July 31, 2024 7 min read

From your bedroom furniture to light fixtures, a lot goes into creating a beautiful, stylish sleeping space. The color or design of your bed sheets is one crucial component of your bedroom decor and it impacts how your sleeping space looks, feels, and functions. The concept of using patterned bed sheets and solid colors to influence your mood is a smart way to add a unique look to your bedroom’s overall design. Our guide is here to help you choose the right type of sheets for your desired ambiance and style, so read on to learn more about patterned bed sheets vs solid color: creating different moods in your space.

Understanding the Psychology of Colors and Patterns

You might be surprised to learn that there are actual psychological effects behind various colors and patterns, including how they can affect your mood and perception as well as your sleep quality.

White organic sateen sheets Grey Organic bed sheets

Colors and Mood

According to color psychology, different hues can significantly impact your overall mood and perception. Neutral tones and light colors tend to promote calming and soothing effects. Look for bed sheet colors in calming shades of tan, light gray, or sage green to help you feel more relaxed. Colors like a soft sky blue can also help to promote a calming effect. Beige sheets are another good choice if you want something neutral and calming. Remember, you can always add bolder accent colors through artwork, throw pillows, and other items. Darker tones can evoke energetic vibes, like a set of red pattern bed sheets. However, many associate red bed sheets with passion and love, so it’s ultimately up to you in terms of which color bed sheets match your mood.

Patterns and Perception

Aside from the colors for bed sheets in your room, it’s also important to consider whether printed sheets are right for you. For example, a repetitive or symmetrical pattern can create a sense of balance and order to support a calm sleep environment. More intricate, complex bed sheets with patterns can be a bit too overbearing and might make it difficult for your brain to calm down and relax. If you want sheets with designs, consider some with horizontal stripes in soft, warm colors. Floral bed sheets add a whimsical, feminine element to your bedroom style. Choose flowered sheets with a small pattern rather than a large one so they’re easier to mix and match with solid bedding colors.

Benefits of Patterned Bed Sheets

White organic sateen sheets Blue Organic bed sheets

There are so many different types of bedding available that finding the right pattern might be challenging. Here are some of the benefits of choosing patterned bed sheets for your sleeping space.

Visual Interest and Style

Using bed sheets with a unique pattern immediately brings bold visual interest to your bedroom. It also helps you express your unique, individual style while adding a fun element to the bedroom’s design. Instead of plain old white bed sheets, a set of printed sheets adds a dynamic component to the bedroom and brings it a dramatic vibe. Some trendy patterns like slender stripes, ditzy flowered sheets, and geometric designs can bring a dynamic look to make a bold statement.

Mood Enhancement

Aside from the bed sheet color, the type of pattern you choose can impact your mood. Floral bed sheets may bring a cheerful, sweet component to your sleep space that can evoke feelings of comfort from your childhood. Pinstripes add a chic and sophisticated touch for an inviting atmosphere. You can also mix and match patterns for a dynamic look. Try mixing your solid top sheet with fitted sheets patterned to give your bedroom a fun touch. Whatever patterns you choose to combine, make sure they’re in complementary colors so everything blends nicely.

Organic Bedding

Advantages of Solid Color Bed Sheets

Of course, there are lots of advantages to choosing solid-color bed sheets, too.

Simplicity and Elegance

A simple, minimalist-inspired bedroom is a good way to create a relaxing environment conducive to a good night’s sleep. Many interior designers agree that a solid, simple bedding ensemble is not only best for your mood and mind, but also your bedroom’s design in general. Plus, using both solid flat and fitted sheets gives your bedroom a clean, elegant, and coordinated look that’s not too “loud” or too “busy,” making it easier to relax for a great night's sleep.

Versatility and Adaptability

When selecting bed sheet colors, you don’t have to stick to boring tones like white or beige. Try some pale pink bed sheets for a sweet element that adds a cute touch to the bedroom. Solid sheets make it easy to coordinate with other décor elements in the room, too. It’s also easier to mix and match with other bedding like a fun patterned duvet cover. You’ll also have much more flexibility if or when you ever want to change the bedroom’s theme. Sticking to solid color sheets makes changing other things like area rugs or furniture a lot easier to do, since your sheets won’t compete with them.

