Choosing paint colors for your bathroom can be an overwhelming process. With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to know which direction to go in. However, there are several tried-and-true paint colors that look absolutely stunning in bathrooms.
These 7 colors not only complement the fixtures and tiles beautifully, but they also create an inviting, spa-like ambiance that you’ll love. Read on to discover the best paint colors to make your bathroom shine!
Soothing Green
Green is a calming color that evokes feelings of renewal and tranquility. For that reason, it’s one of the most popular paint choices for bathrooms.
Sage green, mint green, and other soft green hues pair nicely with white subway tiles, marble countertops, and chrome or nickel fixtures. The green brings out the veining in marble beautifully. These colors also complement vintage or farmhouse styles well.
If your bathroom gets ample natural light, consider a vivid green like emerald or lime. The saturation of the color will make the space feel bright and cheerful. Deep forest greens are dramatic yet relaxing. Try painting just one accent wall in a rich green to give the room some personality.
No matter which shade you choose, green is one of the best paint colors for bathrooms looking to cultivate a relaxing vibe.
Why Green Works
- Evokes feelings of tranquility and renewal
- Pairs nicely with white, marble, and natural materials
- Bright greens make the space feel cheerful
- Dark greens feel dramatic yet relaxing
- Complements vintage, farmhouse, and modern styles
Tips for Green Bathrooms
- Choose soft greens like sage or mint for a subtle touch
- Use vivid greens like emerald in well-lit rooms
- Paint just one accent wall in a deep forest green
- Add green towels, plants, and accessories to tie it together
Classic Blue
A deep shade of blue might not be the first color that comes to mind for a bathroom. However, dark blues like navy, cobalt, and ultramarine can give bathrooms a stunning, spa-like ambiance.
Paired with crisp white trim, towel bars, and subway tiles, dark blue walls feel rich and elegant. The cool tones also evoke feelings of tranquility, perfect for a bathroom oasis. Metallic accents like chrome, nickel, or brushed gold fixtures really pop against a dark blue backdrop.
Lighter shades of blue like powder blue, sky blue, and robin’s egg blue are softer but still splendid bathroom hues. These icy blues bring to mind calming spa waters. Blues with grey undertones also work well.
Overall, the serenity and elegance of blue make it an exceptional color choice for bathrooms. Don’t be afraid to go for a dramatic navy or bold cobalt – you’ll be amazed at the transformation.
Why Blue Works
- Deep blues feel rich, elegant, and spa-like
- Complements white tiles, marble, chrome, and nickel
- Evokes feelings of tranquility and serenity
- Lighter blues like powder or sky blue feel soft and calming
- Greys blues are relaxing and sophisticated
Tips for Blue Bathrooms
- Use navy or cobalt blue for drama on the walls
- Add metallic accents like chrome or nickel against the blue
- Paint ceiling robin’s egg blue for an airy feel
- Incorporate blue towels, rugs, and accessories
- Consider grey-blues for a sophisticated look
Earthy Terracotta
For a bathroom with a warm, earthy aesthetic, consider a terracotta or burnt orange paint color. Terracotta instantly conjures up images of terra cotta tile, clay pots, adobe houses, and desert sunsets – all things that feel organic, grounding, and elemental.
Set against white marble counters and floors, a terracotta bathroom feels wonderfully harmonious. You can lean into the earthy ambiance by accessorizing with woven baskets, rattan mats, driftwood frames, and greenery.
For a brighter, sunnier style, look to lighter shades of orange or peach. A coral or peach bathroom with Mediterranean blue tile feels vibrant and cheery. Terracotta works with both cool and warm color schemes.
No matter which hue you choose, orange earth tones add a distinctly warm, grounded, and inviting feel that’s well suited for a bathroom retreat.
