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Color palettes bathrooms


beautiful bathroom color schemes |

(Image credit: Future)

Bathroom color ideas might not be the first element you think of when planning a new scheme, but it should certainly not be an afterthought. 

A good bathroom color scheme is essential for creating the look, feel and design you want in your bathroom or shower room. And you can use everything from tiles to sanitaryware to accessories to create a unique look. 

Adding a bright and beautiful hue to your bathroom will really lift your whole home, bringing this functional space into line with the rest of your decor. The good news is there are so many bathroom ideas and colors to choose from.

Bathroom color ideas

Don't ignore colorful bathroom ideas when you remodel – they can utterly transform a space. Using bold wall treatments, vibrant sanitaryware, bright flooring and brilliant accessories, we show you how to use room color ideas to refresh your bathroom. 

1. Spark joy with a modern orange

(Image credit: Mark Bolton / Kelling Designs)

Decorating with orange is a joyful way to add vibrancy and optimism to a small bathroom or powder room. ‘It brings warmth and uplifting energy, whether you use it on a whole wall with paint or wallpaper, or bring in pops of orange throughout,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, Kelling Designs. 'I often pair orange with teals and pinks as they work effortlessly together.’ 

2. Use wallpaper to add color

(Image credit: Lucy Barlow)

Some great fabric on a bathroom vanity or bathroom window treatment can also be used to stop a bathroom from feeling miserable. A skirt below a basin might seem granny-ish, but the right choice of fabric, such as a block print in a joyful color that contrasts with the wall tiles, can make it fun. 

If it is a tiny bathroom with the potential for steam build-up, you might want to consider a washable or outdoor performance fabric. I also enjoy using bathroom wallpaper. Most luxury brands make lovely papers in vinyl quality, which are ideal for bathrooms as they won’t peel. Another option is to paint clear varnish over the wallpaper to prevent peeling.

3. Be playful with tiles in a small space

(Image credit: Future)

This artistic bathroom pays homage to the exuberance of artist Sonia Delaunay's work. This bathroom color idea is playful, fun and brimming with creative color combinations.

Sea green, dark blue and creamy white tiles applied in a random pattern create a striking decorative background. The boldness of the red ceramic mirror and black taps ensures they stand out.

4. Drench on the color

(Image credit: Jonathan Bond)

‘We always recommend being adventurous when it comes to color in bathrooms, as secondary spaces they’re a great place to experiment,’ says Lucy Barlow, creative director, Barlow & Barlow . 

‘The color drenching trend is a brilliantly bold technique that can really enhance a smaller room. We went for mustard and pink in this family bathroom because it’s appropriate for a child’s space without being too sickly for any adults who use it as well.’

5.

Introduce a playful spirit

(Image credit: Salvesen Graham)

In this colorful bathroom in the home of Aurelia Skincare founder Claire Vero, Salvesen Graham has expertly worked color and pattern. ‘Picking up a color tone in the wallpaper on the panelling and woodwork is a lovely way to introduce a further element of decoration to a scheme,’ says co-founder Mary Graham. ‘For practical reasons, panelling can also provide additional resistance to everyday wear without diluting the bathroom wallpaper's power to impress.’

6. Start with a mood

(Image credit: Little Greene/National Trust Papers I)

Spending time looking for bathroom color ideas you like can be daunting. Simplify by first asking what you want the space to say. Is this a family bathroom that needs to be practical and sturdy, or a peaceful place to escape to after work? 

Finding the mood first will help you narrow down color choices. Want to relax? Look to pastels and pale blues. Want a pragmatic space? In that case, go for something neutral. This is a good way to narrow down bathroom color schemes from the start. 

The simplest way to add color in a bathroom is with bathroom paint ideas – but you can add character and depth with wallpaper more effectively, even if it's only limited to one wall.

7. Use the color wheel to pick soothing bathroom colors

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Pairing colors in bathrooms can be tricky because space is often limited and so color clashes are highlighted. Take advantage of the color wheel to make things easier. The wheel lets you see at a glance how colors relate to each other visually and has been used in design for generations. 

Opposite colors – say red and green – are complementary, whilst those next to each other – like green and blue – blend. Play around till you find your perfect combination.

8. Stay neutral for easy color scheming in a bathroom

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Neutral bathrooms are classics for a reason. They allow colors to inspire feelings of calm and serenity. But they do need breaking up; you can do this by mixing two different neutrals together. Go one shade darker – grey and white, or beige and brown. 

This is a great way to future-proof your bathroom too, as double-neutrals don’t really go out of style. For a balanced look, paint two-thirds of the room the lighter neutral shade and the remaining third the darker.

9. Use the 7-2-1 ratio

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

If you want to add a splash of color to your bathroom but you’re not sure how far to go, choose three shades – one neutral, one colorful but light, and one bold. Then, divide these across the space with a ratio of 7-2-1. 

So seven-tenths of the room should be neutral, two-tenths lighter and colorful - leaving the final tenth bold. This will add color to the space in a non-domineering and balanced way.

Find three colors which conventionally go together, like white, grey and light green, and swap out one of the colors for a bolder version – lime green, to create a striking 7-2-1 bathroom color scheme. You can see how it works for green bathroom ideas, above. 

10. Start big, get smaller

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

When considering bathroom color ideas, start with the biggest surface first. So begin by painting your widest wall. Then work down to the furnishings, bath and vanity and finally the accessories like the towels, taps and soap dispensers.

