8 Bold Paint Colors You Have to Try in Your Small Bedroom

It’s no secret that we at Apartment Therapy love color, even (er, make that especially) in small spaces. While the rest of the internet might still be spewing the “paint it white to make it seem larger” line, we know that a bold shade can bring energy and a sense of expansion to a modest room. Have a small bedroom and want some paint ideas beyond white and gray? We’ve got you—and your walls—covered.

In the lead image, an eaves bedroom in a Swedish farmhouse, found via the blog Home & Garden, gets a splash of turquoise. It’s a shade that looks great in a light-filled space, bringing a hit of modernity to a traditional space.

Color to try: Valspar Turquoise Tint

A slightly more subdued shade, this teal bedroom from Design*Sponge is just as arresting. A little darker, it’ll work in spaces with less natural light or those that are North-facing, and kept to one wall, won’t suck too much light from the space.

Color to try: Sherwin-Williams Teal Stencil

How’s this for different: a small bedroom with a bold red ceiling, photographed by Magnus Anesund for Elle Interior (via Coco + Kelley). It works here because the rest of the space is kept neutral and the ceiling is high; if yours are lower, go for a slightly less bold shade.

Color to try: Benjamin Moore Flame, which is a similar orange-red.

For a less energetic but still-warm feel, embrace pink. A hushed shade like the one seen here from Farrow & Ball is soft enough that it can go on all walls, yet it still creates an impact.

Color to try: Farrow & Ball Calamine No. 230

I love a kids’ bedroom with twin beds, and even more so when it’s as bold and beautiful as this room from House and Garden. The verdant shade used here was by UK-based Sanderson, but is unfortunately discontinued.

Color to try: Benjamin Moore Vine Green

A deeper forest green, taken from the skirting to the ceiling, is a great look, too. From our very own Small Cool Contest 2015, Melissa’s Lovely Layout shows us how it’s done.

Color to try: Sherwin-Williams Shamrock

Barring the now-ubiquitous dark and inky shades, I feel like we don’t see enough bright blues these days. That’s probably why this cobalt, used in a Homepolish project in L.A., looks so fresh.

Color to try: Behr Mondrian Blue

Is it a color or isn’t it? The opinions may be varied, but black certainly is a bold (and lovely) choice for a bedroom, as Swoon Worthy proves. If you’re feeling this dark vibe, look for a more charcoal, off-black shade to add depth.

Color to try: Farrow & Ball Off Black—one of the most beautiful ones out there

How do you feel about bold bedrooms? Do you have one? What’s your favorite of these shades?

Re-edited from a post originally published 2.16.17