The bedroom should be a place of restoration, somewhere the mind can relax and the body can properly rest. Colour has a profound influence on how we feel in a space, particularly at night. At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we believe that the right colour, made from the right materials, can transform a bedroom into a truly calming retreat. Colour affects the body as much as the eye, shaping how we feel, rest, and respond to a space. Strong contrasts, harsh whites, and synthetic pigments can overstimulate the senses, even when we think we have “got used to them.” Subtle, nature-derived colours, on the other hand, work gently on the nervous system, encouraging relaxation rather than alertness. Bedrooms benefit most from colours that feel grounded, muted, and slightly complex — hues that echo the natural world and shift beautifully with the changing light of day. Soft greens for calm and balance Green is one of Edward’s favourite hues — it echoes nature and brings a sense of restorative calm into bedrooms. Pea Green brings a gentle freshness to the bedroom. It is uplifting without being stimulating, a soft, natural green that feels calm and reassuring on waking and at rest. Verdigris is deeper and more enveloping, drawing on historic copper pigments to create a grounded atmosphere that suits bedrooms where a sense of warmth and retreat is desired. Pea Green bedroom. Credit: Sarah Francis Kelly. Strawtop Cottages Pea Green detail. Credit: Sarah Francis Kelly. Strawtop Cottages Verdigris. Credit: Number One Bruton. Photography: Emma Lewis Gentle and serene pinks and neutrals Soft, warm neutrals help bedrooms feel calm and grounded — ideal if you want a gentle, enveloping space. Lilac Pink is a soft, understated shade that brings warmth and quiet elegance to a bedroom, gentle enough to feel restful rather than decorative. Jonquil, a muted, sun-warmed yellow, adds a subtle lift and sense of optimism, particularly lovely in bedrooms that benefit from a little extra light and warmth. Lilac Pink 60%. Credit: Jessica Adams Interiors. Photography: Alexander James Photo Lilac Pink 60% on walls. 100% on cupboards. Credit: Jessica Adams Interiors. Photography: Alexander James Photo Jonquil. Credit: Lee Lovett, Soho Lighting Company Calm blues and subtle tones Blue and muted hues can slow the eye and help lower stress, they are lovely for a peaceful sleep environment. French Blue, with its warmth and depth, is particularly well suited to north-facing rooms, where it brings balance and avoids feeling cold. Ethereal Blue is lighter and more delicate, making it ideal for south-facing bedrooms, where natural light allows its airy softness to shine without becoming washed out. For more inspiration on painting with blue, read our blog about how to paint with blue hues. Ethereal Blue. Credit: Carlos Garcia Interiors French Blue. Credit: Lorfords Antiques Cosy earth tones for warmth and depth If you want a bedroom that feels cocooned and grounded, warmer earth tones can work wonders — especially paired with natural fabrics and soft lighting. Drenching the colours across the ceiling and woodwork adds additional cosiness as perfect illustrated here by the bedroom in Trumpington by Anna Hewitson Design. Tempted to drench and want some ideas, check out our blog that covers all your drenching queries. Trumpington. Credit: Anna Hewitson Design Trumpington. Credit: Anna Hewitson Design Colours featured in this article Pea Green Order a Sample Lilac Pink Order a Sample Jonquil Order a Sample Ethereal Blue Order a Sample French Blue Order a Sample Trumpington Order a Sample Request a free colour chart Sleep Easy A restful bedroom is not just about the paint colour, but also about what those paints are made from. Many conventional paints contain synthetic chemicals and plastic binders that continue to release toxins into the air long after the paint has dried. At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, our paints are made entirely from natural ingredients, with no VOCs or petrochemicals. The result is cleaner indoor air and a healthier bedroom environment, so you can truly relax and sleep easy. Can’t decide which colour to choose? Don’t lose sleep! Explore bedroom images in our online gallery. Our colour consultants are on hand to guide you, or you can explore at home by ordering our A5 colour cards or a sample pot to see how the shades behave in your own bedroom, when you go to bed and when you wake up.
Pea Green brings a gentle freshness to the bedroom. It is uplifting without being stimulating, a soft, natural green that feels calm and reassuring on waking and at rest. Verdigris is deeper and more enveloping, drawing on historic copper pigments to create a grounded atmosphere that suits bedrooms where a sense of warmth and retreat is desired.
In Celebration of Cuisse de Nymphe Emue: a timeless heritage paint colour Cuisse de Nymphe Emue is our bestselling dusky pink. A colour created by Edward Bulmer after visiting Petworth House and seeing a similar hue in the family rooms, he knew that it was a colour that would be popular and he was right! We believe its popularity is due to its warm tones and versatility. Explore the joy of this perfect pink.
Discover the new ‘Forever Favourites Collection’ Create a scheme from one room to your whole house with soft colours that work together effortlessly ensuring tonal flow and harmony. Our 12 best loved shades together in one pack. Discover the power of natural paint today.
Colour is King: Edward Bulmer’s first interior design book In his very first book published by Rizzoli, The Colourful past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House, Edward takes readers through the keyhole into his most memorable work in some of Britain’s finest buildings, including: Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home, the Prime Minister’s official country residence, Chequers, Goodwood and Pitshill House, as well as his own Queen Anne House in Herefordshire.
The Great Mughals: art, architecture and opulence This major exhibition at The Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the extraordinary creative output and internationalist culture of the Golden Age of the Mughal Court. Painted in an array of colours from our natural paint range to complement the art works.
Heritage colours for south-facing rooms: natural paint ideas for UK interiors The arrival of sunnier days, lighter evenings and bank holidays encourage us to spring clean. There is no better time to give a room a fresh coat of paint and the south-facing room is a great place to start. At this time of year they are filled with natural light during the day as they benefit from the lovely spring sunshine. This consistent brightness offers more flexibility in colour choice than north-facing spaces, but we recommend selecting shades that complement the natural light for the most harmonious effect.
Stay Cool and Chic this Summer with Mondo Corsini If you like us are forever searching for beautiful clothes made from natural materials then you may have already discovered the timeless designs by Mondo Corsini. From the pages of our favourite weekend supplements to the grids of fashion icon Laura Fantacci and sustainable champion Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey it is a brand that we have been coveting for some time.