Remember the 7-2-1 ratio and combine it with this system of working down. Save the bold colors for the smallest elements of the room.

11. Go dark

(Image credit: BC Designs)

Bathrooms are traditionally seen as white, bright places, but don’t be afraid to go a little darker with bathroom color ideas. A dark color, such as charcoal or indigo, can really make a bathroom pop, especially when used in stark contrast with bright, light finishes. Matt black fittings are becoming more popular all the time, with many of us opting for black and anthracite showers, taps and fittings these days.

Adding another hue to a dark color scheme – a bright green for example – will create a modern, contemporary look.

12. Use patterned wallpaper for the easiest of bathroom color ideas

(Image credit: LYNK Photography)

‘Wallpapering is a great way to stop bathrooms from feeling too sterile and just perfect for creating truly happy spaces, which I believe every bathroom should be,’ says Nicola Harding, owner of Nicola Harding & Co . 

‘Installing half-height paneling helps protect wallpaper from the danger zone, where water is most likely to splash, while also providing another opportunity to add cheerful colors.’ 

Here, the bath is positioned well away from the walls, offering another layer of protection for the beautiful Ceraudo wallpaper. 

If you’re still concerned, apply Polyvine’s Decorator’s Varnish, which can be brushed over wallpaper to prevent moisture ingress.

13. Take advantage of the fifth wall

(Image credit: Mandarin Stone)

While there’s nothing wrong with a plain white ceiling, for color lovers it’s a missed opportunity. In this gray bathroom, the ceiling – known as the 'fifth wall' – is painted in Little Greene’s Yellow Pink, a warm mustard shade that has a cozying effect on the high ceilings, a great look for bathroom ceiling ideas.

Little Greene’s Carmine picks up the pace on the bath, with Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic adding brightness on the shutters. 

‘These colors verge on clashing but, thanks to the subtler wall and floor tiles, they don’t,’ explains Mandarin Stone ’s marketing director Louisa Morgan. 

If you like bathroom tile ideas with textured finishes and interesting shapes, such as the three-dimensional and honeycomb tiles shown above, they are an excellent way of providing enough depth and character. 

14. Subtle but impactful bathroom color ideas? Play with animal prints

(Image credit: Future / Catherine Gratwicke)

From timber grains to tropical patterns, natural beauty has long been a strong interiors trend, but animal prints in particular have found new popularity over recent months.

Fierce and exotic, big cats are the most glamorous creatures in the 
animal kingdom, so no wonder we're adopting their spots and stripes 
this season. 

Leaping into homeware too, there’s a touch of the feline on everything from furniture to flooring, but consider taking it to accessories for a look that can be changed with each trend.

15. Use two patterns in the same color

(Image credit: Nick Smith)

Embracing strong color, when designed as part of the flow of the rest of a home, can produce joyful results, as shown in this walk-in shower idea. 

‘Boldly colored and patterned tiles can add such personality, dynamism and impact to bathrooms, really lifting the space,’ enthuses Caz Myers, director, Caz Myers Design . 

‘While the tiles may be dramatic, the overall scheme can be timeless if you choose a color that truly resonates. Pattern-wise, go for tiles in two-tone repeats, like these modern geometrics, which, even when mixed, work effectively to create a unique and surprisingly restful space. ’

16. Introduce one shot of strong color

(Image credit: Adam Carter)

Color-blocking is a great technique for anyone keen to test strong paint colors without over-committing. An all-out approach, with multiple blocks of undiluted color, often clashing, is popular in modern homes. 

But for a more classical look go for one small, clearly defined block of dramatic color. Take inspiration from the Shaker-style bathroom vanity idea shown above. The orange-toned red – try Andrew Martin’s Tomato Frog No. 52 – provides a dynamic focal point against creamy natural stones. 

Restricting the rest of the paintwork to muted tones makes the statement color feels more impactful. Best of all, small injections of saturated color are easy to update.

17. Make subtle changes

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

There is no need to dramatically change your style; in fact a neutral background can be the perfect base for bringing color into a bathroom.  

A bold bath mat is a simple and affordable way to add color to your scheme in an instant and can be changed to fit current bathroom trends or, if you simply change your mind. 

18. Add a theatrical element

(Image credit: Future / Polly Wreford)

This bold hue is often considered a daring choice for interiors, but used creatively it can introduce a welcome burst of energy and flamboyance, great for master bathroom ideas.

Here, pale aqua makes a wonderful backdrop for vibrant accents of red that have been given a light-hearted, theatrical note using stripes and checks.

19. Introduce a colorful mural with waterproof wallpaper

(Image credit: West One)

In an otherwise plain space, wallpaper ideas such as the mural shown above are one of the most dramatic bathroom color ideas you can go for.

Wall&decò 's wet system wallpapers are extraordinary: impactful and beautiful, they can even be installed over old – even – tiles to create a space with true wow factor.

20. Revitalize a classic theme

(Image credit: Future / Emma Lee)

Breathing new life into the classic coastal look, this blue bathroom idea features a breezy palette of blues, from soft shades of pale sky through to Breton navy, teal and denim. 

For a cozy fisherman’s cottage feel, try a new twist on tongue-and-groove by painting it in a shade that evokes the sea. In this bathroom, the painted panelling and a plinth help define the bathing area. 

