Having a bright, yellow bathroom can feel overwhelming or dated. Whether you’ve inherited a yellow bathroom or just want to tone down the existing color, there are easy and affordable ways to give your space a fresh new look. In this article, we’ll explore why you may want to tone down a yellow bathroom, provide tips on how to do it through paint, tile, accessories, and more, as well as suggest color schemes that work well. With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can transform your yellow bathroom into a relaxing oasis.
Reasons to Tone Down a Yellow Bathroom
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to tone down or update an all-yellow bathroom:
– It feels outdated – Vibrant, all-yellow bathrooms were popular in decades past, like the 1950s and 1960s. Updating the color can give your bathroom a more modern, relaxing look.
– The yellow is too intense – Bright yellows can feel energetic. While this works well in some spaces, like a kitchen, it can feel overwhelming in a small bathroom you want to feel peaceful.
– It looks dingy – Over time, the yellow color may start to appear dingy or faded. Freshening up the color makes the space look cleaner.
– It doesn’t match your taste – Styles change over time. If you’ve inherited a yellow bathroom, you may want to adjust the color to better match your personal taste and decor.
– Small space – Small bathrooms can feel even more closed in with bright, intense yellows. Toning it down helps make the space feel bigger.
– Too much yellow – If every surface – walls, tile, accessories – is yellow, it can be visually overwhelming. Toning it down adds balance.
– Want a new look – Even if you don’t dislike the yellow, changing the color scheme is an easy way to give your bathroom a mini makeover.
Painting Over Yellow Bathroom Tile
One of the easiest ways to tone down a yellow bathroom is to paint over any yellow tile. Here are some tips for doing it right:
– Clean the tile – Give tile a good scrubbing with an all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt, grime, soap scum and anything else that could get in the way of paint adhesion.
– Remove caulk – Use a utility knife to scrape out all old caulk from tile grout lines. You’ll replace it after painting.
– Sand glossy tile – If existing tile has a shiny finish, sand it down with an orbital sander to help the paint adhere properly.
– Prime the tile – Apply a primer made for tile and glass, like KILZ Adhesion High-Bonding Interior/Exterior Latex Primer/Sealer.
– Paint with bathroom paint – Choose a semi-gloss or high-gloss latex paint made for high humidity spaces like bathrooms. Apply two coats.
– Recaulk – Once painted, use a silicone caulk to fill back in the grout lines. Smooth with a fingertip.
– Add sealer – Seal the painted tile with a clear acrylic sealer to protect from moisture damage.
With the tile painted, you can easily apply a fresh, modern color. Some popular options include soft gray, light blue, sage green, or antiqued white.
Replacing Yellow Bathroom Tile
For a more permanent update, replacing the tile is an option. Here’s an overview of what’s involved:
– Remove old tile – Carefully pry off existing backsplash and wall tile with a putty knife or chisel. Be sure to wear safety goggles.
– Prepare the surface – Once old tile is removed, scrape off any remaining bits of adhesive and grout. Fill any gouges or holes with drywall compound.
– Lay new tile – Apply thinset mortar to the wall surface and press new bathroom tile into place. Use plastic tile spacers for even grout lines.
– Grout and seal – After tile sets, apply grout between tiles and wipe away excess. Seal grout lines with a waterproof grout sealer.
– Add finishing touches – Caulk where tile meets the tub, floor, or countertops. Apply a fresh coat of paint above the new tile.
Choosing a soft neutral tile color like white, light gray, or almond is an easy way to tone down the yellow while still keeping things light and bright. Subway tiles or mosaic sheets offer an affordable tile wall makeover.
Updating Yellow Bathroom Walls
Along with tile, painting over bright yellow walls is a fast and easy update:
– Preparation – Fill any holes or cracks with spackle. Remove switch plates and vent covers. Use painter’s tape to mask off ceilings, baseboards, and trim.
– Primer – Coat walls with a high adhesion primer/sealer. This helps paint adhere and prevents bleed-through.