Why Terracotta Works
- Evokes an earthy, grounded, organic aesthetic
- Complements marble, greenery, woven and rattan textures
- Feels warm, inviting, and elemental
- Bright orange and peach feel cheerful and sunny
- Pairs well with both cool and warm color schemes
Tips for Terracotta Bathrooms
- Use terracotta on walls with white marble and greenery
- Incorporate natural textures like baskets, rattan, and driftwood
- Try lighter peach or coral paired with Mediterranean blue tile
- Add terra-cotta colored towels and candles as accents
- Use creams and browns in a monochromic color scheme
Sophisticated Black
While it may sound unusual, black is actually an incredibly chic and sophisticated color choice for bathrooms. Deep charcoal or jet black walls serve as a dramatic, eye-catching backdrop.
Black makes an excellent color for highlighting modern bathroom features like rainfall shower heads, soaking tubs, clean lines, and minimalist styling. By letting those items take center stage, black walls accentuate the bathroom’s striking features.
To keep black bathrooms from feeling too dark and closing in, use high-contrast white on tile, marble, trim and fixtures. Metallics also pop beautifully against black, so bring in silver, gold, brass and bronze accents. Crisp white wainscoting can break up black walls nicely.
The overall effect is lavish, opulent and current. Black bathrooms are ideal for those looking to make a contemporary design statement.
Why Black Works
- Makes a dramatic, eye-catching backdrop
- Highlights modern features like rainfall showers
- Lets bathroom elements take center stage
- Feels lavish, opulent and contemporary
- Use crisp white tile, trim and metals as contrast
Tips for Black Bathrooms
- Use black on the lower half of walls or just one accent wall
- Add wainscoting or chair rail molding in white
- Incorporate brass, bronze, silver and gold accents
- Use black towels, mirrors and accessories to tie it together
- Add pops of color with artwork, flowers or greenery
Chic Brass
Brass finishes are trending in bathrooms, so why not carry that glam look into your paint choice? A shiny brass or metallic gold instantly dresses up a bathroom.
Dark antiqued brass evokes an old Hollywood feeling. Pair it with black accents and dramatic lighting for a moody, sultry style. Polished brass or gold feels luxe and elegant – think sprawling soaking tubs, glittering chandeliers, and gilded mirrors.
Surrounding brass paint with cool neutrals like white or light grey keeps the overall look feeling refined instead of ostentatious. For a touch of contrast, try wood cabinets in a dark espresso finish.
Let the brass finish shine by keeping the walls and decor simple. This rich paint color makes a stunning statement all on its own.
Why Brass Works
- On-trend metallic that feels glamorous
- Dark antiqued brass is moody and sultry
- Polished brass looks luxe and elegant
- Use cool neutrals like white and grey to keep it refined
- Makes a stunning statement as an accent wall
Tips for Brass Bathrooms
- Use dark antiqued brass for an old Hollywood feel
- Try polished brass with marble, chandeliers, and gilded mirrors
- Incorporate black fixtures, towels, and accessories
- Add wood cabinets in a dark espresso finish
- Allow the brass to stand out on its own
Serene Grey
Grey gets a bad rap as a boring paint color, but the right shade can give your bathroom an airy, serene feel. Light greys and blues like fog, rain, cinder, and horizon make beautiful bathroom hues.
These relaxed, subtle colors complement marble, concrete, and stone surfaces nicely. Try different shades of grey on each wall to add soft contrast and dimension.
Pair grey walls with crisp white molding, tile, cabinets, and fixtures for a clean and soothing look. Incorporate natural texture with rattan baskets, jute rugs, and driftwood accents. Finally, add pops of color with towels, flowers and art.
Grey bathrooms feel tranquil without sacrificing style. The cool, subtle color scheme encourages relaxation.
Why Grey Works
- Light greys feel airy, soothing and relaxed
- Complements marble, concrete, stone and wood
- Try different shades on each wall for dimension
- Crisp white tile, cabinets, etc. keeps it looking fresh
- Incorporate natural textures for interest
- Tranquil without sacrificing style
Tips for Grey Bathrooms
- Use soft greys like fog, rain, cinder and horizon
- Add contrast with cool grey-blues and warm greys
- Mix different grey shades throughout the space
- Add texture with woven baskets, jute rugs, etc.