21. Introduce interest with wallpaper

(Image credit: Future / Chris Everard)

Mixing and matching delicate designs and bold motifs can have remarkably different effects, depending on how they are used. 

In this inviting bathroom, the block color of the wall panelling and floor allows a wonderfully whimsical wallpaper with a strong motif to shine. Meanwhile, understated border details on the curtain and the towels help to pull the look together for a cohesive feel. 

22. Redecorate in an artist’s palette

(Image credit: Future / Damian Russell)

Minty greens and sugary pinks look fresh and clean, a winning bathroom color ideas combination. Dilute the sweetness with a punch of stronger pink and smart black brassware. 

‘While it’s wonderful that we’re all much more open to using stronger colors now, there always needs to be balance and pale pastels make a great neutral backdrop,’ says Dean Keyworth, director of Armstrong Keyworth . 

Do take advantage of the increased availability of custom-colored finishes, like this striking magenta mirror in a bespoke shade created by Balineum. ‘You may have to pay a surcharge for non-standard colors but it’s worth it to achieve a beautifully balanced scheme,’ adds Dean. 

23. Take a leaf from nature

(Image credit: Future / Chris Everard)

We take a pick of the latest foliage and floral motifs to bring uplifting color and decorative interest to the bathroom. The delicate but impactful nature of florals can add a new dimension to any scheme, from traditional to modern bathroom ideas. Here, a rich tropical-style wallpaper sets a relaxed mood in this inviting space centred on an elegant bath.

24. Be bold with an all-over color

(Image credit: Shutterly Fabulous)

Do you have a favorite bathroom color scheme? Then opt for decorating your whole space in a color that will make you happy day-after-day.

Beloved by ancient Chinese dynasties, the Moors and the Greeks, this enduring blue and white bathroom color combination takes on a fresh, modern feel with the latest indigo and denim tones. 

This en-suite bathroom, with a strong wall color and chequered flooring, echoes the palette of the adjacent room to ensure a unified look. 

25. Introduce exotic botanicals with wallpaper

(Image credit: Drummonds)

Chinoiserie is having a revival and the bathroom is the perfect space to use it. 

Taking inspiration from traditional hand-painted Chinoiserie panels, specialist companies, such as Fromental and de Gournay , and independent designers such as Diane Hill offer bespoke hand-painted designs that are quite simply beautiful.

26. Pick a warm blue bathroom color

(Image credit: Future)

'Warm blue' sounds like a contradiction or oxymoron, but if you are searching for blue bathroom color ideas because you love the shade, bear in mind that those shades with a touch of yellow in them are likely to help the room feel warmer – a must in a room that you want to feel inviting and warm.

'I would only go for a grey-blue in a bathroom that's flooded with sunlight when you're mostly likely to be using the room – or if you're remodelling a house in a warm climate,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'Otherwise the space is going to feel cool and somewhat unwelcoming.'

27. Go for grey, but balance it with warm-looking materials

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

If you are drawn to dark bathrooms, it's really important to contrast the steely gray tones with warmer colors and textures to make the bathroom feel like somewhere you want to spend time in.  

You can, of course, add tiles or towels in warm shades, but grey actually makes a wonderful backdrop to wood and the metallics that complement it, such as brass or copper.

28. Introduce bathroom colors in fabrics and textiles

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

This beautiful roll top bath has been cleverly framed between floor-to-ceiling curtains in gorgeous colors, and the scheme has been further layered with lampshades more commonly seen in a bedroom and a rug that picks out the pink in the curtain fabric. 

It creates not just one of the most truly original bathroom color ideas we've seen, but also a space that invites you to linger.

29. Create a dramatic contrast

(Image credit: Mandarin Stone)

You can use really impactful tiles to introduce color into your space, but take it a step further with bold, contrasting bathroom wall ideas. 

This color-blocking approach is perfect for the bathroom, but keep the tiling very simple, relying instead on tile shape rather than pattern to create interest.

30. Glamorize white with hints of gold

(Image credit: Future / Richard Powers)

You quite simply can't go wrong with white bathroom color ideas, but match it with stainless steel and it can look a little flat and characterless. 

However, swap out the silver for warmer metals, such as antique gold – in taps, towel radiators, bathroom lighting ideas and accessories – and the subtle white backdrop is enlivened, letting the fittings do the talking.

31. Don't forget colorful bathroom floors

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

If you’ve got a wooden bathroom floor, you can really make the space pop by painting the floorboards. Make sure you prime the floor and sand it before adding two coats of paint to each board. This can give your bathroom a rustic, country-farm-inspired look too.

Contrasting color combinations across each board can create a strong monochrome effect. Combine this with a white bathroom and it’s all the color you’ll need.

32. Get confident with subtle color

(Image credit: Future)

This whimsical Ric Rac tile design by Samantha Todhunter for Bert & May is inspired by the Spanish dancing skirts that Samantha used to make as a child. Used here in a diagonal design to create a pretty lattice, in what is described as Bubblegum: a witty clash of color with a chalky red contrasting soft pink. It is a confident look that adds a joyful character to this pink bathroom, working equally well on the wall and floor.

33. Use the same color on walls and ceiling

(Image credit: Simon Brown/Beata Heuman)

In this main ensuite by interior designer Beata Heuman , carrying the same color tones over the fifth wall and other surfaces helps to blur out awkward angles and sloped ceiling lines. 

