls, you can introduce accent colours through decorative elements such as throw pillows, artwork, and curtains. These add depth and personality to your bedroom while maintaining the overall colour harmony.
Conclusion
Whether it is wallpaper or paint, choosing the wall colour, particularly in the focal place behind the headboard of the bed, is much more than merely a matter of aesthetics and trends. It is an art that can help you achieve the desired emotional impact, aligning with your unique style and harnessing the principles of colour psychology. Whatever vibe you are hoping to impart - be it serenity, intimacy, opulence, romance, or minimalism - carefully consider the concept of colour harmony and its effects on mind and soul. It is your key for creating your bedroom's emotional narrative.