The One Space In Your Home You Shouldn't Be Using Bold Wallpaper

Bold wallpaper — wallpaper that makes a statement with bright colors and big, busy patterns — is a fashionable feature in home design and can easily transform a space from boring to beautiful. Rather than blending into the background (like, erm, a wallflower), bold wallpaper catches the eye and keeps your attention, becoming a focal point of any room it's used in. But while bold wallpaper is back in style and can have any number of uses, there's one area of your home where you should avoid using it: bedrooms.

While screen time from computers and phones before bed can be overstimulating and impact your ability to get a good night's sleep, wallpaper that's too busy can also keep your brain working well past its bedtime. The complex or irregular patterns tends to hold your attention and keep your mind engaged when it should be winding down and resting. Similarly, patterns with warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows are energizing, which works well for rooms intended to be buzzing with activities, such as kitchens, but not so great for bedrooms, where the intention is to calm down and relax.

That said, we certainly don't want to deter you from using wallpaper in your bedroom at all! While super-busy wall coverings can be challenging to incorporate in a bedroom, you can still decorate with interesting, beautiful wallpaper if you keep a few things in mind and be sure that you choose the right wallpaper for your space. You'll want to utilize color psychology, which postulates that certain colors and shades affect our moods and perceptions differently. For a relaxing bedroom that helps you unwind at the end of the day, use a palette of neutral tones such as beiges, creams, and dusty pinks or cool colors such as greens and blues. 

In fact, blue is more than just a unique interior design color trend; it also has a host of mental health benefits. The color blue not only may lower heart rate and blood pressure, it makes you calmer, which is exactly what you're going for in a bedroom. For patterns, opt for simple, repeating designs to create a soothing atmosphere. Botanical wallpapers with unassuming floral designs or murals showcasing natural landscapes in soothing greens can also make a statement while keeping that peaceful ambiance that's so important in a bedroom.

If you do decide to take the plunge and outfit your room in a bold wallpaper, try countering all that stimuli with neutral furniture and neutral bedding. You can also create an accent wall with your bold design of choice behind the bed; from this spot in your bedroom, the wallpaper offers show-stopping drama yet remains out of your eyesight and unable to distract you from sleep while you're lying in bed.