‘All the walls and the bath are clad in Béton Ciré, which is a micro concrete paste and totally waterproof,’ explains Beata. ‘The idea here was to make the space feel warm and earthy, unlike most bathrooms. The wooden floor continues in from the bedroom, which connects the suite of rooms and also makes it feel more spacious.’ 

34. Contrast color and pattern

(Image credit: Anna Stathaki)

‘I wanted to bring in a tropical feel, as it allows the mind and soul to escape,’ says creative director Eva Sonaike of her C.P. Hart scheme. ‘The combination of green and purple, and texture and pattern, brings a dynamic flow.’ Eva’s own Odi wallpaper goes beautifully with Luminous tiles by Minoli.

35. Go all out with a pattern-filled scheme

(Image credit: IsI Architects)

Busy pattern can prove too intense, especially when embraced on both walls and floor. However, in this Parisian apartment lsl Architects painted the window frame and shutters in the tile’s base color – a calming duck egg blue – to create a tranquil moment amid the kaleidoscope pattern.

How do you add color to a bathroom?

To add color to a bathroom (and personality) try incorporating upscaled period furniture into the scheme, turning an essentially functional room into a more personal space.  

Try combining tile finishes too, mixing and matching both natural and man-made options to add texture and depth to a space.

Gone are the days of carpet in bathrooms. Use tiles, stone or timber to bring texture, color and pattern into the room. 

Try creating a feature wall to add interest. A bathroom will also look lighter and brighter if it’s uncluttered. Fit sockets in the cupboards to charge toothbrushes and incorporate a drawer where the hairdryer can be stored and plugged in.

What is the best color for a bathroom?

If you're pondering about the best color for a bathroom, you've come to the right place.

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in any house, and careful color choices here can go a long way. Although its principal purpose is functional, a bathroom should also be a calm, relaxing and decoratively enticing space.  

Simple, white fixtures and fittings are timeless, but consider making an impact when it comes to surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors, windows and countertops.  

High-quality bathroom furniture adds a luxurious effect, but it is the background elements that really underpin the feel of the space and allow experimentation with color, texture and pattern.

What colors are best for a small bathroom?

Perhaps you have a cozier space, so you're wondering what colors are best for a small bathroom?

If your bathroom is big enough, consider drawing attention to one wall with a vibrant wallpaper, tile arrangement, over-sized mirror or striking bathroom art idea – making sure it is framed appropriately to avoid condensation damage.

Small bathrooms can take bold colors just as well as larger rooms. If you're looking for small en-suite or cloakroom ideas, stick to the same wall treatment throughout. In a larger area, don't be afraid to ring the changes by using dark stone or tiles in a walk-in shower to add contrast and a really stylish impact.

What is the most relaxing color for a bathroom?

In terms of the most relaxing color for a bathroom, it really depends on personal preference.

Color has a huge impact on mood, and bathrooms have a tendency to sidestep polarizing hues in favor of pale neutrals and whites, which are refreshing and easy to live with. 

At the opposite end of the spectrum, darker shades of grey including slate, are also popular for creating a cocooning spa-like effect. 

What are the bathroom trends in 2023?

Bathroom trends in 2023 include Modernist units and bold patterns, which are making a splash in this room just as much as any other in the home – so make sure that yours isn’t neglected.

Bathrooms should be restful sanctuaries as well as utilitarian spaces, and a well-thought-out decorative scheme will reflect both practical and aesthetic elements.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space.  Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

Bathroom Color Schemes To Enliven Your Home

By Stefan Gheorghe | Published on Reviewed by Lance Crayon

Buy Now

Choosing bathroom color schemes is an investment. A variety of bathroom remodel color schemes are available. Give yourself plenty of time to select the right ones. Your time is an investment. When you find what you’re looking for, the experience will be rewarding. 

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National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey found that bathrooms and kitchens continue top the list of the most common remodeling projects. Among all projects, 74 percent were bathrooms while 67 percent involved kitchens.

“As homeowners continue to make modifications to their homes, it’s important that they do their research and hire a qualified professional. Whether it’s a small project or a whole house remodel, a qualified professional remodeler can help homeowners create a space that works for them,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Steve Cunningham.

Top Paint Brands For Residential Bathrooms

Science Of Bathroom Color Schemes

The colors available on the market are heavily trend-driven, which means that while your bathroom may look beautiful, it may lack your personality. By considering color psychology, you may create the appropriate environment in your bathroom. 

Additionally, it will reduce your purchasing options and ensure that your space is ideally customized to your demands. Each color has its implications, which correspond to distinct moods and emotions.

Blue

View in galleryAlexander Julian Estate

When we think about blue, the color conjures images of a clear sky and ocean water. Blue bathroom color schemes evoke feelings of tranquillity, nourishment, and solace. 

Blue is associated with bathroom interiors more than other rooms. A variety of blue tints are available that will give your space a soothing vibe.

Green

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Green is the color associated with nature and tranquility. According to legend, it is the most calming color for human eye exposure and can evoke sentiments of joy, warmth, and even hope. 

Include a green shower curtain, a potted plant, or even some window treatment in your bathroom to create a stress-free and relaxing bubble bath experience.

Orange And Yellow 

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Any of these two colors can add warmth to your space. Additionally, they are colors that convey vitality and confidence, making them ideal for viewing during your morning shower. Caution is advised since prolonged exposure can elicit feelings of anger or irritability. 

