Adding color to your bathroom can seem daunting, but with some careful planning and bold design choices, you can create a stylish, colorful bathroom that expresses your personality. A splash of color in the right places can liven up even the drabbest bathroom. Follow these tips to dare to add vibrant, eye-catching color to your bathroom in ways that are creative yet cohesive.
Choosing Colors for Your Bathroom
When deciding which colors to use in your bathroom, consider the size of the space, the amount of natural light, and your personal style preferences. Here are some popular color scheme ideas to inspire you:
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors like blue and orange or green and red create high-contrast, vibrant bathrooms full of visual interest. Place these rich hues on towels, rugs, shower curtains and wall art. Just be sure not to overdo it – too much contrasting color can feel chaotic.
Analogous Colors
Analogous schemes use colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, like blue, blue-green and green. This creates a soothing, harmonious look. Analogous colors work well in bathrooms with spa-like sensibilities.
Neutrals with Pops of Color
Keep your bathroom feeling airy and spacious with mostly neutral whites, grays or beiges. Then weave in bold punches of color with towels, flowers, mirrors or wall art. This is ideal for small bathrooms.
Nature-Inspired Palettes
Earthy, organic color choices like sage green, sky blue, and terra cotta evoke the tranquility of nature. This is perfect for rustic or cottage-style bathrooms.
Bold and Vibrant
Make a statement by covering your bathroom in vivid colors like emerald green, bright coral and deep purple. This dramatic approach is best for large bathrooms. Keep accessories and accents to a minimum to prevent sensory overload.
Consider Color Psychology
Some colors, like blue and green, have calming, relaxing effects, which is ideal for a spa bathroom. Warm colors like red, orange and yellow are energizing and great for a morning bathroom. Cooler colors tend to make spaces look larger.
Add Color Through Paint
Painting your bathroom walls or ceiling is a simple but high-impact way to incorporate color. Be sure to use high-quality bathroom paint that can withstand humidity. Think about how paint color will interact with the lighting in your bathroom. North-facing and windowless bathrooms may appear darker and could benefit from lighter, brighter colors. Here are some inspiring ways to use paint color in your bathroom:
Paint One Wall a Bold Hue
Painting just one wall an accent color avoids the sensory overload of a completely colorful bathroom. Opt for glossy finishes on the colored wall to add depth. Place your bathtub, sink vanity or toilet in front of this wall so they really pop.
Ombre or Gradient Walls
Ombre walls fade from light to dark or one color to another for a visually striking, on-trend look. Blue fading to green is a popular bathroom choice. Keep other details simple so the gradient wall is the star.
Patterned or Textured Paint
Textured or patterned paint adds intricate visual interest to bathroom walls. Options include sponge-painted textures, Venetian plaster finishes and moroccan-style patterns. Metallic sheens also add subtle flair.
Paint the Ceiling a Dramatic Color
Painting your ceiling a bold color is an unexpected way to add drama. Deep blue or green ceilings mimic the colors found outdoors, bringing a sense of tranquility. A painted ceiling also draws the eye upward to make bathrooms feel airy.
Paint or Wrap Bathroom Furniture
If builtin bathroom cabinetry or vanities look dated, inject color by repainting them or wrapping them in bold wallpaper or contact paper. This is a rental-friendly and budget-conscious way to create a color splash.
Use Colorful Bathroom Tiles
Replacing bathroom tiles or adding an accent strip of mosaic tile is a great way to work vibrant colors into the space. Consider material, size, layout and grout color when selecting bathroom tiles with color.
Vibrant Wall Tiles
Turn your shower or bathtub enclosure into a stunning focal point with floor-to-ceiling saturated tile. Subway tiles, fish scale tiles, handpainted tiles and moroccan tiles all pack visual punch. Contrasting grout adds even more interest.
Bold Bathroom Flooring
A colorful floor makes a strong style statement in any bathroom. Voids, tiles, laminate and vinyl flooring now come in every color imaginable. Just confirm any flooring can withstand moisture before installing in bathrooms.
Vibrant Accent Stripes
Add a horizontal or vertical accent stripe of mosaic tiles in a contrasting color. This affordable project adds big color impact in a small dose, working well even in modest bathrooms. Place the tile stripe behind sinks, tubs and toilets.
Coordinating Shower Niche Tiles
Tiling your shower niche in the same color as your accent wall tiles pulls the whole space together. Use complementary colors for the niche tiles and shower floor tiles to create a color-blocked look.
Add Color with Bathroom Furniture
Don’t overlook the power of bathroom furniture and storage pieces when considering how to incorporate more color. Painting, wrapping or buying already-colored vanities, cabinets and furnishings injects life into bathrooms.
Choose a Colorful Vanity
A colored vanity is the bathroom equivalent of statement art. Go for an unexpected hue like emerald green, deep plum or bright yellow. If your bathroom is small, stick with lighter vanity colors to avoid overwhelming the space.
Paint or Wrap Cabinets
For a quick color infusion, paint or wallpaper bathroom cabinets in a color that complements your wall tile. Use high-gloss paint for a sleek, polished look. Contact paper also adds color to cabinet surfaces cheaply and temporarily.
Colorful Bathroom Furnishings
Consider bold colors when selecting bathroom furnishings like stools, storage ottomans, freestanding shelves and wall-mounted cabinets. Mixing materials like woods, metallics and lacquers adds eclectic flair.