– Paint – Opt for semi-gloss or high-gloss sheen to stand up to moisture. Ivory, light gray, sage green, or soft blue make great alternative wall colors.
– Accent wall – Keep one yellow wall as an accent if you don’t want to eliminate yellow entirely but still want something more subtle.
– Ceiling – Painting the ceiling a crisp white helps ground the space and keeps things from feeling too yellow.
Take your time prepping and applying primer for the best long-lasting results. Don’t forget the trim, ceiling, and closet!
Yellow Bathroom D├ęcor & Accessory Ideas
Accessories and decor are another easy way to tone down all that yellow:
– Rugs – Layer a fluffy white, gray, or neutral rug on top of existing yellow bath mats.
– Shower curtain – Swap out a yellow shower curtain for a subdued solid color or whimsical print.
– Towels – Introduce bath towels and hand towels in colors like gray, seafoam, white, or light blue.
– Plants – Add some fresh greens with potted plants, or a vase of bamboo sticks or eucalyptus.
– Wall art – Hang some black and white botanical prints or abstract art to complement a toned down color scheme.
– Mirror frame – Freshen up an old yellow framed mirror with a coat of trendy black or antiqued bronze paint.
– Storage – Neutral baskets and bins help organize essentials while introducing new hues.
Updating just a few key items makes a big visual impact while still keeping some of your favorite yellow accents.
Tips for a Soothing, Spa-Like Yellow Bathroom
Toning down yellow doesn’t mean you have to eliminate it completely. Here are tips for achieving a relaxing spa vibe while keeping yellow as an accent:
– Soft buttery yellow – Choose a warm, mellow yellow like meadowlark or lemon chiffon rather than bright daffodil.
– Green accents – Complement yellow with natural green accents, like sage painted trim, green candles, or fluffy bath towels in muted olive.
– Neutral walls – Paint walls a soothing neutral beige, gray, or ivory to ground the space.
– White ceilings – A bright white ceiling keeps things airy and prevents too much yellow.
– Natural textures – Incorporate some warm wood furnishings, rattan baskets, and raw stone or concrete accents.
– Soothing art – Black and white botanical prints or abstract watercolor prints enhance the zen spa vibe.
– Plants – Simple succulents, bamboo, or eucalyptus add an organic, earthy feel.
– Gold accents – Brass fixtures, gold mirrors, and metallic accents complement yellow in a chic way.
Editing yellow rather than removing it altogether retains the cheerful essence while toning down the intensity.
Paint Color Ideas for Toning Down Yellow Bathrooms
When it comes time to repaint your yellow bathroom walls or tile, consider these versatile paint colors to create a tranquil, inviting space:
| Gray | Soft gray is relaxingly neutral. Try Foggy Day or Silver Strand. |
| Green | Sage green reads as a fresh neutral. Options like Jojoba or Glade Green work well. |
| Blue | Light blue with gray undertones like Celestial or Dewdrop creates a calming backdrop. |
| Antiqued White | Off-white with gray undertones pairs nicely with existing yellow accents. |
| Beige | Warm almond or tan beiges like Cliffside or Creamy work with yellow’s undertones. |
Paint just one or two walls in a color like light gray or sage green to balance out existing yellow tones.
Takeaway Summary
Bright all-yellow bathrooms can start to feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are many easy and affordable ways to tone down the yellow without a full overhaul:
– Paint over yellow tile using a tile paint system. Soft grays, blues, and greens work well.
– For permanent change, install new neutral tile in white, almond or gray shades.
– Coat vivid yellow walls with a few coats of tranquil, muted paint colors like light gray or blue.
– Freshen up the yellow with white or neutral bath accessories like rugs, towels, shower curtains, wall art and more.
– Retain yellow as an accent on one wall or in accessories for a cheerful touch.
– Combine yellow with calm green and natural textures for a cozy, welcoming spa bathroom vibe.
With some strategic updates like paint and accessories, you can give your yellow bathroom a relaxing makeover on a budget. Don’t be afraid to have fun mixing and matching new colors and prints to create a look you love.
