Choosing a color scheme for a bathroom remodel or redecoration project can be an exciting yet challenging process. The bathroom is a space that is very personal and where people spend meaningful time on self-care routines. At the same time, it’s a functional space where the design should promote cleanliness and tranquility. With so many options for colors, tiles, cabinets, and more, how do you choose a palette that is on-trend yet suited to your personal style and everyday needs?
In this in-depth look at popular bathroom colors, we’ll examine current color trends for bathrooms and help you identify timeless, elegant colors to create your ideal sanctuary-like space. You’ll get tips on pairing paint colors with tiles, flooring, cabinetry, and accessories. We’ll also look at how color choice can influence the mood and functionality of the room. Let’s explore some of today’s most popular bathroom colors to find your perfect match!
Why Color Choice Matters in Bathrooms
While bathrooms are often smaller spaces, don’t underestimate the impact your color scheme can have! The right hues will make the space feel fresh and inviting, while the wrong ones can make a bathroom feel dated, dark, or clinical. Here are some key reasons getting the color right matters:
- Influences mood – Some colors like blues and greens have calming, spa-like effects, while reds and oranges feel energizing. The color scheme impacts how you feel when using the space.
- Makes cleaning easier – Lighter, brighter colors tend to conceal dirt and grime better than darker hues that show every spot and watermark.
- Creates an illusion – Cool tones can make bathrooms feel more spacious, while warm earth tones feel cozy and soft.
- Reflects personality – Vibrant colors and patterns let you customize the space, while neutral hues provide a clean backdrop.
- Provides continuity – Tying together paint, tile, cabinetry, and accents into a cohesive color scheme pulls the look together.
Now that you know why color is important, let’s look at some of the most popular palettes and colors for today’s bathrooms!
Top Bathroom Color Trends
Bathroom color trends go far beyond basic whites these days! Here are some of the most popular modern color schemes for bathrooms:
Earth Tones
Natural earthy hues like warm beiges, taupes, tans, and greys are ubiquitous in bathrooms today. These colors connect to nature and provide a soothing, spa-like vibe. Pair earth tones with white trim, tiles, and accessories for a timeless and tranquil look.
Bold Primaries
Vibrant primary colors are having a major moment in bathrooms! Think bright reds, cobalt blues, and grassy greens on walls or as focal points. Paired with white subway tiles, they create an eye-catching, lively look. Primaries work best in modern or contemporary-style bathrooms.
Sleek Grays and Blacks
For contemporary, stylish bathrooms, different shades of gray, from charcoal to silver, are popular. Pair them with crisp or dark blacks on tiles, vanities, and hardware. Keep walls bright to avoid a cave-like effect.
Antique Inspired
Vintage color schemes, like antique whites, soft sage greens, and muted terracottas are big for farmhouse or cottage-style bathrooms. Accent colors are kept soft and muted for a timeworn, welcoming effect.
Spa Blues and Greens
From relaxing sky blues to rejuvenating seafoams and sages, water-inspired colors create a soothing retreat. Use aquas and greens on walls or accessories and pair them with white, gray, or wood tones.
Most Popular Paint Colors for Bathrooms
When it comes to paint, it’s all about choosing the right undertone for your color scheme. Cool-toned grays and blues complement tiles, stone, and glass while warm greige or tan paint colors pair well with wood cabinetry and fixtures. Here are some of today’s most popular bathroom paint colors:
| Paint Color | Undertone | Works Well With |
|---|---|---|
| Snowbound White | Cool white | Grays, metallics, marble |
| Gray Cashmere | Warm greige | Wood tones, beiges, terracotta |
| Silver Sage | Slightly green-tinged gray | Cream tiles, white vanities, natural stone |
| Hazy Skies | Pale blue-gray | White, chrome/metallic, blue mosaic tiles |
| Maritime Gray | Cool bluish gray | Crisp whites, grays, light blues |
One tip when choosing paint – select lighter, neutral hues for smaller bathrooms to make the space feel open and airy. Deeper colors can feel overwhelming in a tiny bathroom.