Vibrant Bathroom Hardware
Update the look of your bathroom by switching out dated hardware for colorful cabinet knobs, pulls, hinges and faucets. Add whimsy with acrylic handles in bright colors. Matte black and brass finishes also feel fresh and contemporary.
Work Color Into Bathroom Accessories
The secret to a harmonious colorful bathroom is decorating with accessories that contain accent shades used elsewhere in the space. Here are ideas for accessories that add pops of color.
Bright or Patterned Shower Curtains
A brightly hued or printed shower curtain packs a huge decorative punch. Look for graphic prints, creative designs by independent artists, or soothing abstract color patterns. Hang your curtain to complement your wall and floor tiles.
Bold Bathroom Rugs
Scour rug retailers for bath mats, area rugs and accent rugs in colors matching your towels, tiles or walls. Rugs underfoot add comfort and visual interest. Choose cotton, chenille or vinyl rugs to withstand bathroom moisture and humidity.
Vibrant Towels and Washcloths
Colored towels instantly energize bathrooms. Get a set of towels in one accent color or collect a rainbow of plush, colorful towels for a spa-like feel. Fold and display them for a pop of color.
Patterned Shower Curtain Liners
Most shower curtains need clear liners to protect the interior from moisture. Liven these up with colorful patterned liner fabric featuring your accent bathroom shades. These liners get changed up easily.
Soap Dispensers and Canisters
Inject color into your sink area with soap dispensers, toothbrush holders and bath accessory canisters in colors pulled from the rest of your bathroom. Glass, acrylic and metal containers add sheen.
Wall Décor and Artwork
Hang art, wall prints, shelves or frames bearing colors reflective of your overall bathroom color motif. Watercolor paintings, collages, photos, framed maps all breathe personality into bathrooms.
Creative Touches of Color
Think outside the box for unexpected ways to splash color around your bathroom. These unique colorful touches will make your bathroom stand out.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Install LED strip lighting underneath bathroom vanities and illuminate surfaces or walls with different accent colors. Set lights to glow, strobe, dim or change colors.
Colorful Mirror Frames
Framing out your bathroom mirrors adds architectural interest and also opportunity for color. Choose wide, chunky frames painted in bold hues. Or frame mirrors with saturated tiles or wallpaper strips.
Vibrant Faux Greenery
Add bright faux ferns, succulents or florals in colorful vases to inject organic energy and vivid color into bathrooms, especially those with limited natural light.
Window Film and Glass Tinting
Colorful window films that mimic stained glass are removable ways to cast colored light around your bathroom. These look especially bold in bathrooms with sunlight exposure.
Vintage Colorful Plumbing
Swap out standard white pipes for vintage-style plumbing in brilliant colors like red, teal or golden yellow. Exposed colorful pipes act like functional art.
Dos and Don’ts for Colorful Bathrooms
When executing a colorful bathroom design, keep these dos and don’ts in mind:
DO:
- Select colors you genuinely love to ensure a cohesive look you’ll enjoy long-term.
- Pair loud colors with neutral walls and simple cabinets to give your eyes a rest.
- Consider lighting when selecting colors, as some hues might appear darker or brighter at different times of day.
- Select durable materials like high-quality vinyl tiles and moisture-resistant wall paints.
- Incorporate multiple splashes of an accent color in different areas of the bathroom for visual harmony.
DON’T:
- Choose more than 3 main colors to avoid overwhelming the senses.
- Forget to factor in soft goods like towels and rugs which introduce more colors.
- Use loud colors in very small bathrooms which can make spaces feel overstimulating and smaller.
- Choose very dark colors for bathrooms with minimal natural light sources.
- Select colors that clash with the style of your home and fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Color to Bathrooms
Some common questions people have when planning colorful yet cohesive bathrooms include:
How much color should you use in a small bathroom?
In a small bathroom, limit yourself to one or two bold accent colors maximum. Paint the remaining walls a light, neutral color to keep things airy. Add pops of color through towels, accessories, artwork and other details.
What colors make a bathroom look bigger?
Light, cool hues like soft blues, greens and grays visually expand bathroom spaces. Avoid dark paint colors or intense, saturated hues in tiny bathrooms. Instead, use them sparingly as accents.
What paint finish is best for bathrooms?
Eggshell and satin paint finishes withstand bathroom moisture better than flat paints. Semi-gloss is the most wipeable, moisture-resistant finish, ideal behind sinks and in shower enclosures.
Should you paint the ceiling a different color than walls?
Yes, a ceiling painted in a lighter color than the walls can give bathrooms a more expansive, airy feel. Deep blue or green ceilings also mimic being outdoors. Just avoid glossy ceiling paints which show imperfections.
How do you add an accent wall with tile?
Select a bold complementary tile color that contrasts the rest of your bathroom color scheme and covers just one wall, like behind the tub or sink. Tiles with interesting shapes, patterns and textures work best for accent walls.
How do you mix and match colors in a bathroom?
Use a base neutral color like white on cabinetry, walls and the ceiling. Then layer in 2-3 accent colors through items spread around the space like towels, rugs, wall hangings and shower curtains. Repeat accent colors to tie everything together.
Conclusion
Adding vibrant color to your bathroom imparts energy, character and style when done thoughtfully. Limit bold hues to details like tiles, wall paints and linens to avoid a cluttered look. Echo accent colors throughout the bathroom for visual harmony. With the right combination of colors, patterns and textures, your bathroom can be a relaxing oasis that expresses your personality. Dare to incorporate the trending colors you love while keeping the overall vibe soothing yet chic. The result will be a colorful bathroom retreat that you adore.