A solution to this would be to choose to mix yellow and orange hues into little objects such as towels and storage containers. In this manner, you may give your bathroom an interesting personality without spoiling your mood.

Which Bathroom Colors Should Be Avoided?

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Our restrooms are frequently smaller spaces with a focus on personal hygiene and grooming. Due to the small size of the majority of bathrooms, we want the space to be bright and inviting. Golden browns and olive greens are two hues that work against the grain in the bathroom.

How To Decorate Your Bathroom with Color

Decorating your bathroom space with the right colors is not an easy task, but it’s also not rocket science. 

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One can never go wrong with neutral tones. With smaller bathrooms. don’t be afraid to take chances. Here are a few methods on how you can use color while maintaining a clean, bathroom space.

Bathroom Pattern Ideas 

Bathroom patterns augment your bathroom space. Choosing the right pattern is challenging but also rewarding. Let’s take a look at a few popular bathroom patterns.  

Master Bathroom Color Schemes

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Sweetlake Interior Design LLC infused country bathroom color schemes to create this rustic layout. A herringbone floor pattern makes the space feel bigger. Quartzite countertops, a robust shower space, and a TV makes this bathroom space a desirable destination. 

Double-Sink Bathroom Setup

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A dual sink master bathroom layout from Christen Ales Interior Design. Gray cabinets anchor the white bathroom. Gold-colored faucet fixtures add class while the large mirrors make the space feel bigger.

White Bathroom Color Schemes

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John Kraemer & Sons took advantage of the narrow bathroom space to create a stylish and striking layout. White Quartz countertops compliment a large shower area. The double sink vanity and marble add the space’s cohesive effect.

Black and White Bathroom Color Schemes

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Designed by Lee Edwards, this shower layout features black and white porcelain tile in small hexagon shapes. Quartz countertops and flat-panel cabinets round out the overall layout. 

Bathroom Paint Colors

The bathroom is the most personal space in your home. It’s one room where you never need an excuse to visit. It offers privacy and relaxation.  

Here are a few suggestions for bathroom colors to help you create the ambiance you deserve.

Beige

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Beige bathroom color schemes provide a calming effect. This Japanese Zen bathroom features light wood hues and green accents for a sharper image.

Feng shui bathroom color schemes offer a soothing aesthetic. You’ll notice how a window sits in place of a mirror, providing a connection to the outdoors. A cool tone is achieved with light beige walls and a black jade wash basin. Meanwhile, wood accents offer warmth and contrast. 

Taupe

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Taupe is the best neutral color for bathrooms. Gray and brown colors add a contemporary twist to this timeless layout.

Taupe comes in a variety of shades. Consider a brighter taupe shade and pair it with a purple base to add classic color decor to your bathroom. 

Light Blue

View in galleryChristopher Rose Architects, PA

When we talk about this color, we’re referring to that stunning shade of blue that you can see when you look up into the sunny sky.

A spa-like ambiance can be created by painting the walls a light blue, but the same effect can also be achieved by painting the accent walls a similar shade of blue. For a somewhat more muted variation that evokes tranquility, choose a version with a gray foundation.

Pistachio

View in gallerySusan Jay Design

This color injects a burst of vitality into your space without becoming overpowering. It complements bright white accessories, resulting in streamlined and sophisticated bathroom décor. 

Creamy White

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This timeless shade of white gives a touch of warmth to a cooler, darker area. This stunning neutral goes with softer accent hues like light pink, lavender, or vintage-patina metallics.  

Charcoal

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If you want a more dramatic bathroom appearance, use charcoal. It’s a darker, more elegant counterpart of gentle gray. While it is slightly deeper in tone, it contains warm tones, making it flexible. 

Light Green

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Light green is a soothing color that contributes to the cooling effect of an extremely bright room. This tint pairs well with other natural earth tones, such as sand and taupe.

Waterproof Paint For Bathrooms

With the matte-finish style continuing to grow in popularity, bathroom paint may be the answer to the décor conundrum of which type of paint to put on your bathroom walls. 

Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and other major paint manufacturers have created bathroom-specific paints that contain antimicrobial ingredients that inhibit the growth of mildew and mold, bathroom paint is waterproof in this regard.

While your bathroom paint may be resistant to mildew and mold, it will not be completely impervious to the impacts of its moist environment.

While utilizing a specialized bathroom paint is beneficial, the most effective approach to “waterproof” your bathroom’s paintwork is to forego the on-trend matte and start looking for glossy or semi-glossy finishes. 

Preserve the matte finish and minimize moisture by ensuring that your bathroom has an exhaust fan for optimum ventilation.

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Bathroom Design Color Schemes for 2022

Here are the latest color schemes for bathroom designs and remodels.

Cream 

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A cream and white bathroom color scheme offers a country farmhouse vibe. Bathrooms weren’t traditionally colorful spaces. If your bathroom is traditional, you might enjoy a neutral color scheme. Cream and white tones offer a relaxed and traditional feel.

Cherry Red 

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Glossy red wall tiles and red bath mats are a cheerful and bright way to add spunk to an otherwise white bathroom. The color scheme invokes a hospital environment. It emits a clean and germ-free aesthetic.

Amaranth

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It’s a hot color right now, and for good reason. Amaranth is not pink, it’s not red, but it’s a beautiful, rich cross between the two that is neither too frilly nor too masculine. The unexpected coordinating shower curtain and cabinet doors reveal the power of color accents.

