When picking your bedroom decor, don’t go off just looks — if you want to get more sleep or have more sex, that is. A survey conducted by Travelodge revealed that certain shades can stimulate or relax sleepers, and their effects last beyond nighttime.
After polling 2,000 Brits on their evening habits, the hotel chain found some surprising (and slightly wacky) results. Check out their findings, and start planning your makeover accordingly.
Blue
If your boudoir is aqua or azure, you probably catch a lot of shut eye — and you’re a cheerier person for it. People with blue bedrooms got more sleep than any other color, clocking in at seven hours and 52 minutes per night. It’s not just coincidence, either. Specialized receptors in our eyes — the same cells that inform our brain’s daily rhythms — are most sensitive to the color blue, according to Chris Idzikowski of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre.
Blue is also associated with calmness (just think of the ocean or sky) and it can lower your heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Unsurprisingly, more than half of the people with blue bedrooms said they regularly wake up feeling happy.
Yellow
Surprisingly, the second-best color for sleep is yellow. The sunny hue stimulates the nervous system, encouraging relaxation. Plus, the cheery shade creates instant coziness.
Green
An earthy green isn’t a shabby pick, either. It was the third best color palette for sleep, and 22 percent of respondents who slept in a green bedroom reported waking up feeling upbeat and positive.
Silver
People with silver bedrooms like the luxurious yet soothing metallic tones, but they can have an unexpected side effect. A fifth of respondents with silver décor said they’re more motivated to exercise in their bedroom.