What's the worst bed sheet color to choose? Our sleep editor advises on a better choice

The bed sheet color you choose can completely change the look of your bedroom. Opting for fresh white sheets will keep your room looking clean and bright, blue contributes towards a feeling of tranquillity, and purple can inject opulence into an otherwise plain room. If you're not planning on painting your walls anytime soon, getting some colored bed sheets is a simple way to style your space. 

The right bed sheet color can also help you sleep. Yes, light, cool colors can be problematic at night, by alerting your brain and keeping you awake, but they are also the most breathable. Dark, warm colors can help you wind down, but they're also prone to trapping heat. 

As a sleep editor, I've been sleeping under piles of the best bed sheets of all different colors and patterns. After plenty of testing,  interior designers have confirmed my conclusion that you should stay away from red bed sheets (of all shades). 

What is the worst bed sheet color?

The worst color is red. Unless you want your bedroom to be incredibly intense, then you should stay away from red. The walls are one thing, but especially on the bed, red creates a bold, energizing atmosphere, which is exactly the opposite of relaxation. As Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight agrees, 'the vibrant hue of red has a stimulating effect, which may pose challenges in maintaining sleep.' 

In one test, I found that red bed sheets kept me up at night. I normally have no problem sleeping, but the bright red of the polyester set I was testing had me wide awake. Studies have also shown that 'red is such a powerful pigment that it can provoke passion or anger,' adds Kropovinsky. Even if it's only used as bed sheets, 'intense colors can be too invigorating for a sleep environment, hindering relaxation and tranquility.' 

You'll notice most direct brand-to-consumer bedding brands don't sell red bedding and for good reason. Most red bed sheets are only available through cheaper retailers and in low-quality fabrics like polyester. 

Artem Kropovinsky

Artem Kropovinsky is an interior designer and founder of Arsight, a NYC-based interior design studio that is specific in its truthful approach to connecting the imperfect with the sleek and innovative workflow. We work on residential and commercial spaces.

The bed sheet color you should choose for a great night's sleep

Generally, it's advisable to stay away from overly vivid or striking shades. Instead, Kropovinsky suggests 'opting for subtler tones like blue, green, or light gray to create a serene and soothing bedroom ambiance.' 

I found light gray to be the best bed sheet color. After trying lots of calming shades, a pale gray made me feel the calmest and looked the most glamorous in my bedroom. While obvious, traditional white is amongst the bed sheet colors to avoid, off-white colors or a shade towards gray are not as bright or stark. They relax the mind rather than stimulate it. Light gray is also the easiest to wash, as you won't have to worry about a vivid color bleeding or white staying bright. 

These are the light gray bed sheets I'd recommend buying: 

FAQs

Choosing bed sheets should take more consideration than just the color. In fact, material and bed sheet type should come first. Bedding material can make all the difference to how comfy you are in bed, and how your room looks. You should also check thread counts and keep your budget in mind.