Mint

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Fresh and unfailingly cheerful and white make a surprising color scheme. In tiny bathrooms, where every square inch matters.

An encompassing small-scale wallpaper print in the color scheme breaks the solidarity of the walls and makes the space feel larger. Flanking silver and white sconces heighten the space’s appeal.

Pale Blue

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The colors here create a warm, traditional, and serene environment. Pale blue and white as a popular color combination. As a bathroom color scheme, it brightens the space with natural light. 

Coastal Blue

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There’s something fresh about the color combination of coastal blue and white. This is evidenced in a bright, sparkling bathroom. Mosaic tiles around the bathtub are the clear highlight of this gorgeous spa-like space.

Midnight Blue 

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You could substitute many dark, dark colors in for the midnight blue and still have a striking bathroom color scheme. We like this midnight blue, with all of its subtle tonal variations in different lighting – greens, blues, greys, and even blacks are all evidenced here, set off by the contrasting white tiles and fixtures.

Gray

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This classic color combination works well for a color scheme for any style of bathroom – from the very traditional to the contemporary. 

Subway Tiles

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A more traditional black and white bathroom, with subway tile walls and black-and-white tiled floors.

Rustic Blue

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Notice how the wood mirror frame gives this bathroom a rustic look. As a color accent, orange is the ideal choice against a light blue backsplash. White trim, cabinetry, and a raised wash basin complement the light blue color scheme. 

Charcoal Gray 

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Modern and sexy, this color combination adds an almost romantic vibe to the bathroom. White bathroom fixtures enhance the minimalist design. The contemporary space and contrasts against a moody hue.

Lavender 

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The sleek, contemporary lines of a modern bathroom are a lovely juxtaposition to the sweeter bathroom color scheme shown here. A retro feel comes through in the large-scale wallpaper, adding plenty of visual interest while not taking away from the important architectural details.

Rose Pink 

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If you’ve got yourself a house with a circa 1950 bathroom, you might be quite familiar with the rose pink tile conundrum. You don’t have to rip it all out to have a chic, contemporary bathroom. Simplify your storage and wall art and update your porcelain fixtures, and maybe you’ll learn to love the blush hue like your grandmother did.

Tiny Bathroom Color Scheme

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White and more white. Bathrooms are notoriously white, at least to a degree. Rather than fighting against this fact, maybe a good idea is to make it the entire crux of your bathroom color scheme. 

Men’s Bathroom Color Schemes

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A geometric tile floor adds warmth and personality without taking away from a white bathroom color scheme. {simonkennedy}.

White Bathroom Design

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It should come as no surprise to anybody that this gorgeous doorless shower comes in its white-and-white color scheme. Love a wooden accent or two.

White Bathroom Remodel

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Creamy whites are the foundation in this traditional bathroom, warmed up with some tasteful antique accessories and simple but sophisticated window treatments.

Cherrywood

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No, we’re not just talking about components of an ice cream sandwich. The rich tones of a chocolate brown bathroom make even a smaller space feel simultaneously cozy and luxurious. Breaking up the expanse of brown with a geometrically patterned bath rug is a good idea, as is using colored cream tiles between the mirrors.

Turquoise, Pink, And Gold

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Boho bathroom chic colors are fun. With bathroom remodel color schemes, think outside of the box. Before begin painting, determine if the juice will be worth the squeeze. There’s nothing wrong with going over the top as long as you don’t embarrass yourself.  

Traditional White

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Green, white, and wood…with a touch of red. Found paired in nature constantly, kelly green and wood tones are a match made, well, on earth. Plenty of white space in this bathroom makes the colors themselves pop, and some well-edited splashes of red bring the bathroom alive.{smithandvansant}.

Red Brick And Forest Green

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This rustic, traditional farmhouse-bathroom style looks friendly and inviting, thanks to the generous use of warm, earthy tones. Brick tile variations do not overwhelm but provide a soothing atmosphere. 

Red, White, and Black

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Sleek and urban, this color combination works in the contemporary bathroom as well as in other spaces. White grout defines the black tiles, and red plumbing casings set off the unique black fixtures. {a3design}

Pink, White, And Black

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Dressing up a color that can often read as juvenile or girly isn’t hard to do with some black accents. A black framed mirror that mimics the pink damask wallpaper, for example, does wonders in transforming the space into one for grownups.

White And Gold Bathroom Colors

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The epitome of luxury, gold decor touches add a gorgeous element to a soft cream bathroom. Metallics used in this way work best when kept to individually slim profiles, so as not to overwhelm the space or appear gaudy.{architecturaldigest}.

Black 

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While “light” isn’t necessarily a color, it’s used fantastically here as a component of the overall bathroom color scheme. Black walls, floor, and ceiling create a cozy surround of a bathroom space, but exposed hanging light bulbs and undermount lighting add ambiance. 

Gray Neutral

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Varying shades of the same color, such as this bathroom’s warm grey color scheme, provides depth and visual interest while keeping the room cohesive and soothing. Plenty of reflective surfaces keep the organic color scheme from feeling somber.{garyleepartners}.

Black And Gray

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This traditional bathroom gets a contemporary twist with a counter sink and classic details. Pale grey marble countertops and tile add a seamless cohesion to the entire space, while black cabinetry grounds it all.