Most On-Trend Tile Colors
The tile you choose for floors, walls, and shower enclosures can make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your bathroom. Here are some of the most fashionable tile colors right now:
- White: Classic subway tiles, hexagonal penny tiles, and glossy rectangular tiles in clean whites are timeless and always in style.
- Gray: From light dove grays to darker charcoal slate tiles, gray across all shades adds stylish flair.
- Beige and Tan: Natural stone looks in travertine, sandstone, and creamy limestone inject organic warmth.
- Black: For modern bathrooms, black penny rounds, rectangular tiles, or porcelain tiles make a dramatic statement.
- Bold Brights: Emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red glass, ceramic, or porcelain tiles create pops of color.
Keep in mind scale and placement of tile too – smaller mosaic tiles expand spaces, large tiles or dark tiles on floors can weigh a room down. Limit bold tiles to shower enclosures or as accents.
On-Trend Cabinet and Vanity Colors
Your vanity and cabinetry play a supporting role but still impact the overall aesthetic. Neutral and wood tones are having a moment:
- White: Crisp, bright white cabinetry refreshes a space and pairs with any color scheme.
- Shades of Gray: Charcoal cabinets make a modern statement, while lighter grays work universally.
- Wood Tones: Stained oak, driftwood, and walnut-toned vanities provide natural warmth.
- Black: Glossy black cabinets anchor contemporary spaces and add chic drama.
Look for vanities and cabinets in mixed materials too, like wood cabinets and marble counters or sleek lacquered cabinet fronts with metal hardware.
Factors that Impact Color Choice
Keep the following factors in mind as you choose your color palette to ensure it suits your space and lifestyle:
- Lighting: North or east-facing rooms may require brighter colors to compensate for less natural light.
- Existing features: Work with existing fixtures like tile floors or bathtubs and choose complementary colors.
- Personal style: Make sure colors reflect your personality and decor preferences.
- Size of space: Bold colors work best in larger bathrooms, while neutral tones keep smaller spaces feeling open.
Looking at photos of bathrooms you love will help crystallize your preferred color family before you commit to a specific hue.
Tips for Choosing Bathroom Colors
Ready to choose paint, tile, and cabinet colors for your bathroom redo? Keep these tips in mind:
- Select two or three colors maximum for your palette. One dominant color, one secondary, and an accent shade work well.
- Layer neutral tones like white, beige or gray on big surfaces, then use splashes of color through accessories, towels, artwork etc.
- Ensure proper lighting and ventilation. Dark moody colors won’t work if the bathroom feels gloomy.
- Pick timeless rather than trendy colors. You don’t want to redecorate soon because colors feel dated.
- Visualize the entire scheme before purchasing. Bring home paint swatches and tile samples to see the full effect.
- Take your existing features into account so new choices complement them.
Inspiring Color Scheme Examples
Need some visual examples of popular bathroom color palettes? Here are a few inspiring ideas:
Earthy Rustic
Sand and cream tiles paired with sage green walls and natural wood vanity
Scandinavian White
Crisp white paint and tile with black accents and copper details
Romantic Cottage
Robin’s egg blue walls with antique white wainscoting and distressed wood vanity
Mid Century Modern
Gray and white geometric tile with pops of sunshine yellow and wood cabinetry
Urban Industrial
Exposed brick wall, black pipes, gray floors, white subway tile, and black vanity
Conclusion
Creating a color scheme for your bathroom requires balancing color trends with timeless hues, your personal taste, and the existing architectural features. By keeping the space’s size and lighting in mind, you can craft a palette that is cohesive, stylish, and uniquely you.
Earth tones like beige and gray remain popular for their soothing, neutral effect. Cool tones of white, gray, and blue help bathrooms feel serene and clean. Pops of vibrant red, green, or indigo enliven modern bathrooms. Ultimately, the most important guide is choosing colors you respond to on an emotional level – hues that help you relax, refresh, and reset.
With some careful planning and experimentation to find your perfect palette, you’ll have a bathroom retreat that reflects the latest trends while showcasing your unique style.