- Use white fixtures, tile, trim and accessories
- Add pops of color with towels, flowers and art
Vintage Blush Pink
Pink may be an unexpected choice for a bathroom, but it can give the space a soft, elegant feel. Subtle vintage pinks like blush, antique rose, and mauve create a romantic, feminine aesthetic.
These dusky pinks look beautiful paired with marble, brass accents, and vintage styling. Try painting just one wall pink to serve as an accent. Surround it with cool white or grey walls for balance. Add ornate gold mirrors, crystal lighting, and antique vanities.
For a brighter, more playful look, use pale ballet pinks or carnation pinks. Surround these with white wainscoting, tiles, and moldings for crisp contrast. Pink bathrooms are charming and unexpected.
Why Pink Works
- Vintage pinks like blush and mauve feel romantic
- Lovely paired with marble, brass and ornate accents
- Use as an accent wall against white or grey
- Ballet pinks feel playful and feminine
- Unexpected color that’s soft and charming
Tips for Pink Bathrooms
- Use dusky pinks like blush and rose as accents
- Add marble counters, brass fixtures, ornate mirrors
- Paint just one wall pink against white or grey
- Try pale ballet pinks for a playful look
- Add floral art, towels and accessorizes
Warm Wood Tones
Painting your bathroom a natural wood tone gives it a warm, organic feel. Caffe, fawn, tan, cedar and khaki evoke feelings of coziness and comfort. These neutral earth tones complement stone, marble, and greenery beautifully.
Try painting the lower half of walls in a wood tone, keeping upper walls bright white for contrast. Or use wood-toned paints just on accent walls to add warmth without going overboard.
Pair wood wall colors with touches of black and cream for a harmonious look. Incorporate natural materials like woven baskets, timber shelving, wicker lampshades, jute rugs and framed dried botanicals.
Wood-toned paints keep bathrooms feeling grounded and inviting. The earthy color scheme promotes tranquility and wellness.
Why Wood Tones Work
- Warm, organic colors like cedar and khaki
- Complements stone, marble, greenery and timber
- Use just on lower walls or accent walls
- Black and cream make harmonious pairings
- Natural materials reinforce the earthy vibe
Tips for Wood Toned Bathrooms
- Use cedar, tan, caffe or khaki paint colors
- Pair with black fixtures and cream tiles
- Paint just lower half of walls or one accent wall
- Add woven baskets, wicker shades, jute rugs, etc.
- Incorporate live plants and dried botanical art
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect paint color for your bathroom ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, some shades simply have a stunning effect in this space.
Soothing greens, elegant blues, earthy terracottas, sophisticated black, glamorous brass, serene greys, charming pinks and cozy wood tones are all excellent options.
You really can’t go wrong using any of these classic hues. Just keep in mind the tone and ambiance you want to cultivate, choose colors and materials that complement each other, and allow your personality to shine through in the decor and accents.
Before you know it, you’ll have a breathtaking bathroom retreat you can’t wait to relax in. With one of these 7 stunning paint colors setting the foundation, you’re well on your way to bathroom bliss!
Frequently Asked Questions
What color goes well with white bathroom tiles?
Soft green, blue, grey, tan, and wood tones pair beautifully with crisp white subway tiles. Vivid green, navy blue, and brass accents also pop nicely against white.
What is the most relaxing color for a bathroom?
Green and blue are considered the most relaxing bathroom colors. Sage green, seafoam, sky blue, and navy evoke feelings of serenity. Grey, tan, and neutral wood tones are soothing as well.
What color makes a small bathroom look bigger?
Light, cool hues like mint green, ice blue, light grey, and pale pink optically enlarge small bathrooms. Use these on walls, tile, and fixtures. Add mirrors and reflective metallic accents too.
What color should I avoid in a small bathroom?
Avoid dark colors like black, charcoal grey, burgundy, forest green in small bathrooms, as these can make the space feel closed in. Stick to light, bright, airy colors instead.
What is the most popular bathroom paint color?
Classic white and soft grey remain the most popular paint choices for bathrooms. However, green, blue, and earth tones are also common and bring more personality.