Can’t Sleep? Survey Says Your Bedroom’s Wall Color Could Be To Blame

It’s not easy finding the root cause of poor sleep. Factors like unhealthy diet and lack of exercise can play a role, as can sleep disorders like insomnia. If you’ve struggled with sleep for a while, you’ve likely tried every sleep remedy in the book. There’s one more tactic, though, we suggest giving a go: Change the color of your bedroom walls. Findings from a recent survey suggest purple-colored walls yield better sleep.

Diving Into the Survey

A mattress review company called Sleep Junkie published a survey in July 2022 about the best bedroom configurations for sleep. One factor researchers explored was how wall paint color impacts sleep. Of the survey’s 1,064 participants, 84 percent of those with purple-colored walls in their bedroom reported sleeping well most nights. (Three percent of respondents with purple walls were women.) Blue walls came in second with 76 percent of blue bedroom sleepers reporting getting consistently good Zzzs. By contrast, 33 percent of respondents with yellow walls reported frequent poor sleep quality, and brown and beige walls tied at 31 percent for worst sleep quality. 

The Effects of Color Psychology

For this survey, purple is the clear winner. While its researchers didn’t explain why purple-colored walls contribute to higher quality sleep, a concept called color psychology offers some insight. “Color plays more of an influential role in our lives than we realize,” Steffanie Stecker, PhD, licensed psychologist and owner of Mountain Vista Psychology, PLLC, wrote on the company’s website. “It can affect our minds, bodies, and overall mood. How color is perceived is subjective for some, but we have colors that are widely recognized for certain things worldwide.” Dr. Stecker adds that purple is commonly linked to feelings of calm (which is, of course, a prerequisite for high quality sleep), indifference, or sadness.

The London Image Institute notes that the meaning of purple can vary based on its shades. Where darker tones cue power and urgency, lighter shades imply sensitivity, romance, and tenderness. Purple is also historically significant: Within certain cultures, purple has been considered a regal color for centuries.

So, if you’re looking to create the coziest sleep environment possible, this survey could point you in the right direction. Who knew a simple paint job could lead to better rest? Hit the reset button with this decorative change.