Creating calming and inviting interiors isn’t just about the furniture and decor—color theory and choosing calming colors play a significant role in a room’s overall mood and aesthetic. Choosing the right colors is an important place to start if you want to invite some calm and relaxing energy into your home. 

From tranquil blues to earthy greens and versatile neutrals, here are 25 calming colors to use in your home.

Navy Blue

Blue is widely regarded as one of the most calming colors for interiors, and navy blue tops the list of the most popular shades for calming spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s even been named the “most calming color in the world,” according to a study called The World’s Favorite Colour Project. As a result, it’s a great color to use in the home when you’re looking to create a relaxing and serene space.

Light Muted Blue

On the other end of the spectrum, light blue is also an excellent option for calming interiors. Stick to shades of light blue that are muted in tone rather than bright and vibrant. Pastel blues and blues with silvery undertones are ideal for creating a relaxing ambiance.

Blue-Gray

Similarly, shades of blue with gray undertones (think slate blue) have a naturally calming effect on interiors. These earthy tones pair well with various colors and can even act as a neutral depending on the intensity of the color. 

Baby Blue

Baby blue is another great option in the blue family. It’s richer than most pastel blues and can lean towards feeling childlike and playful. This typically makes it a good option for children’s bedrooms and nurseries, but it’s also popular in bathrooms. Don’t let this deter you, though—as with any color, with the right design, you can make it feel sophisticated too. If you love baby blue, go for it.

Lavender

Like its namesake flower, lavender is a soothing color that evokes calmness. It is a light, cool purple that can be found in various shades, from muted and earthy to vibrant. As with most colors on this list, sticking to the muted shades is an excellent way to guarantee the finished look feels relaxing, but it’s hard to go wrong with this gorgeous purple hue.

Mauve

Mauve is a pale purple color that usually has pink undertones. It’s earthier and more muted than shades like plum or eggplant but a bit deeper than shades such as lilac. Thanks to its earthy appearance, it has a calming effect when used in interiors. Darker shades of mauve will give off a moody feel, while lighter shades will result in a space that feels serene.

Purple-Gray

If you’re a fan of purple but want something a bit more subdued and neutral, then a purple-gray shade may be just what you need. This grayish-purple tile backsplash by Jessica Nelson Design helps create a calming and sophisticated kitchen space that we love.

Eggplant

Eggplant can be a tricky color to pull off if you’re going for a calming effect, but when done right, the results are stunning. The key is to play into its naturally earthy and muted tones—pairing it with other calming colors, natural textures, and materials. This will keep it from feeling too elegant and stiff, as demonstrated in this mudroom by Whittney Parkinson Design.

Forest Green

Aside from blue, green is consistently named one of the most calming interior colors. That being said, there are many shades of green to choose from, and not all are ideal for creating a calming space. One foolproof choice, though, is deep and muted shades of forest green. True to its name, this earthy color brings a forest’s tranquility and peace into your home, creating an instantly relaxing space.

Sage Green

Soft and inviting, sage green is a popular choice in interiors right now, and it’s not hard to see why. This subdued shade has warm undertones and isn’t too vibrant, making it perfect for spaces where relaxation is key, like bedrooms, bathrooms, nurseries, and more.

Olive Green

Warm, dark, and muted, olive green is a popular green shade ideal for calm spaces. It pairs well with numerous color schemes and looks great in any space. It’s a truly versatile and foolproof choice.

Green-Gray

Mix nearly any color with gray and it’s instantly made more relaxing and subdued. Green is no exception. The gray undertones help this green act like a neutral, meaning you can go all out with this versatile shade or opt for a few touches here and there to bring in a touch of color. Stick to lighter shades for a relaxing and tranquil feel. 

Seafoam Green

Seafoam green is a cool shade of blue-green with gray undertones. It can be found in various shades, from vibrant and peppy to muted and earthy. If calm is what you’re going for, stick with the lighter and more subdued shades, as demonstrated in this powder bathroom by Studio Peake.

Light Gray

When it comes to calming colors, nothing quite rivals neutrals, and gray is one of the most popular and timeless interior options. Keep things airy and bright with a light, soft shade of gray. While gray-on-gray interiors may get a bad rap right now, you can make any gray interior feel instantly modern by opting for warm shades of gray and mixing in plenty of other coordinating neutrals and contemporary metallic finishes.

Medium Gray

Similarly, you can’t go wrong with medium gray shades. While light gray will leave the space feeling bright and airy, medium gray invites a more tranquil feel. These darker shades of gray can be brought into a room through accents, or you can go all out and try a color-drenched look for a moodier look.

Dark Gray

Speaking of moody, don’t be afraid to go dark with gray. Dark gray is great for a bold, sophisticated, and relaxing space. Pair it with brass finishes for a chic and modern look. 

Mushroom

Not to be mistaken for taupe, gray, or beige, mushroom is a stunning and sophisticated neutral that is naturally calming and soothing. While you can find various shades of mushroom, it is typically described as a light brown or beige shade with gray undertones. It can also have secondary undertones such as yellow, red, green, and purple.

Taupe

Taupe is another great earthy neutral color that is known for being calming in interiors. It is a predominantly brown color with gray undertones that tend to be medium to dark-toned. It’s a popular choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and any other room where relaxation is desired. Occasionally, you’ll find taupe shades that have secondary pink undertones.

Brown

Earthy tones are ideal for creating calm spaces, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t include brown on this list. A truly timeless color, brown can be used in so many different ways in your interior, with endless different shades to choose from. It’s hard to go wrong with brown, but if you plan to go all out with this color, incorporate several shades and tones to provide some contrast and visual interest.

Beige

If you’re not sure about brown, beige is another natural choice. This light neutral pairs well with nearly any color and looks great on its own, too. Incorporate it as a part of a broader color palette or make it the focal point of the space.

Off-White

Interiors featuring pure white can seem cold and sterile, which is why off-white is a better choice if you want a calm and inviting look. There are endless shades of off-white, but as a general rule, it’s best to stick to warmer options rather than cool off-white tones.

Cream

Similar to off-white, cream is a great choice for calming interiors. It tends to lean a bit darker and more yellow-beige than most off-white shades, which can help distinguish the two very similar colors.

Soft Yellow

Generally, yellow is considered a cheerful and energizing shade, but it can also have a calming effect when done the right way. The key is to stick to soft, muted shades and not overdo it. For some, yellow can be anxiety-inducing in large quantities, so be mindful to introduce it into your space in small doses.

Light Pink

Like yellow, pink can be playful and energizing or calm and subdued, depending on the shade. For a more relaxed look, opt for light and pastel pink colors that are muted or have earthy undertones.

Muted Medium Pink

Light pinks aren’t the only option. Another option is to choose muted, medium shades of pink. The trick is to introduce them in small doses into your space while featuring other calming colors alongside them. Too much pink can result in an energizing space rather than calming.

FAQ

What color is most calming?

Blue is widely considered one of the most calming and harmonious colors, specifically navy blue. Navy blue is a popular choice for bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms and pairs well with various colors and design styles.

What is the most calming color palette?

Blues, greens, and neutral colors like off-white, beige, taupe, and brown are all considered some of the most calming colors for interiors. Color palettes featuring these hues are a great place to start if you want to create a calm and relaxing space.

What color is best for bedrooms?

The best color for bedrooms is one that evokes feelings of calmness and relaxation since these shades can help you unwind at the end of the day. Blue, green, earthy neutrals, and other calming colors are all excellent choices.