Design: Restful, relaxing color palettes for the bedroom

It's the room where you spend the most time. Granted, most of that time is spent sleeping, but at the end of a long, tiring day, you want a pleasant retreat. A soothing bedroom can recharge your body and lift your spirits. Picking the right color combinations is the best and easiest way to create a relaxing, restful bedroom you'll love.

Green scheme

Another color that's both fresh and refreshing is known as chalcedony, a paler and bluer green than sea foam or mint green. Try pairing bed linens in chalcedony against a beige backdrop for sweet and peaceful slumber.

If this look is too pale for your tastes, go for a fern green and pair with a medium brown. Want a more exciting option? Pair green with pumpkin.

Feng shui

If you're a follower of feng shui, you can choose to harmonize your bedroom colors. According to feng shui principles, skin tone colors are the most restful and best for both rest and romance. These shades can range from pale ivory to deep chocolate, from pale yellow to ocher, or pale pink to rosy pink.

Red typically isn't recommended for a bedroom because it can be too stimulating for proper rest. Instead, consider pairing up rosy pink with a deep beige or pale brown, or ivory and yellow.

Great grays

Gray can be both cool and warm. The deeper shades create a cocooning effect. Paired with ivory, orange or ocher, they create a soothing new look that will take you from winter into summer. Gray walls add a sophisticated, urban vibe.

Instead of contrast, you can also coordinate your grays. Pair various shades from deepest gunmetal to pale dove gray on sheets, for example. This look is chic and very restful. Or, perk things up with a shot of orchid. The gray will keep the brighter hue from being overpowering.

Designers say

A cursory review of decorator color picks basically puts pastels and pale shades at the head of the color pack. Lavender, khaki, ivory, sky blue and dove gray are all mentioned again and again. And maybe that's for good reason; none of these colors is too stimulating, and linens can be swapped out seasonally to create a sense of contrast.

Bedroom blues

There's little argument when it comes to the universal appeal of the color blue. But you don't have to settle for one standard, overall shade. Pair with another color to keep things interesting. Blue with purple is a fresh combo that's both restful and stylish.

If you favor a lighter shade, like lavender, try pairing it with a deep shade of blue. Blues with chocolate are another trendy combination, especially when the blue leans toward the gray scale.