Choosing the Right Bed Sheets for Your Space

Here are some tips to help make choosing bed sheets for your space easier.

Assessing Your Personal Style

Start by asking yourself a few questions when you’re deciding between solid and patterned sheets:

  • Do you prefer bright colors, neutral colors, or darker shades?
  • Will busy printed sheets affect your ability to get a restful night's sleep?
  • Is your bedroom style modern, minimalist, eclectic, or some other style? Take this into consideration when choosing between patterns and solids.

Considering Room Size and Lighting

Your bedroom size and lighting can also affect whether you should choose patterned sheets or solid colors. Smaller bedrooms tend to look best with solid colors, while larger bedrooms can usually “deal” with the dynamic look of printed bed sheets a bit better. Darker colors also hide stains better than lighter ones, making them a good option for children's bedrooms. As for the lighting, bedrooms with dim, low light may make colors like blue and green appear brighter, while bedrooms with brighter lighting can make cool colors pop. Choose smaller patterns or solid colors in a small bedroom to help it feel larger. If you have a large master bedroom, you can use bolder, bigger printed sheets without making the space feel cramped.

Grey Bedding

Practical Tips for Mixing and Matching

Here are a few practical tips to help you mix and match your bed sheets appropriately.

Combining Patterns and Solids

If you want to blend solid colors with patterns, try a solid fitted sheet and a patterned flat sheet so the solid color serves as the base. Remember, you can also add an accent color or a bold pattern to your bed via a bed skirt, pillowcases, or the comforter or duvet. Remember, with color therapy and color theory, it’s all about balance. Consider balancing your favorite bold patterns with neutral solid colors for a seamless, cohesive look and a color scheme that isn’t too overwhelming.

Layering Techniques

It’s easy to layer your bed sheets and other bedding if you want to add texture and depth to the bed and the room. Put a textured comforter, blanket, or duvet on top of your sheets. Not only is it another layer of warmth, but this bedding does wonders to add texture, too. Pile on the throw and accent pillows and choose styles in various sizes, shapes, patterns, and materials. You can also add some interesting window treatments to bring more visual depth to the bedroom. A set of velvet curtains will bring a lush element and a relaxed vibe to your sleeping space. Even the furniture you choose can make a difference in this room. A rattan headboard is great for a boho vibe, while a lush, padded headboard in a fun color brings the space a funky, modern feel.

Non Toxic bedding materials

Trends in Bed Sheet Design

Just like with fashion, there are also hot trends in bed sheet design, so let’s go over a few of the most popular ones today.

Current Trends in Patterns and Solids

These days, it’s all about coziness, so look for a bedding set featured in soft, calming colors like beige, light green, or even pastel hues like pink, yellow, or blue. Although the goal is to ultimately design a relaxing environment, white bedding is out. While muted, earthy tones are certainly trending, so are bold and funky retro patterns, Keep an eye out for future trends like flowered sheets in vibrant tones and big designs as well as floral bed sheets in smaller patterns, too.

Eco-friendly and Sustainable Options

When you’re incorporating colors into your bedroom through the bed sheets, don’t forget to keep sustainability in mind. Eco-friendly options aren’t just better for the environment, they’re also longer lasting so you protect your investment. Try some gorgeous organic cotton sheets in a soft, solid hue. Organic linen and organic cotton sheetsorganic percale sheets are also a great choice. You can even use organic percale printed sheets to add a fun vibe to your bedroom if you choose. Sustainable materials are hypoallergenic, breathable, and much healthier overall so you get a great night’s sleep every night.

Final thoughts on patterned bed sheets vs solid color

When you’re deciding on a bedding color, keep the options of patterned sheets vs solid color in mind. Have some fun experimenting with different bed sheet styles until you find the design that suits you best. Remember, the material and style of your bed sheets can transform the bedroom’s mood, which can impact your sleep and your well-being, so choose wisely.