Bathroom Colors: A Guide

Choosing bathroom colors can be fun, and with these simple ideas you can create an updated new look.

What's Your Bathroom Style?

Before deciding on a bathroom color combination, you must first choose a style that will help narrow your options. 

• Modern - This is a sleek look with clean, sharp lines. The modern approach is minimal and uses few accessories. In bathrooms, this translates to glass and chrome finishes with square vanities or above-counter sinks. Colors can be bold and sharply defined.
• Traditional - These bathrooms can contain floral patterns, wood finishes or any combination of eclectic design elements. Colors can be soft or bold depending on the size of the room and style of the permanent fixtures. If you are uncertain about your bathroom style, it is most likely a type of traditional.
• Thematic - If your bathroom has a theme, your guests will immediately know when entering the space. A theme is a cohesive design scheme that is reflected throughout the room to create a visual appearance of a specific place, such as jungle, beach, mountain or spa. Colors in this space will reflect the theme, e.g. green for a jungle, blue and tan for a beach and muted colors for a spa.

Size Matters

When determining colors for your bathroom, the size of the room definitely matters. The amount of space you have will help determine the type of color you use.

• Small to Medium Bathroom - These types of spaces often require softer colors such as lavender, dove gray, peach or pale blue. Do not overwhelm the space with bright, loud colors as this can make the room appear even smaller. Use colors that will enhance and brighten to help create the illusion of more space.

• Large Bathroom - With a large space, you are less limited in your color choices. Try bold, rich colors such as burgundy, gold or deep purple. You can create a powerful visual impact by choosing a strong color in a large space.

Extra Tips

Bring paint samples home. The lighting in your bathroom is different than the lighting in the store or your living room. The only way to know exactly how a color will look in your bathroom is to take the actual paint swatch into the space. It is possible that the soft peach you love in the kitchen actually looks pink in the bathroom.

Purchase a small sample of the colors you like and apply patches to the wall. Look at them during different times of day as natural light comes and goes. Make sure the colors complement each other before you commit to painting large sections.

Stretch your imagination. Go beyond the typical combinations that you have used before. Don't be afraid to pair new colors, such as lavender and khaki. You might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome, and you will have a fresh new look in your home.