Striped Wall Paper

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Vertical striped wall paper will make a tiny bathroom seem bigger. A black and white color scheme would be your safest bet.

Concrete Gray

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With bathroom remodel colors, neutral and gray tones offer contemporary flair. In this example, the space follows a brutalist aesthetic. Gold color accents like the free standing bathtub faucet and gold shower door handle provide enough character. 

Strong Contrasts

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Eclectic interiors have lots of character and feature ways to pair materials, finishes, shapes and colors which would otherwise clash and look less great together. Strong rustic accents can be complemented by clean and minimalist contemporary elements to create a unique design.

Vibrant Green

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Designed by Cobalto Studio is. It’s a green oasis with unexpected features and a beautiful layout. Glossy moss green wall tiles are complemented by matte white and light gray surfaces. Dark wood color accents give this area a lush, refreshing, welcoming feel.

White Marble With Black Accents

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Marble works in any bathroom. It’s versatile and timeless. In this bathroom by studio SJB, white marble was used for the flooring, walk-in shower, countertop, lower half of the walls. For greater visual interest, designers chose black as the secondary color.

Light Green 

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Palette materials, colors, finishes and textures are featured in this master bedroom. An ensuite bathroom transforms the spaces into a cohesive pair. Designers Chan and Eayrs add a unique layer of beauty and elegance to the space.

Soft Ivory

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White bathrooms are the standard. The spaces are elegant and sophisticated when following a minimalist aesthetic. Studio Gorman designed this interior with white surfaces and soft ivory tones. 

Bathroom Color Splashes

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Incorporating multiple colors into a room’s décor is a lot of fun and a great way to give it a unique vibe. This is especially true for bathrooms which don’t offer as many customization options as other spaces. Interior design studio Resident Avenue gave this bathroom an accent wall covered in multicolored tiles which turn the vanity corner into a beautiful focal point.

Patterned Wallpaper

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A powder room offers character. Thanks to the elegant wallpaper and wood, the space is balanced and organic. The combination of colors allows the otherwise simple pedestal sink to stand out. Created by Meredith Kleinman Design studio.

Warm Wood Accents

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The ruggedness of the unfinished walls in this bathroom is complemented by the soft lines of the clawfoot tub and the warmth of the solid wood vanity. Additional accent pieces such as the corner pendant lamp add a boho chic vibe. 

Dark Blue

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Dark colors are often avoided in interior design and bright nuances are preferred instead for their ability to make small spaces appear large and airy. However, sometimes it’s good to embrace the darkness, as demonstrated by this sumptuous bathroom created by Doherty Design Studio. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

What are the best colors for a small bathroom?

There are plenty of different colors that work well in a small bathroom, such as soft pink, mellow purple, or dark eggplant.

What colors are popular for bathrooms now?

For a modern and soothing bathroom, you can choose colors such as charcoal, pistachio, or taupe.

What colors go together in the bathroom?

Neutral hues can be paired in a bathroom, just like yellow and orange.

Bathroom Color Schemes: Wrap Up

Bathroom design color schemes run the gamut of remodeling options. Whether looking for white master bathroom ideas or completing a beige tile bathroom makeover, you’ll discover how the experience is rewarding. 

Bathroom color palette

Color plays a decisive role in interior design in general, and especially in the bathroom. Regardless of the chosen style, the result largely depends on the optimally selected color palette.

Aesthetics are becoming increasingly important in bathroom design, the disadvantage of which is that the available space is sometimes not enough for the flight of design imagination. But that's what makes the bathroom the perfect laboratory for experimenting with the transformative power of color.

Indeed, due to its psychological properties, color has the ability to change the visual appearance of space and affect our mood. Thus, it is one of the most key factors in creating the desired atmosphere in the bathroom - whether it be a luxurious interior or a place for serene retreat.

Steps to create a color scheme
  1. Decide on a goal, how you want your bathroom to be. You also need to think about whether the bathroom will match the color scheme of the rest of the house or if you want to move away from the general palette and create a special atmosphere.
  2. Choose the main color that will be the most in the interior of the bathroom. The general recommendation is to choose a neutral color, although this rule can be broken. It is important that the base color is combined with the rest of the shades of the color scheme, enhancing and emphasizing them.
  3. Specify the colors that will complement the base color. You can choose a calm monochrome range or create a contrasting palette that will look perfect in interiors designed to make a strong impression. Using contrasts is a bold and daring option that will enhance each of the colors and help to accentuate certain areas of the bathroom as opposites reinforce each other.
  4. Remember that visually dark tones move forward and light tones recede, creating depth of space.
  5. Use colored blocks to highlight areas such as the bathtub or sink to focus and draw attention to a particular area of ​​the bathroom.
  6. You should be guided by the resulting color scheme when choosing plumbing.

Bathroom color examples

  1. Neutral and soft color combinations

Creamy white, beige, smoky grey... neutral colors speak the language of understated and accessible elegance, and create a feeling of serenity in the bathroom. Clean and aseptic, simple yet sophisticated.

By reflecting light, light colors expand the boundaries of small or windowless bathrooms and add depth to the space. At the same time, white is one of the most timeless and timeless colors, which has always been an integral element of bathroom design.

But this color has an infinite number of shades.

The use of pure white fills the space with clarity, order and light. This is one of the shades that have a huge ability to visually enlarge the space.

