Optimizing your sleep environment is integral to getting the best rest possible. Part of that is keeping clutter out of your room, and choosing the best mattress and pillow for your sleep position and style.
But did you know that bedding color can also contribute to how you feel in your sleep space? In fact, there’s one in particular color that luxury hotels opt for time and again because it has such a big impact on how well you sleep.
To find out more, I spoke to industry experts. And since I’m a fan of recreating hotel-style luxury on a budget, I’ve also rounded my top recommendations for affordable bedding sets in the Labor Day mattress sales.
What bedding color do hotels use and why?
“Colors influence the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode). Softer, cooler colors help que the brain to wind down, while bold or warm hues stimulate alertness,” says Dr. Carolina Estevez, psychologist at Soba New Jersey.
While there is a wide array of options to choose from, top tier hotels almost always opt for white bedding. Here’s why:
1. It reduces visual stimulation
If you’ve ever felt relaxed when stepping into your new hotel room, the bedding could be part of the reason why.
According to Dr. Estevez, white provides a neutral, uncluttered backdrop that reduces visual stimulation which helps guests shift into a state of calm.
Similarly, experts encourage to reduce clutter when setting up your bedrooms because it helps prevent sensory overload. It’s all about creating an environment that, just like a winddown routine before bed, helps your body and mind understand that it’s time to rest.
2. “Universal trust signal”
Using white bedding is one way a hotel can signal their ability to maintain the highest level of cleanliness for each new guest, since using it makes it hard to hide any stains from previous room occupants, or signs of poor cleaning.
Suze Dowling, linen expert and co-founder of Pattern Brands, the parent company of the bedding brand Miracle Made explains that, when it comes to bedding, “white is a universal trust signal,” as “guests can see instantly that it’s clean.”
Plus, it’s easier to clean effectively. “Housekeeping can launder at high temperatures with bleach without worrying about dye fade,” Dowling adds.
3. Make the space appear bigger
According to Matthias Silverton, interior styling and brand consultant at TheSnugCo.com, hotels also use white bedding to help brighten up the room and make it seem larger.
“White acts as a massive reflector of light, making the room feel larger, airier, and more open, which is a huge psychological bonus for guests at no extra cost to the hotel,” he explains.
That’s why white bedding can add a sense of luxurious spaciousness to your bedroom, akin to what you’d experience in a premium hotel room.
