Small homes and studios
Sleeping zone Colour Palette for Small homes and studios
Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.
Explore the ideas
Compare the options
- Set the brief
- Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
- Compare
- Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
- Before buying
- Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example
A bedroom with dark timber furniture feels heavy under warm evening lighting.
Test wall samples behind the headboard and beside the timber at night; use quieter contrast rather than matching the wood exactly.
How to test it
Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Place the bed in the least-through area and use a low or open divider if separation is needed.
- Detail
- Use wall-mounted reading lights and under-bed drawers for seasonal items.
- Trade-off
- A full-height partition adds privacy but cuts light and air movement.
- Check daylight reaches the rear zone
- Test bed access and drawer clearance
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