The light colors of the marble finish give the bathroom a luxurious and upscale look.

Creamy white combined with warm tones to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Tono Collection

2.

Black and White Color Schemes

Nothing looks as bold as black in interior design. The combination of black and white is a classic that was made popular by art deco and black and white geometric compositions of the twenties of the last century.

Black and white in the bathroom creates a sense of security and sophistication. However, it is also a very bold combination, and the inclusion of black "spots" in the bathroom requires special art to create a harmonious effect.

Round

3. Tandem black and wood

All have long been accustomed to the Scandinavian style that has become a universal fetish, which combines white color and wood, and we offer to pay attention to attention on the trend of combining wood with black. A bathroom full of authenticity and sophistication. If black is responsible for elegance, wood refers to the original noble materials, enhancing the warm atmosphere so much needed in the bathroom.

Essence C bathroom cabinet

In combination with metallic finishes of bathroom fixtures, such as copper, you can create a natural and sophisticated interior.

Lignage

5. Earth colors

Earth colors are a return to nature. We suggest adding sand and terracotta to your natural color palette to create a warm and inviting bathroom. You can use sand or creamy white to create depth in the space, and then add elements in terracotta to add dynamism to the space.

Set up lush potted plants for a beautiful classic atmosphere.

Round Inox

6.

Cobalt Blue

The combination of cobalt blue and white has become a classic. This is a serene and elegant combination.

Lounge

7 To begin with, two complementary colors are chosen that go well with another pair of complementary colors. This combination has a rich and complex color structure as color vibration relationships are activated by complementarity and harmonic relationships are enhanced.

For these properties to have the correct effect, you need to match the colors by saturation to create a hierarchy between them. It is necessary to use one color in its pure form, another with medium saturation, and the other two with low saturation. It is recommended to add white, gray or black to balance the influence of other colors by strategically placing the colors in space.

Color palette for bathrooms and toilets. How to choose a color? Projects.

When choosing a color for a bathroom, the same principles apply as when choosing a palette for other rooms. Consider personal preferences and make adjustments for the size of the room and the overall color scheme of the apartment or house.

When developing an individual project, the designer will proceed from your wishes, correctly select additional shades and place accents.

All photos: interiorcom studio projects. Copying without the permission of the studio management and indicating the source will be considered a copyright infringement. You can see the projects in full in the section: Portfolio.

Basic rules for color matching

Most apartments, even from modern developers, cannot boast of very spacious rooms of various shapes, high ceilings and windows in the bathrooms. Most often it is an ordinary deaf rectangle with modest dimensions. In this case, you should be careful trying on bold interiors from glossy magazines.

Bold interiors in everyday realities can be called solutions with very bright saturated colors - black, red, burgundy, purple, fuchsia. Of course, you can find a compromise when the accent color scheme will look good in a small bathroom, but it is much more difficult to do this, and the risk of making a mistake and getting a different result at the end increases significantly. Especially if you do repairs yourself, without consulting with a specialist.

Calm and traditional combinations will become more acceptable - light, white, pastel, beige, blue-blue. White interiors look great with rich and bright colors.

The main task of the designer is to find a balance by adding interesting color notes or fashionable dark tones, but not overloading the interior.

The possibilities of the color palette

With the help of color, you can correct the features of the room - minimize or almost completely hide imperfections, emphasizing the advantages. This is achieved not only by the choice of color, but by an integrated approach - the right color scheme, auxiliary shades, accents, furniture and layout.

Bright and dark colors require space. Intense reds and deep blacks will make a small bathroom even smaller, and a dark ceiling will sink even lower. Even with well-chosen lighting and various scenarios, the bathroom will be dark and uncomfortable. But the same colors and combinations will play in a completely different way if there is a larger footage, or, for example, a window and natural light.

Light colors, on the contrary, can visually expand the space, make the ceiling higher, and make the walls part a little. If you fill the interior with bevelled mirrors, use diagonal tiling, replace ordinary furniture and plumbing with “floating” installations, and even highlight them with LED strip, then even a small bath will seem more spacious and comfortable.

Natural accents

Any color can be used in decoration, if it is prepared and presented correctly. For example, black or gray graphite will look completely different if you introduce it into the interior as a natural texture. Marble or porcelain stoneware large-format panels in combination with decorative LED lighting fit perfectly into the ideology of the bathroom. You can also use dark plumbing instead of classic white.

An interesting and fresh solution for the bathroom is wood finish. In this case, both real panels and tiles that completely imitate the color and texture of natural material can be used. Bright accent tones can be introduced as decor. Several items or textile elements will color the interior, fill it with mood and character.

In addition to imitating natural materials, you can complement the interior with stabilized, artificial and live plants. A phytowall or vertical gardening with moss will look very organic.

Lighting

Be sure to consider different lighting scenarios when thinking about your color scheme. Using the same lamp, but with lamps of different color temperatures, you will get different bathrooms. Modern LEDs can work both in cold and white scales, and in warm lamp ranges. A competent combination will allow you to turn the bathroom in the morning into a very bright, strict and stylish room, and in the evening, after a hard day, into a cozy and homely one, with soft relaxing lighting.

In addition to the central chandelier, be sure to use additional lights in the area of ​​the sink and the main mirror. You can also highlight the bath area. Decorative LED lighting can be made adjustable, and the change of programs - colors, glow intensity - can be done using the control panel.

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